Irish America

Irish America

Photo Album

Photo Album: Bridget’s Shawl

Submitted by Robert F. Lyons of Kennebunkport, Maine
February / March 2014

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Bridget O’Donnell of Cork, Ireland, my great-grandmother, was sent out to Boston by her father in 1846. A recent discovery of her photograph in the Lyons family bible reignites interest in her story and our origins. Bridget was 14 years old, soon to be 15, when her father took her to Cobh, expecting to book passage for her to America. He gave her for the journey a silver … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Bridget’s Shawl

Family Photo Album: The Perfect Mother

Submitted by Mary Hunt (née Shea), San Francisco, California
December / January 2014

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In Memoriam Delia Kennedy Shea SEPTEMBER 19, 1924 – SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 My mother, Delia Kennedy, was born on September 19, 1924, in Kilfillig, Mountbellew – a small village of six houses, 30 miles from Galway City. She had three brothers and two sisters whom she stayed in touch with throughout her life. Her parents were known as kind and gentle people who were strong and … [Read more...] about Family Photo Album: The Perfect Mother

Family Photo Album: Sea Voyages With Father

Submitted by Jim Dette

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Writing from his mother’s perspective, Jim Dette pays tribute to the memory of his grandfather Jim Burke. My son has been after me to write down some of the remembrances of my father I’ve shared with him over the years. Before it’s too late, I’m sure he’s thinking. He keeps referring to an old, faded photograph of a group of refinery workers. It’s one of the few I have of my … [Read more...] about Family Photo Album: Sea Voyages With Father

Family Photo Album: The Boys of Summer

Submitted by Holly Millea
June / July 2013

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For years my father, Roger Millea, a retired urologist, has refused to use a computer. So for his 83rd birthday, I flew to Rapid City, South Dakota, presented him with an iPad, and tutored him against his will in the ways of email and the internet; encouraging him to connect to the modern world and more specifically to me in New York City. In the two years since, I’ve yet to … [Read more...] about Family Photo Album: The Boys of Summer

Family Photo Album: Neither a Nun Nor Married

Submitted by Cecelia Donohoe
April / May 2013

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Aunt Peggy Last year my mother began to hang old photographs and framed documents on what she calls the “family wall” in her living room.  No need for a coat of arms or Céad Míle Fáilte sign when we have the family wall. There’s my Donegal-born paternal grandfather’s naturalization certificate from 1935, which states “British” as his former nationality. There’s my mother’s … [Read more...] about Family Photo Album: Neither a Nun Nor Married