William Watson never believed in ghosts. But the legend of 57 Irish railroad workers buried in a common grave has haunted the Springfield, Pennsylvania resident and history professor since the day he discovered the story of Duffy's Cut some years ago. Watson, the chairman of history and politics at Immaculata University in Chester County, was going through his grandfather's … [Read more...] about Ghosts Beneath the Rails
Archives for June 2004
Irish Eye on Hollywood
Though the last James Bond film Die Another Day was a smash hit, some feel Navan-born star Pierce Brosnan is getting a bit old to play the dashing agent. At this point, it's unclear who will star in the next Bond pic. Asked recently about the ongoing uncertainty, Brosnan was quite blunt. "It's nowhere near a done deal. We've reached an impasse with the producers. They seem … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood
The First Irish American Olympic Champion
Born in South Boston October 28, 1868 James Brendan Connolly was the sixth son of childhood sweethearts John Connolly and Ann O'Donnell from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. But in 1895, Jim Connolly's parents were far from pleased. At the age of 27 their son gave them a great sense of pride when he entered Harvard to study engineering. Less than a year later, he … [Read more...] about The First Irish American Olympic Champion
Ireland: Culture and Heritage
When summer comes, Ireland's in her glory. Lazy sunsets linger for hours in a softly glowing night sky. Every nook and cranny of the land turns lush and green. Roses ramble wildly up cottage walls and over stone stiles. Towering hedgerows turn country lanes into fragrant flowering tunnels. Music wafts on breezes everywhere. Fairs and festivals spring up like mushrooms after a … [Read more...] about Ireland: Culture and Heritage
Mothers United
Tara Stackpole read Football for Dummies from cover to cover. She needed to know the difference between a fullback and a halfback. Her husband, Timmy, had been a football player on the FDNY team, a coach for the kids' league and a huge sports fan. Tara wanted to get up to speed on the intricacies of the game so that she could be more than just a fan at her kids' games, and just … [Read more...] about Mothers United