Vikings, mercenary warriors, and competing clans made up the terrifying cast in one of Ireland’s oldest and best-known battles. All of these different elements will once again play their part in the many events taking place to commemorate the 1000-year anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Ireland’s last great High King, Brían Boru. There are events taking … [Read more...] about The Battle of Clontarf: Millennium Celebrations
2014
Normandy
By John Fay, Contributor
An Irish American takes a family trip to Normandy’s WWII battle site. June marks the anniversary of the D-Day landings when the United States and her allies, primarily Britain and Canada, launched the air and sea assault on Nazi-occupied France that marked the beginning of the long eastward march to Berlin and the end of the Second World War. Starting on June 6, 1944, thousands … [Read more...] about Normandy
The Orphan Trains
Over 250,000 children were transported from New York to the Midwest over a 75-year period (1854-1929) in the largest mass migration of children in American history. As many as one in four were Irish. Life in the 19th century in New York City could be brutal for a child. A magnet to immigrants in search of work, it was also a haven for alcoholics, drug addicts, thieves and … [Read more...] about The Orphan Trains
Clan Kennedy:
Of Presidents and Kings
Camelot might be a misnomer. Brían Boru, the last High King of Ireland, was a Kennedy.
The O’Kennedy genealogies, held by the Royal Irish Academy, record that Ceineidi, King of Thomond, was the father of Brían Bóruma mac Cennétig (c. 941 – 1014), today known as Brían Boru, the last Ard Ri or High King of all of Ireland.
This genealogy traces President John Fitzgerald … [Read more...] about Clan Kennedy:
Of Presidents and Kings
Chris O’Dowd:
Boyle to Broadway
The actor has been busy since Bridesmaids, and it’s made him eager to return to his roots as an actor and Roscommoner.
From the beginning of our conversation, Chris O’Dowd is enthusiastic. I only have my first two words out before he says, “Yes!” My first two words, “Moone Boy,” are the title of O’Dowd’s autobiographical coming-of-age comedy that is back for a second season … [Read more...] about Chris O’Dowd:
Boyle to Broadway