Born a slave, Frederick Douglass died as a champion of human rights, and Ireland played an important role in his political awakening. In 1845, Ireland provided a safe refuge to Frederick Douglass, a 27-year-old “fugitive” slave from America. Douglass described his four months in the country as the “happiest times” in his life and the Irish people as the most “ardent” … [Read more...] about Frederick Douglass and Irish Home Rule
American in Ireland
The Postman Only Brings Once
In this modern age there isn't a lot of practical difference between traveling to a foreign country and moving to live in one. Both acts entail a degree of psychic upheaval, which is, after all, the point. They both require a certain level of packing, and in either case you have to make some arrangements for the mail. The main difference as I see it is that if you want to … [Read more...] about The Postman Only Brings Once
An American in Ireland
Somewhat Removed. There was death in Roscommon Town tonight. The street outside Smith's Funeral Home (which occupies a sad plot opposite the local livestock mart) was packed with cars. As I threaded my way through the crowd, I recognized a few neighbors who were going in. We waved, and I felt a twinge of shame for passing by on so frivolous an errand as buying cigarettes. But … [Read more...] about An American in Ireland
An American in Ireland: From Madison Avenue to Bruckless, Donegal
By Kathleen Tierney O'Connell
January / February 1994
Kathleen Tierney O'Connell, a third-generation Irish American and former editor at Vogue magazine, left the bright lights of Madison Avenue to be with the love of her life, Packie McFadden, a farmer in County Donegal. As a third generation American with Irish forebears on both sides of the family tree, I was always curious about Ireland and even flirted briefly with the idea … [Read more...] about An American in Ireland: From Madison Avenue to Bruckless, Donegal