Irish America

Irish America

2014

Roots: The O’Dowd Clan

By Adam Farley, Assistant Editor
February / March 2014

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In 982 the King of Connaught, Aedh Ua Dubhda (or Hugh O’Dowd), “died an untroubled death.” This note in Lebor Laignech, the medieval Irish manuscript better known as the Book of Leinster, is the first record of the O’Dowd surname, making it one of the oldest continually-used family names in Europe. It is also one of the few names that has almost universally kept the “O,” O’Dowd … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Dowd Clan

Strong Boy

By Tom Deignan,Contributor
February / March 2014

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On February 7, 1882, John L. Sullivan was on his way to becoming “America’s first sports hero.” All the 24-year-old son of Irish immigrants had to do was throw his hat into the ring. Literally. Nineteenth-century boxing tradition had it that when a challenger wanted to take on the champ, both would show up at a predetermined fight site and, in a highly elaborate ritual, the … [Read more...] about Strong Boy

What Are You Like? Thomas Cahill

By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
February / March 2014

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Thomas Cahill is a bestselling author and scholar whose landmark book, How the Irish Saved Civilization, marked its 18th anniversary in 2013. The book, which spent two years on The New York Times bestseller list, tells the story of fifth-century Irish monks who copied, and thereby preserved, almost all of what has survived of  Western classical poetry, history, oratory, … [Read more...] about What Are You Like? Thomas Cahill

Sláinte: Soup is ON!

By Edythe Preet, Contributor
February / March 2014

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It rained yesterday. That might not be a big thing in Ireland or New York where drenching downpours only generate brief comments from the weatherman. In Los Angeles even scattered showers are top news stories. Every cloud is tracked on radar, and when people in the street are quizzed about how they’re coping, they groan about the lack of sunshine. I, however, love a good … [Read more...] about Sláinte: Soup is ON!

Photo Album: Bridget’s Shawl

Submitted by Robert F. Lyons of Kennebunkport, Maine
February / March 2014

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Bridget O’Donnell of Cork, Ireland, my great-grandmother, was sent out to Boston by her father in 1846. A recent discovery of her photograph in the Lyons family bible reignites interest in her story and our origins. Bridget was 14 years old, soon to be 15, when her father took her to Cobh, expecting to book passage for her to America. He gave her for the journey a silver … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Bridget’s Shawl