Irish America

WWII

News Roundup May 28, 2022

By Róisín Chapman
IA Newsletter May 28, 2022

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Memorial Day: The Sullivan Brothers As the United States mourns the many fallen military personnel who have served the nation, Irish America remembers the Sullivan brothers who died during World War II. All five brothers had been serving aboard the USS Juneau when it was torpedoed by the Japanese on November 13, 1942. The brothers perished in the attack during the naval battle … [Read more...] about News Roundup May 28, 2022

Harry Donovan: The Grateful Veteran

By Jerri Donohue

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How a veteran of WWII spent his post-war life helping other vets. Harry Donovan and two other sailors labored in darkness, setting smoke pots on the water to prepare for an island invasion the next morning. In daylight, billowing smoke would surround Allied ships and prevent Japanese pilots from locating and bombing them.  Their task completed, the men headed back to … [Read more...] about Harry Donovan: The Grateful Veteran

Hibernia: News from Ireland

By Tom Deignan

Summer 2021

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Bridge from Ireland to Scotland? Amidst centuries of conflict and bloodshed, peacemakers have attempted to ease hostility between Great Britain and Ireland, building metaphorical bridges in the name of peace. You may soon see an actual bridge between the two islands, spanning the Irish Sea. “In a bid to improve domestic transport links, the UK government is now conducting a … [Read more...] about Hibernia: News from Ireland

Irish War Brides: A Little Irish Romance

By Ellie Shukert, Contributor
May / June 2019

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A group of workers on the docks serenaded the passengers with “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and “Come Back to Erin.” The sirens of other ships in the harbor wailed while the 314 Irish brides waved, held up their 140 babies, and sang “Auld Lang Syne” through floods of tears as the Henry Gibbins, a 12,000-ton U.S. Army transport vessel, sailed away from the Herdman Channel, … [Read more...] about Irish War Brides: A Little Irish Romance

Photo Album: My Grandfather, the Diver

Submitted by George Kelnhofer, Doylestown, PA
March / April 2019

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My grandfather, Patrick Joseph Killen, (“Pop”), was born in Downpatrick, County Down, in 1897. He sailed with his sister Margaret for America in 1911, and arrived in New York on his 14th birthday. Many of his family were already here, but, sadly for him, his older sister Mary stayed behind, and he would not see her again for 57 years. In 1920, Patrick received his Certificate … [Read more...] about Photo Album: My Grandfather, the Diver