McDonagh is one of the rarer surnames of Ireland, but exists also as MacDonagh, MacDonough, Donogh, and Donagh. The modern forms of the name are derived from Mac Donnchadha, which originates from the first name Donnchadh, a compound of "donn" meaning brown, plus "cath," a battle. Often translated as "brown one," Donnchadh was a common first name in ancient times. Given its … [Read more...] about The Marvelous McDonaghs
2008
Sláinte!: Dancing at Lughnasa
Of all the months of the year, only August has no "official" holiday. That’s poor marketing if you ask me. Holidays generate more "stimulus" to the economic calendar than any paltry government "rebate" could ever engender. Granted, there’s a flurry of back-to-school buys but academic purchasing doesn’t hit full momentum until September. To fill the void, I suggest adding … [Read more...] about Sláinte!: Dancing at Lughnasa
Sikh the Fair Land: Faiths o’ the Irish
Sixteen graduate students from Columbia University’s School of Journalism traveled to Ireland and found a country of many cultures and religions. ℘℘℘ The Indian Christians in Galway By Betwa Sharma and Zachary Goelman The ground floor entrance of the Westwood House Hotel entices passers-by with rock music and drink specials. It is a popular haunt in Galway and people mill … [Read more...] about Sikh the Fair Land: Faiths o’ the Irish
The First Word: Seeking the Fair Land
Walter Macken’s book Seek the Fair Land came to mind when I chose the cover text to go with the picture of the Sikh man dancing in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Macken’s novel centers around Oliver Cromwell’s brutal “ethnic cleansing” of Irish Catholics, who were either killed, or banished “to Hell or to Connaught” (to the barren lands of the West of … [Read more...] about The First Word: Seeking the Fair Land
Irish Eye on Hollywood
Irish-American hunk George Clooney recently said that he plans to return to his ancestral home for a summer of motorcycling. “I am doing a motorbike ride in Ireland this summer,” he recently told Dublin radio station FM104. “I hear it rains a lot but I’ve got the perfect outfit!” Clooney’s last film Leatherheads was a bit of a dud, but he may soon be back in the Oscar … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood





