Baseball is a sport built for superlatives and appellations; with every passing season, another member of the sport seems to be bestowed the title of "the Greatest" or a nickname. Yet, there is only one "Grand Old Man of Baseball," and there will never be another like Irish American Connie Mack nor anyone as deserving of the title. Connie Mack was born Cornelius McGillicuddy in Brookfield, Massachusetts, on December 22, 1862. His parents were both Irish immigrants, Michael McGillicuddy from Killarney, while Mary (nee McKillop) McGillicuddy was from the Catholic section of … [Read more...] about The Grand Old Man of Baseball: The Enduring Legacy of Connie Mack
Top Spot
A Fearless Irish American Angel and Pioneer in America’s Wild West
Nellie Cashman There were many Irish women among the settlers of the American West, and one of the best known in her time was a lady from County Cork named Ellen Cashman. Ellen came to America, like so many others, fleeing the effects of the Great Hunger. She arrived in Boston in 1850 with her mother, Fanny, at the tender age of five where she grew up caring for a younger sister. An ambitious young lady, she worked as a bellhop in a well-known Boston hotel when she decided to follow the call of the American West with the idea of making her fortune. She moved to San … [Read more...] about A Fearless Irish American Angel and Pioneer in America’s Wild West
“Our Last Hero”: the Incredible Story of “Wild Bill” Donovan
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, for the first time in over four years, the guns fell silent across the trenches that scarred the face of Europe during the First World War. America had been latecomers to the conflict but at a tremendous cost had tipped the scales in what had been a murderous stalemate. No division had sacrificed more than the 42nd Division, nicknamed the "Rainbow Division," as it had been formed from National Guard Units whose origins stretched across the country. No unit in the Rainbow Division fought on more fronts, nor suffered more … [Read more...] about “Our Last Hero”: the Incredible Story of “Wild Bill” Donovan
Patrolman, Poet, and Hero; the Remarkable Life of Phillip Fitzpatrick
Philip Fitzpatrick was born in Aughavas, Co. Leitrim in 1892. Like so many of his generation, he emigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. He joined the NYPD in 1926 and was assigned to Mounted Squad 1 in Manhattan. He would serve with distinction for over 21 years as one of ‘New York’s Finest’ and would prove more than worthy of the title. However, in addition to protecting the streets of New York, Patrolman Fitzpatrick had another talent that few realized until many years after his death; he was a talented poet. Fitzpatrick came from a family having a long … [Read more...] about Patrolman, Poet, and Hero; the Remarkable Life of Phillip Fitzpatrick
Irish American Heritage Month: Archbishop “Dagger John” Hughes
John Joseph Hughes was born on 24 June 1797 in Annaloghan, Co. Tyrone, to a poor farmer. As a Catholic in English-ruled Ireland, he couldn’t even receive a Catholic education. When John was 15, his younger sister, Mary, died and British law barred a Catholic priest from presiding at her burial; the best he could do was to scoop up a handful of dirt, bless it, and hand it to John to sprinkle on her grave. Hughes never forgot that and dreamed of ‘a country in which no stigma of inferiority would be impressed on my brow, simply because I professed one creed or another.’ Fleeing poverty and … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Archbishop “Dagger John” Hughes
Andrew Higgins: The Man Who Built the Boats That Won World War II
“The Jaws of Death.” A photo by CPHOM Robert F. Sargent, USCG. A Coast Guard-manned LCVP from the USS Samuel Chase disembarks troops of Company E, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division on the morning of June 6, 1944, at Omaha Beach It is an iconic image of WW II, a photo taken on June 6, 1944 showing American soldiers exiting a landing craft coming ashore at Omaha beach. A few months later on October 20th, another photo captured the moment General Douglas MacArthur “returned” to the Philippines, wading ashore from a landing craft. Neither of these historic moments would have been possible … [Read more...] about Andrew Higgins: The Man Who Built the Boats That Won World War II
Martin Sheridan, the Irish American Olympian Who Captivated the World
In his obituary, the New York Times describes Martin Sheridan as "one of the greatest athletes the United States has ever known." While his name may not be as readily recognized today, that assessment still holds true. Sheridan was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland in 1881, and would later emigrate to the United States. A giant for his time standing at 6' 3", he was a member of a group known as the "Irish Whales," a group of Irish American Athletes who were also members of the New York City Police Department who dominated the track and field competitions of the … [Read more...] about Martin Sheridan, the Irish American Olympian Who Captivated the World
Bravery Beyond Measure: The Heroic Story of Colonel Patrick O’Rorke
Patrick Henry O'Rorke was born in County Cavan, Ireland on March 25, 1837. His family emigrated from Ireland when Patrick was but a year old, eventually settling in the “Little Dublin” neighborhood of Rochester, N.Y. An excellent student, he earned one of two scholarships to the newly formed University of Rochester. However, his father’s sudden death required young Patrick to take a job as a marble cutter to support his family. Patrick’s talents were too considerable to go unrecognized for long. He came to the attention of Congressman John Williams, who recommended him for … [Read more...] about Bravery Beyond Measure: The Heroic Story of Colonel Patrick O’Rorke
Touch of an Angel: The Inspiring Life Story of Annie Sullivan, ‘The Miracle Worker’
Imagine the loneliness and isolation of a person who is both deaf and blind. Even worse, imagine that isolation beginning when you were only 19 months old when the disease took these vital senses away before you comprehended the concept of what the word was, leaving you with limited means to convey your thought and feelings. This is the description of the challenge that newly graduated teacher Anne Sullivan was taking on when she was hired to be the governess and teacher to seven-year-old Hellen Keller. Anne was only twenty years old and was herself seriously visually impaired. Sullivan was … [Read more...] about Touch of an Angel: The Inspiring Life Story of Annie Sullivan, ‘The Miracle Worker’
Who is St. Patrick?
Each year around March 17, the name of St. Patrick appears in every major publication in the civilized world - sometimes with honor and sometimes with scorn - often due to the conduct of those who celebrate his memory at affairs which bear his name. Of the many things written about this holy man, some are true, some misleading, and some false. St. Patrick was Italian; St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland; St. Patrick was the first to bring Christianity to Ireland - all of these statements are false! Let’s take them one at a time. Some claim St. Patrick to be Italian … [Read more...] about Who is St. Patrick?
Annie Moore: The Brave Irish Girl Who Took the First Step Though the Golden Door
The statue of Annie Moore and her brothers at Cobh, Ireland During its period of operation from 1892 till 1954, over 12 million immigrants entered through the immigration station at Ellis Island, a name that was to become synonymous with the “Golden Door” and the “American Dream”. It is estimated that today over forty percent of the United States population can trace their ancestry to an immigrant that entered Ellis Island. On New Year’s Day Morning 1892 on the deck of the steamship Nevada stood three adolescents, Annie Moore and her brothers Phillip and Anthony. They were perhaps … [Read more...] about Annie Moore: The Brave Irish Girl Who Took the First Step Though the Golden Door
The Innovative Vision of John Phillip Holland, Father of the Modern Submarine
John Phillip Holland was born on February 24, 1841 in small coastal town of Liscannor, County Clare. His mother was a native Irish speaker and young John himself would not learn English until he attended school. Holland’s father was a coastal patrolman for the British Coastguard Service and instilled in the young Holland a love of the sea. With aspirations to go to sea, young Holland walked 5-1/2 miles each way to attend the Christian Brothers secondary school in Ennistymon because they offered a course in navigation. However Holland’s dreams of maritime life were soon dashed by frail health … [Read more...] about The Innovative Vision of John Phillip Holland, Father of the Modern Submarine
Courage, Sacrifice, and Loyalty: FDNY Firefighters Thomas and Daniel Foley
At the young age of 32, Thomas Foley was already an 11-year decorated veteran firefighter of the FDNY and a legend. He was a larger than life individual who embraced life to the fullest and seemed to excel at everything he tried from powerlifting to skydiving. Having learned to ride horses on visits to his grandfather's farm, he even excelled as a competitor on the rodeo circuit. With boyish good looks, Thomas Foley was featured twice by People Magazine and appeared in the FDNY's "2003 Calendar of Heroes." However, being a firefighter was Thomas Foley's first passion; it was all he wanted to … [Read more...] about Courage, Sacrifice, and Loyalty: FDNY Firefighters Thomas and Daniel Foley
The ‘Fightinest Marine’: Sergeant Dan Daly, Two-Time Medal of Honor Awardee
Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly, USMC, recipient of the Medal of Honor twice for engagements in two separate conflicts In the history of the Medal of Honor, the United States Highest award for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty", only 19 men have been awarded the medal twice. Among them is Marine Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, one of only two marines to receive the Medal of Honor Twice for separate acts of heroism and nominated for a third. Daly was born in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, on 11 November 1873. He was slight of … [Read more...] about The ‘Fightinest Marine’: Sergeant Dan Daly, Two-Time Medal of Honor Awardee
From Asylum to Adventure: Nelly Bly a Pioneer in Journalism
There was a time when mouse clicks and tweets did not drive reporters; they actually went out, sometimes at great personal peril, to find the news. One such reporter and a pioneer of investigative journalism was Irish American Nellie Bly. 21-year-old Nellie Bly as she appeared while reporting from Mexico Nellie Bly was born Elizabeth Cochrane on May 5, 1864 in Cochran's Mills, now part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, Michael Cochran (Elizabeth would add the 'e' to the last name later), was the son of an immigrant from Derry who has started as a laborer and had … [Read more...] about From Asylum to Adventure: Nelly Bly a Pioneer in Journalism
John Ford, the Father of “The Quiet Man”
For many Irish Americans, watching John Ford's 'The Quiet Man" is as much a part of St. Patrick's Day tradition as Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is a part of Christmas. Both movies depict an idealized time and place that was much simpler than today, or in fact, ever was, but the basic themes of the importance of values and friendship still speak to us. Not to be overlooked in our enjoyment of "The Quiet Man" is the very complex man who gave us this movie, Irish American John Ford. John Ford was born John Martin Feeney in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, on February 1, 1894. His parents … [Read more...] about John Ford, the Father of “The Quiet Man”
Chief Francis O’Neill, a Real Hero and a Reel Hero
When someone wants to quickly set an atmosphere of "Irishness," whether it is a major motion picture or a local Irish restaurant, they invariably use the same element: music. Music is an essential element of Celtic life; the harper, piper, and the fiddler hold a place of honor and esteem. Wherever the Irish have traveled, they have taken their music with them as one of their prize possessions, and the sound of Irish music can be heard in Dublin, Denver, and Durban. Irish music is a highly personal art form; it is an aural tradition passed on from generation to generation … [Read more...] about Chief Francis O’Neill, a Real Hero and a Reel Hero
Irish American Heritage Month: The Sheas, Three Generations of Olympians
Since the ancient past, societies have honored athletes. Athletic competition may have developed out of pragmatic concerns such as training warriors, but it was soon realized that certain individuals were gifted with exceptional talents. In the Ancient Olympic Games winning competitors were awarded Olive Wreaths and honored as human incarnations of Apollo; in modern times they are honored with some of the highest salaries in the world. These honors are given in recognition of how exceptional athletic prowess is in on one individual; what then would be the likelihood of finding world class … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Sheas, Three Generations of Olympians
The Childhood Friends Who Earned the Medal of Honor
In the historically Irish neighborhood of Woodside, Queens, stands a monument to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the Vietnam War. On the monument are inscribed the names of 27 young men from the local Zip Code of 11377, more than any other postal code in the nation to die in that conflict. However, the Irish community of Woodside has another unique distinction touching on the Vietnam War, the story of two childhood friends from that community who would both enlist in the Marines and earn our nation’s highest award for valor, with sadly … [Read more...] about The Childhood Friends Who Earned the Medal of Honor
Irish American Heritage Month: Kathleen McNulty, an Irish American “Hidden Figure”
Kathleen Rita McNulty was born in the village of Creeslough on February 12, 1921, the third of six children of Anne Nelis and James McNulty. Her father was Commandant of the Doe Battalion of the Irish Volunteers. On the night of her birth, he was arrested and imprisoned in Derry Gaol for two years for his republican activities. On his release, the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where James worked as a stonemason and went on to establish a successful construction business, frequently working with Irish American John B Kelly, the father of … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Kathleen McNulty, an Irish American “Hidden Figure”