In August, a sign in Johnsburg, New York that claimed to mark the birthplace of acclaimed Civil War photographer Mathew Brady went missing. But in addition to sparking a search for the sign itself, its absence sent historians into a quest to find the true birthplace of Brady, eventually discovering he was probably born in Ireland. While there is no doubt that Brady, often … [Read more...] about Mathew Brady’s Irish Mystery
History
Forgotten Famine-era Graves
Discovered in Massachusetts
An estimated 600-900 neglected and forgotten Famine-era graves were discovered in Massachusetts in September when Rhode Islander Annie McMullen was attempting to trace her husband’s Irish ancestry in New England.
McMullen’s journey to discovery began several years ago when she became interested in learning more about her in-laws’ journey from Ireland to the U.S. She soon … [Read more...] about Forgotten Famine-era Graves
Discovered in Massachusetts
Rare Titanic Artifacts
Up for Auction
The Belfast-built H.M.S. Titanic was thought to be unsinkable after it set sail from Cobh, Co. Cork, on its fated maiden voyage. Of the roughly 2,220 people aboard the Titanic, around 164 were Irish, only 54 of whom were found amongst the ship’s 700-some survivors. Its wreckage lay undiscovered until September 2, 1985, and now on the 30th anniversary of the discovery several … [Read more...] about Rare Titanic Artifacts
Up for Auction
Commentary:
“No Irish Need Apply” a Myth?
This summer, an eighth-grade student and a retired history professor re-ignited the debate about the prominence of “No Irish Need Apply” signs in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Irish history, like Irish politics, is an often murky and tricky path for anyone to travel along. James Joyce may have been onto something when he said that history was a nightmare from which he … [Read more...] about Commentary:
“No Irish Need Apply” a Myth?
Commentary:
What Oonagh Did
On paper, the 1916 Proclamation and the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State appeared to signal a new beginning in regards to equal opportunities for Irish men and women. However, the socio-political landscape of 1920s Ireland remained one of restriction for women. Religated to roles as housewives and mothers excluded from employment within the public sphere, any gains … [Read more...] about Commentary:
What Oonagh Did