The roots of the McNamara family are in the distant past of Thomond, the region of Ireland that today is known as County Clare. By the 11th century the sept (or clan) had become the Lords of Clancullen, the territory comprising most of East Clare. The Irish form of the surname, MacConmara, which means "son of the hound of the sea," eventually evolved into the two most common … [Read more...] about The Origins of The Clan McNamara
Irish Heritage
Photo Album: From the USA to Ireland
This passport picture of Peter Dolan and his son Andrew was taken in 1924 and was used when Peter took his then eleven-year-old son from Chicago to Ireland to be raised in what must have been at the time a rare incidence of emigration from the USA to Ireland. Dolan had been born in Croghan, Co. Roscommon in 1867. He emigrated to the USA around 1889 via Canada, moved to Chicago … [Read more...] about Photo Album: From the USA to Ireland
The Lady’s a Winner
Seventeen-year-old Lauren Byrne from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was the High School winner in the National Annual Irish History Writing Contest organized by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. Her winning entry contains excerpts from a young woman's diary who emigrated to America from Ireland at the end of the 19th century. Her story represents the difficulties faced by the … [Read more...] about The Lady’s a Winner
Irish Roots : O’Donnell, McDonnell and Donnelly
These three names and others of a similar sound such as Donnellan and Donlon are sometimes confused, as spelling variations have occurred among emigrant families. They are, however, totally distinct, and indeed both the McDonnells and O'Donnells are made up of several distinct septs. The main branch of the O'Donnells, based in Donegal, is the most eminent of the Gaelic … [Read more...] about Irish Roots : O’Donnell, McDonnell and Donnelly
Celtic Appalachia
If you live in Philadelphia or happen to be planning a weekend break to the city, you will be interested to note that the 15th Annual Celtic Appalachian Celebration will take place on Sunday, March 10th between 2:30 and 7:00pm at the International House of Philadelphia. The program's theme "Far from the American Shore: Irish American history through song" offers an entertaining … [Read more...] about Celtic Appalachia