Irish America

Irish America

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Nellie Bly: “The Best Reporter in America”

By Darina Molloy

November 1999

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Nellie Bly’s biographer, Brooke Kroeger, captured the essence of his admirable subject when he wrote: “In the 1880s, she pioneered the development of ‘detective’ or ‘stunt’ journalism, the acknowledged forerunner to full-scale investigative reporting.” Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5, 1864 to Michael Cochran and Mary Jane Cummings, both of whom were of Irish descent, Bly … [Read more...] about Nellie Bly: “The Best Reporter in America”

British Government Faced With Legal Dilemma Over 1997 Murder of Sean Brown

By Brian Dooley

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This month is crunch time for the British government on one of the most prominent legal cases from the Northern Ireland conflict, with London now under severe pressure to set up an inquiry into the 1997 murder of Sean Brown, despite extensive evidence linking his killing to British state agents. Sean Brown was abducted and killed by Loyalist paramilitaries less than a year … [Read more...] about British Government Faced With Legal Dilemma Over 1997 Murder of Sean Brown

Sláinte! Lent and Easter: The Fast and the Feast

By Edythe Preet


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In pre-Christian Ireland, the spring celebration on May 1 was called Bealtaine. Household fires were extinguished several days before the feast and people were forbidden to rekindle them until Druid priests lit a ceremonial bonfire on the Hill of Tara, stronghold of the High King. When Christianity supplanted pagan customs a new spring celebration was introduced: Easter, … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Lent and Easter: The Fast and the Feast

1978 — the year of the three popes

By Mal Rogers

The Irish Post – March 24, 2025

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On the 20th anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II, MAL ROGERS looks back at 1978 when Karol Józef Wojtyła became Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church — at the end of a series of tumultuous events for the Vatican A woman walks past a mural in Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II (Photo by Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images) THE town of Wadowice in … [Read more...] about 1978 — the year of the three popes

Matriarch of Chicago Bears Dies at 102

By Bob Herguth

IA Newsletter March 8, 2025

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The matriarch of one of Chicago’s best-known Irish-American clans, who was among the last-living links to the early 20th-century origins of the National Football League, has died. Virginia Halas McCaskey, principal owner of the Chicago Bears and daughter of late NFL pioneer George S. Halas, died Feb. 6 at the age of 102. She leaves behind a franchise that, while storied, for … [Read more...] about Matriarch of Chicago Bears Dies at 102