The surname Foley is found in greatest concentration in counties Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. It is generally understood to be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Foghladha, which translates loosely to “pirate,” or “marauder,” possibly implying distant Viking roots. It may also be an Anglicized version of the Northern Irish name Mac Searraigh, chosen for its phonetic … [Read more...] about Roots: The Foley Family
Irish Studies
Roots: The Ford Family
The Ford family name has several possible origins. Its Anglo-Saxon roots can be traced back to Devonshire, where the name derived from the topographical term “ford,” meaning “a shallow place where water can be crossed.” However, this term originally comes from the Norse “fjord,” meaning a narrow inlet of sea. Therefore, the Ford family name is also thought to be Viking in … [Read more...] about Roots: The Ford Family
Uncovering Irish History in Lowell, MA and Northern Ireland
The Irish-American Heritage Archeological Program discovers Irish artifacts in Lowell, MA and Cosson, Co. Tyrone. Students and archeological experts from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and Queen’s University, Belfast recently completed phase two of a four year archeological dig in the Massachusetts town, and expanded the project to include a site in Co. Tyrone, … [Read more...] about Uncovering Irish History in Lowell, MA and Northern Ireland
Study in Ireland Fairs Come to Northeast
A new initiative called Education Ireland asks American students to consider studying in Ireland. Education Ireland, a new initiative of the Irish Government, is holding a series of "Study in Ireland" events in New York and Boston as part of their Fall Recruitment Week. Increasingly more American students are choosing to study abroad in Ireland – 7,000 as of last year. … [Read more...] about Study in Ireland Fairs Come to Northeast
Banville on Black
"Sometimes, in the middle of the afternoon if I’m feeling a little bit sleepy, Black will sort of lean in over Banville’s shoulder and start writing. Or Banville will lean over Black’s shoulder and say ‘Oh that’s an interesting sentence, let’s play with that.’ I can see sometimes, revising the work, the points at which one crept in or the two sides seeped into each other.” If … [Read more...] about Banville on Black