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Where Shall We Seek for a Hero?
Reflections on John Boyle O’Reilly

By Michael Quinlin

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180 years after his birth on June 28, 1844, the lessons of legendary Irish rebel, patriot, poet and activist John Boyle O’Reilly deserve to be remembered and cherished.  In today’s society of discontent and distrust mingled with guarded hope and optimism, O’Reilly would be hailed simultaneously as a disruptor of the status quo, a man unafraid to speak truth to power, a … [Read more...] about

Where Shall We Seek for a Hero?
Reflections on John Boyle O’Reilly

Bronze Shoes and Moccasins

IA Newsletter, June 22, 2024

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Bronze Shoes and Moccasins: First Nations and Famine Irish Forced Migration tells the story of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation that generously contributed to Irish Famine Relief in Canada West (now Ontario) on 22 March 1847 even while they were being removed from their homes, without knowing where they would resettle. The film also explores the role of European … [Read more...] about Bronze Shoes and Moccasins

St. Malachy, the Miracle Worker and Prophet

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter, June 8, 2024

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St. Malachy 1094-1148 | Patron of Armagh | Feast Day, November 3 St. Malachy O’More or Mael Maedoc u Morgair was born into a noble family in Armagh, Ireland, in 1095. He first trained under the famous recluse Imhar O’Hagan and, later St. Cellach who joined Malachy in replacing Celtic liturgy with that of the Roman church. In his lifetime, Malachy was a hermit, priest, … [Read more...] about St. Malachy, the Miracle Worker and Prophet

St. Fiacre of Breuil

By Rosemary Rogers
IA Newsletter, June 22, 2024

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St. Fiarce 600-670 AD | Feast Day, September 1 | Patron of cabdrivers and gardeners Because a hackney stand in Paris was located in front of a hotel named in honor of this Saint, French taxis are called “fiacres.” Thus, Fiacre is the Patron of cabbies. By a lucky coincidence, “fic” (meaning “fig”) is a French slang term for hemorrhoids—a common complaint of taxi drivers, … [Read more...] about St. Fiacre of Breuil

Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr of Derry and Strabane Makes History

By Mary Pay Kelly
IA Newsletter, June 8, 2024

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“I am proud to be a Maasai woman and a Derry girl,“ Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, the first black person to be mayor anywhere in Northern Ireland, told a cheering crowd in the Guildhall on June 3. Colum Eastwood, MP, leader of her party, the SDLP (Social Democratic and Labour Party), stood with her on what he called “a fantastic night in the City of Civil Rights.” Born in Narok … [Read more...] about

Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr of Derry and Strabane Makes History