Historical Happenings

Prior to the American Civil War, the regular Army was small reflecting the logic that America was best defended by volunteer militia units. Many were little more than glorified fraternal organizations, filled with men who liked to parade, drink and sometimes drill. There were groups like the German Black Sharp-shooters and Hungarian Kossuth Rifles among others. Not to be outdone, the Irish formed the O'Connell Guards, Irish Rifles and Irish Zouaves. In New York, the more serious of these units were mustered into a formal state militia as was done in many states across the U.S. On October 12, … [Read more...] about THE IRISH BRIGADE COMES HOME

You saw it; I saw it; in fact, almost everyone on the planet saw it. I’m not talking about the moon or the sun, but something a whole lot brighter – at least for the Irish. It was the magnificent Waterford Crystal Ball atop Times Square in New York City that has become an icon of introducing a new year to millions of celebrants. Regardless of what time zone you may be in, you saw it, but did you know the connection of the Irish with that unique celebration? New Year’s Eve in Times Square had been celebrated for many years as crowds assembled to cheer at midnight. In 1888, an Irishman … [Read more...] about THE IRISH NEW YEAR’S EVE

Rory O'Connor was born in Dublin in 1883. He was educated at St. Mary’s College and Clongowes Wood College, Dublin with his close friend, Kevin O’Higgins. After College, he worked as a railway engineer in Ireland, then moved to Canada in 1911 to work as a railway engineer. He became active in the Fenian Brotherhood and returned to Ireland in 1915 at Joseph Plunkett's request. He joined the Ancient Order of Hibernians and served in the GPO in the Easter Rising as an intelligence officer. He was wounded during reconnaissance at the College of Surgeons and was interned after the surrender. … [Read more...] about SENSELESS DEATH IN DECEMBER

In 1920, Ireland was in the midst of a War of Independence led by Michael Collins and the original Irish Republican Army formed from post-1916 Volunteers, Hibernian Rifles and returned prisoners who’d been illegally interned after the Easter Rising. On 11 November 1919 the British government had recruited returning veterans from the recently ended Great War to strengthen the Royal Irish Constabulary (police) in Ireland and oppose the IRA. They advertized for men willing to ‘face a rough and dangerous task’ in Ireland. Many just returned from the war found unemployment and few firms needing … [Read more...] about THE BOY PATRIOT

Queen Elizabeth I had outlawed the Catholic Church and it was an act of treason to shelter a priest. Sir John Bourke of Brittas, Co. Limerick was a secret member of the Rosary Confraternity of the hidden Dominicans of the City. He promoted the Rosary in his family and locality risking the enmity of the Crown by his open avowal of the Catholic Faith and protection of hunted clergy. When Elizabeth died and James, son of Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, came to the throne in 1603, there was a pause in the persecution as James I had promised that he would not persecute “any that will be quiet and … [Read more...] about OUR LADY OF LIMERICK