Irish America

Spring 2022

Charles Stewart Parnell: The ‘Forgotten Famine’ and the American Congress

By Christine Kinealy

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On Monday, February 2, 1880, Charles Stewart Parnell addressed the American Congress. He was only the fourth international politician to be accorded this honor and the first Irish man. During his 32-minute-long speech, he laid out a blue-print for the end of the much-hated landlord system in Ireland. He also linked it to recurring famines in Ireland. The success of Parnell’s … [Read more...] about Charles Stewart Parnell: The ‘Forgotten Famine’ and the American Congress

Complete Speech of Charles Stewart Parnell, MP, to US Congress

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February 2, 1880 Mr. Parnell, on rising to speak, was received with applause. He said—Mr. Chairman and — Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I have to thank you for the honour that you have conferred upon me in permitting me to address this august assembly upon the state of affairs in my unhappy country. The public opinion of the people of America will be of the … [Read more...] about Complete Speech of Charles Stewart Parnell, MP, to US Congress

Let the Road Rise Up to Meet You

By Róisín Chapman

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A pilgrim-walking route, linking Cashel in County Tipperary and Ardmore in County Waterford, follows the trail of St. Declan who, in the late 5th century, left his monastery in Waterford to walk to Cashel to meet with future patron saint, Patrick. Ireland’s south east, celebrated for its historical Viking ties and impressive hurling record, now has another claim to fame: St. … [Read more...] about Let the Road Rise Up to Meet You

Great-aunt Mary O’Toole’s Amazing, Trailblazing Life

Submitted by Jimmy O’Toole, and Paula Mulhall, Mary’s grandniece and grandnephew.

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Her first seal of office needed to have the word “his” crossed out and replaced by “hers” in pen as she was the first female to hold a municipal court appointment in the US.  From Irish immigrant working as a child minder to becoming the first woman judge of a municipal court in the United States, was the unique and outstanding achievement of Mary O’Toole. Born in Ireland, a … [Read more...] about Great-aunt Mary O’Toole’s Amazing, Trailblazing Life

Those We Lost

By Mary Gallagher

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Stephen Downey  (1937-2021) Speechwriter and communications consultant Stephen Downey died in early December 2021, aged 84. Married to lauded cabaret singer and musical theater actress KT Sullivan, Downey was a passionate supporter and aficionado of the arts, and served as president of both the Yeats Drama Society and the New York Browning Society. Born in Providence, Rhode … [Read more...] about Those We Lost