My recent article on "That's Not an Irish Name" has prompted a lot of comment from readers with interesting names, and theories about their derivation. I must also acknowledge one mistake. Bill Delaney of Philadelphia corrected me on the name Delaney, which had been given as an example of the many Norman names with the prefix "De." Delaney, however, is of course, derived from … [Read more...] about Roots: Unusual Irish Names
November December 1993
Hibernia
In 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed the first national designation of a date for Thanksgiving. He named the fourth Thursday in November and Lincoln's choice remained undisturbed for 75 years. In 1938 President Roosevelt essayed moving the day back a few weeks. He gave as his reason the complaints of merchants that Christmas and Thanksgiving were too close and the public spent … [Read more...] about Hibernia
Harrison Ford
The king of Hollywood talks to Frances Haines about his controversial role in Patriot Games Son of an Irish Catholic emigrant, Harrison Ford has weathered the storm of Irish-American protest over Patriot Games. From his father, Chris, who found that his religion and ethnic origins prevented his getting work in the New York of the 20s, Harrison has always fiercely defended his … [Read more...] about Harrison Ford
Chairman of the Boards
Irish runner Eamonn Coghlan is heading a team of runners in the New York City Marathon who have more than winning as their goal. He talks to Frank Shouldice. When Eamonn Coghlan steps onto the starting line at the Verrazano Bridge this year it will be the second time he has taken part in the New York City Marathon. It was Fred Lebow, a co-founder and current director of the … [Read more...] about Chairman of the Boards
Blazes Boylan
Three Irishmen have been remanded in custody in Antwerp, Belgium, in connection with the theft of four of the most important paintings from the Beit Collection, stolen from Russborough House in Wicklow in 1986. Works by Goya, Vermeer, Metsu and Vestier, which police said were valued between £30 and €40 million in total, were recovered from what was the biggest heist in the … [Read more...] about Blazes Boylan




