Irish America
Irish America
McDonagh is one of the rarer surnames of Ireland, but exists also as MacDonagh, MacDonough, Donogh, and Donagh. The modern forms of the name are derived from Mac Donnchadha, which originates from the first name Donnchadh, a compound of "donn" meaning brown, plus "cath," a battle. Often translated as "brown one," Donnchadh was a common first name in ancient times. Given its … [Read more...] about The Marvelous McDonaghs
Sixteen graduate students from Columbia University’s School of Journalism traveled to Ireland and found a country of many cultures and religions. ℘℘℘ The Indian Christians in Galway By Betwa Sharma and Zachary Goelman The ground floor entrance of the Westwood House Hotel entices passers-by with rock music and drink specials. It is a popular haunt in Galway and people mill … [Read more...] about Sikh the Fair Land: Faiths o’ the Irish
September, 1930. Age 16, my mother, Kathleen Sloyan, the second of eight children, leaves her home in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. She will marry, raise three children, and die in Brooklyn, New York, at age 53, without ever returning home. We have no photos of her as a child. With my first wage as a paper boy, I bought her a 78rpm record that had “Mayo” in the title. Her hug was … [Read more...] about Finding Home
James Hoban, Architect of the White House. In 1785, a newspaper in Philadelphia carried this advertisement: “ Any gentleman who wishes to build in an elegant style, may hear of a person properly calculated for that purpose who can execute the Joining and Carpenter’s business in the modern taste James Hoban. Hoban was an Irishman, born in Kilkenny. George Washington … [Read more...] about The House That Hoban Built
A couple of years ago I went along to my regular Sunday session in Rhinecliff, New York to hear The McCarthy Brothers, and I have never been quite the same since. The three brothers and a few friends tore through reels, jigs and songs with a virtuosity and joy I’ve yet to hear again, except when I have the luck to catch them playing in New York City. I got to know the … [Read more...] about Trad Music is a Family Affair
