Irish America
Irish America
How a veteran of WWII spent his post-war life helping other vets. Harry Donovan and two other sailors labored in darkness, setting smoke pots on the water to prepare for an island invasion the next morning. In daylight, billowing smoke would surround Allied ships and prevent Japanese pilots from locating and bombing them. Their task completed, the men headed back to … [Read more...] about Harry Donovan: The Grateful Veteran
A pilgrim-walking route, linking Cashel in County Tipperary and Ardmore in County Waterford, follows the trail of St. Declan who, in the late 5th century, left his monastery in Waterford to walk to Cashel to meet with future patron saint, Patrick. Ireland’s south east, celebrated for its historical Viking ties and impressive hurling record, now has another claim to fame: St. … [Read more...] about Let the Road Rise Up to Meet You
Her first seal of office needed to have the word “his” crossed out and replaced by “hers” in pen as she was the first female to hold a municipal court appointment in the US. From Irish immigrant working as a child minder to becoming the first woman judge of a municipal court in the United States, was the unique and outstanding achievement of Mary O’Toole. Born in … [Read more...] about Great-aunt Mary O’Toole’s Amazing, Trailblazing Life
Stephen Downey (1937-2021) Speechwriter and communications consultant Stephen Downey died in early December 2021, aged 84. Married to lauded cabaret singer and musical theater actress KT Sullivan, Downey was a passionate supporter and aficionado of the arts, and served as president of both the Yeats Drama Society and the New York Browning Society. Born in Providence, Rhode … [Read more...] about Those We Lost
Snowflake By Louise Nealon There’s been a huge buzz about Louise Nealon ever since word of her debut novel was announced, with many reviewers and critics calling her the next Sally Rooney. Maybe they should all leave the Mayo writer to be the current and next Sally Rooney, however, and come up with different descriptors for almost every other Irish female writer under 30. … [Read more...] about Summer Reading
