Irish America

Irish America

Heritage

Roots: The Proud History of the Reidy Clan

By Maeve Molly, Contributor
December / January 2008

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The Reidy family surname  (also Reedy, Riedy, Reid, and O’Reidy) is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Riada. The family was part of the Dalcassian sept and in early Gaelic times lived in the southwest of Ireland, in the Munster counties of Clare and Kerry. The Ó Riadas can claim lineage to the legendary King Oiloill Olum, who was Monarch of Munster in the third … [Read more...] about Roots: The Proud History of the Reidy Clan

Roots: The O’Malley Clan

By Liam Murphy, Editorial Assistant
August / September 2007

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The ancient O’Maille or O’Malley name is said to be derived from the Gaelic words “maille” meaning gentle or smooth, and “maglios” meaning chieftain, which is fitting as the O’Malleys were once the chieftains of the baronies of Murrisk and Burrishoole in County Mayo. On today’s political scene, Martin O’Malley (D.), subject of our cover story, served as the hugely popular Mayor … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Malley Clan

Ghosts Beneath the Rails

By Lois Puglionesi, Contributor
June / July 2004

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William Watson never believed in ghosts. But the legend of 57 Irish railroad workers buried in a common grave has haunted the Springfield, Pennsylvania resident and history professor since the day he discovered the story of Duffy's Cut some years ago. Watson, the chairman of history and politics at Immaculata University in Chester County, was going through his grandfather's … [Read more...] about Ghosts Beneath the Rails

Ireland: Culture and Heritage

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When summer comes, Ireland's in her glory. Lazy sunsets linger for hours in a softly glowing night sky. Every nook and cranny of the land turns lush and green. Roses ramble wildly up cottage walls and over stone stiles. Towering hedgerows turn country lanes into fragrant flowering tunnels. Music wafts on breezes everywhere. Fairs and festivals spring up like mushrooms after a … [Read more...] about Ireland: Culture and Heritage

Roots:
The Keane / Kane Family

By Siobhán Tracey, Contributor
October / November 2002

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Keane and Kane are anglicizations of Ó Catháin from cath, meaning battle. There were two great septs of Ó Catháin in Co. Derry but in modern times, Keane, Kane and sometimes O'Kane are more common, Keane in Munster and Connaught and Kane in Ulster. Traditionally the two septs were quite distinct and it was believed that the prominent Clare Keanes were an offshoot of the Ulster … [Read more...] about Roots:
The Keane / Kane Family