Irish America

County Roscommon

On the Edge of Our Seats

By Mary Gallagher, Deputy Editor
December / January 2020

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℘℘℘ A Chat with Mary Higgins Clark The Queen of Suspense did not come by her title overnight – Mary Higgins Clark’s 40+-year career in literature and consistent domination of the New York Times Best Seller list have made her a household name in the mystery genre from the release of her very first suspense thriller, Where Are the Children? She has since been renowned for … [Read more...] about On the Edge of Our Seats

Turlough O’Carolan: The Irish Vivaldi

By Geoffrey Cobb
September / October 2018

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In 1691, a poor, blind, twenty-one year old son of a blacksmith and his guide set out on a journey from a backwater estate, Alderford, near the town of Balyfarnon, County Roscommon, hoping to make a living as an itinerant harper. He seemed an unlikely figure to leave a lasting stamp on Ireland’s musical culture, yet Turlough O’Carolan would become a great composer, creating … [Read more...] about Turlough O’Carolan: The Irish Vivaldi

More than 100 Syrian Refugees at Home in Roscommon

By Adam Farley, Deputy Editor
December / January 2018

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Ballaghadereen is a small town in County Roscommon of about 2,000 people, and since March, locals have been working hard to welcome more than 100 Syrian refugees living on the grounds of the defunct Abbeyfield Hotel. Recently, local barbershop owner Sajjad Hussain, who is also involved in the local Islamic Cultural Centre, began by organizing a soccer friendly between arriving … [Read more...] about More than 100 Syrian Refugees at Home in Roscommon

Roscommon, Part I:
Ireland’s Lake District

By Mary Egan
December / January 2018

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A county that is rich in beauty and many historical sites. ℘℘℘ The third largest of Connacht’s five counties, Roscommon is also the province’s most water-logged. Three-quarters bound by fresh water, it contains the longest stretch of the River Shannon of all 10 counties through which it flows. Quiet country roads, delightful views over undulating countryside dotted with lakes, … [Read more...] about Roscommon, Part I:
Ireland’s Lake District

Roscommon, Part III: The Hungry Years

By Dr. Christine Kinealy, Contributor
December / January 2018

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Roscommon was one of the hardest hit counties during the Famine, losing 31 percent of its population. ℘℘℘ In 1845, County Roscommon was one of the first counties to record the appearance of the blight in the locality. The return of the disease the following year – earlier in the season and more lethal – resulted in an immediate increase in distress. On 12 October 1846, the … [Read more...] about Roscommon, Part III: The Hungry Years