In the early days of the American Revolution, a number of battles took place in New England eventually causing the British to flee their Boston stronghold. The flight took place on March 17, 1776. George Washington was commander in chief of the colonial forces. His password for the day was `Saint Patrick.'
I stumbled on that fact a number of years ago, and it has never ceased … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Patriotic Potatoes
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Sláinte! Patriotic Potatoes
The Magdalene Sisters
A disturbing movie by Peter Mullan on what happened to the "wayward" women of Ireland. Peter Mullan's The Magdalene Sisters opens ironically with a wedding scene. But it is not a happy occasion. Margaret is lured by her cousin Kevin to an upstairs room where he rapes her. Kevin is chastised, but it is Margaret who has "shamed" her family and is carted off the next morning by … [Read more...] about The Magdalene Sisters
An Irish Soldier
1861: Luke Masterson, 4th Cavalry Mounted Volunteers. My great-grandfather Luke Masterson immigrated to the U.S. from County Cavan, Ireland. In 1861, he enlisted in the 4th Cavalry Mounted Volunteers of New York. As a member of this group, he fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. His brother, Patrick, was a member of the 4th Infantry of New York. Patrick died in combat due to … [Read more...] about An Irish Soldier
The Irish Side of Funny Cide
Many know Funny Cide as the great chestnut gelding who just missed winning the Triple Crown, but few know the Irish people who were instrumental in bringing him to the forefront of racing. Having secured first place at Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Funny Cide was bred by third-generation Irish-American Joe McMahon and his wife Anne at Saratoga Thoroughbreds in New York. McMahon … [Read more...] about The Irish Side of Funny Cide
Up Close with Pierce Brosnan
The Santa Ana winds raise dust clouds as I drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu in a car hastily borrowed from my friend Tom, who responded with alacrity to my alarm that my Pierce Brosnan interview had been changed from the Irish DreamTime office in the MGM building, ten minutes from my hotel in Santa Monica, to Coogie's coffee shop in Malibu. The beauty of the … [Read more...] about Up Close with Pierce Brosnan