Born in South Boston October 28, 1868 James Brendan Connolly was the sixth son of childhood sweethearts John Connolly and Ann O'Donnell from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. But in 1895, Jim Connolly's parents were far from pleased. At the age of 27 their son gave them a great sense of pride when he entered Harvard to study engineering. Less than a year later, he … [Read more...] about The First Irish American Olympic Champion
Olympics
A Very Special Olympics
Lynn Tierney reports on the Games in Ireland. "Let me win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt." The Special Olympics Oath goes to the heart of the matter: In the effort lies the victory, in the challenge lies the glory. It's all about the striving to do your best, not besting your competitor. This philosophy is at the center of Special Olympics, an organization … [Read more...] about A Very Special Olympics
Preparations Underway for Special Olympics — Ireland 2003
It is a logistical challenge, the likes of which Ireland has never seen before. Over a quarter of a million lunches will have to be made, 2,000 interpreters have to be found to speak more than 50 languages, accommodation has to be found for some 40,000 people, but with just over 200 days to go to the 2003 Special Olympics summer games, organizers say that preparations are … [Read more...] about Preparations Underway for Special Olympics — Ireland 2003
The Green and the Gold
February's Winter Olympic Games were memorable for more than just the judging controversy in me pairs figure skating final. As host country, the United States won its highest ever number of medals, including gold medals for Irish-Americans Jim Shea, Sarah Hughes and Kelly Clark. Shea, a resident of Lake Placid, New York, won the skeleton competition, which involves racing a … [Read more...] about The Green and the Gold
Olympic Roundup
Sonia's Silver Ireland brought home only one Olympic medal from the Sydney Games. The country's hopes for gold were dashed when runner Sonia O'Sullivan narrowly lost the woman's 5,000 meter race. She accepted the defeat gracefully and was visibly proud of her silver medal. Dolan Does It! Tom Dolan did it again. Following his Olympic success in 1996 the Irish-American … [Read more...] about Olympic Roundup