Irish America

Irish America

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The Friar and The Saint:
How St. Valentine Came to Dublin

By David Murphy
IA Newsletter, February 8, 2025

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A Carmelite priest was gifted the relics of Saint Valentine, now enshrined in Our Lady of Mount St.Carmel, Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin. He will be forever linked with St. Valentine, but John Francis Spratt would be remembered as a beloved philanthropist, famous for his work among the poor and destitute in the Liberties of Dublin. He was one of the first to join Fr. … [Read more...] about

The Friar and The Saint:
How St. Valentine Came to Dublin

Brigid Day Celebrations Rekindle the Flame

By Mary Pat Kelly
IA Newsletter, February 8, 2025

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Brigid’s Day – February 1 couldn’t come soon enough to Ireland after an especially tough winter. The Red Warning storm EOWYN landed a final blow, sending force 12 hurricane winds ripping across the island on January 24, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Although Derry, where I was, had avoided the worst effects of this weather, I still was greatly relieved to see the … [Read more...] about Brigid Day Celebrations Rekindle the Flame

Solider to Stand Trial for Bloody Sunday Killings

By Brian Dooley
IA Newsletter, February 1, 2025

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We’re supposed to call him Soldier F, for legal reasons. His real name is widely known among those familiar with the history of Bloody Sunday, the massacre of 13 unarmed protestors in Derry on January 30, 1972 – another died shortly after. In all, 27 unarmed civilians were killed or injured by British soldiers that day – many of them while attending to the wounded or fleeing … [Read more...] about Solider to Stand Trial for Bloody Sunday Killings

Music Man: Bill Flanagan

By Ray Cavanagh
IA Newsletter, January 18, 2025



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The year 1955 was an active one for the nascent rock & roll genre: Little Richard emerged with his wild single “Tutti Frutti”; Chuck Berry had his first hit; an upstart Elvis Presley was physically attacked by female fans backstage; and Rhode Island saw the birth of Bill Flanagan. One of five children, Flanagan — who just turned 70 on Jan. 14 — grew up in Warwick, RI, where … [Read more...] about Music Man: Bill Flanagan

Carter and Thatcher Clashed on N.I.

By Niall O'Dowd
IA Newsletter January 4, 2025

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Jimmy Carter’s involvement in Northern Ireland affairs was far more substantial than many Irish Americans may think. Former President Jimmy Carter, who has died at the age of 100, is remembered for his impact on foreign policy and his humanitarian work after his presidency.  He was also very much interested in finding a peaceful solution to the Troubles in Northern … [Read more...] about Carter and Thatcher Clashed on N.I.