The surname Murray reflects the historic ties between Ireland and Scotland, and signifies the bearer’s roots in the early kingdom of Moray. Located in the northeast of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, the area took its name from the native Scottish Gaelic word moireabh, meaning “seaboard settlement.” Murray’s strong base in Ireland is partially due to an influx … [Read more...] about Roots: The Murray Clan
Issues
Frederick Douglass and Irish Home Rule
Born a slave, Frederick Douglass died as a champion of human rights, and Ireland played an important role in his political awakening. In 1845, Ireland provided a safe refuge to Frederick Douglass, a 27-year-old “fugitive” slave from America. Douglass described his four months in the country as the “happiest times” in his life and the Irish people as the most “ardent” … [Read more...] about Frederick Douglass and Irish Home Rule
Turlough O’Carolan: The Irish Vivaldi
In 1691, a poor, blind, twenty-one year old son of a blacksmith and his guide set out on a journey from a backwater estate, Alderford, near the town of Balyfarnon, County Roscommon, hoping to make a living as an itinerant harper. He seemed an unlikely figure to leave a lasting stamp on Ireland’s musical culture, yet Turlough O’Carolan would become a great composer, creating … [Read more...] about Turlough O’Carolan: The Irish Vivaldi
Jiggs and Maggie and More…
The impact Irish creators and their characters had on the funny, and not-so funny, papers is examined ℘℘℘ Later this year, Hollywood funnyman Seth Rogen (This is 40, Knocked Up) and his regular collaborator, Evan Goldberg, will begin overseeing production of a new Amazon series called The Boys, a kind of next-generation comic-book drama set in a world where superheroes have … [Read more...] about Jiggs and Maggie and More…
The Brooklyn Fire Chaser
Single-Mindedly Brilliant: The Life of Fire Detective Thomas P. Brophy and his lasting legacy on the FDNY. ℘℘℘ He never married, had no hobbies, and often needed reminding just to eat. Thomas Patrick Brophy seemed to live for one thing: catching arsonists. Tirelessly stalking New York streets for leads, he would proceed to secure more arson convictions than any other … [Read more...] about The Brooklyn Fire Chaser