He was a member of the Protestant ascendancy of Ireland, the son of a Dublin coach maker who had inherited property in Bordenstown, County Kildare.  There were persistent rumors that he may have been the illegitimate son of the godfather for whom he was named, the cousin of the Viscount Kilwarden and a prominent member of parliament.  He was a member of the established Church … [Read more...] about Wolfe Tone, “The Father of Irish Republicanism”

A famous journalist once observed that “Disinformation is most effective in a very narrow context.” He knew that when events, especially historical events, are taken out of context their meaning and significance can be completely distorted. Such is the case with the recent fascination of the media with the events concerning the NY Draft Riots of 1863. These events are the back … [Read more...] about The Other Side of the Copper: Irish Americans and the NY Draft Riots

When someone wants to quickly set an atmosphere of “Irishness”, whether it is a major motion picture or a local Irish restaurant, they invariably use the same element: music.  Music is an essential element of Celtic life; the harper, piper and the fiddler holding a place of honor and esteem.  Wherever the Irish have traveled they have taken their music with them as one of their … [Read more...] about Chief Francis O’Neill, a “Reel” Irish American Hero

As the July 4th holiday approaches, sadly as with many of our other holidays, the true meaning of the day is lost amidst ballgames, cookouts, and fireworks. We forget that in that hot July of 1776 fifty six men came together to pledge their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” to form a new country where “all men are created equal” and entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit … [Read more...] about The Irish (American) Rebels

There once was a time when Irish giants roamed the earth; their feats of strength and courage becoming legendary. However, these were not the mythical Cuchulain, or Finn McCool; they were real men who pushed the boundary of what was thought to be humanly possible. They were known as “the Irish Whales” for their size and strength and they dominated the strength events of the … [Read more...] about Matthew McGrath, ‘The Prince of Whales’