Irish America

Irish Studies

Roots: The Ford Family

By Molly Ferns, Editorial Assistant
December / January 2012

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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

By Harrison Post, Contributor
October / November 2011

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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

By Sheila Langan, Deputy Editor
October / November 2011

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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

By Sheila Langan, Deputy Editor
October / November 2011

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"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

Roots: the history of the Ruane, Rowan and Ó Ruadain families

By Sheila Langan, Deputy Editor
October / November 2011

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The surname Ruane comes from the old Gaelic Ó Ruadain, meaning the descendant of the red one, originally derived from the Gaelic ruadh. The pre-medieval clan stems from Ui Maine, an ancient territory that was made up of mid-Galway and South Roscommon, and Ui FIachrach, an ancient area of Mayo, Sligo, and Southern Galway. The name, variously recorded as Rowan, Ruan, O’Rowan, … [Read more...] about Roots: the history of the Ruane, Rowan and Ó Ruadain families