He was a man admired and admonished. He represented an age and a culture that many could relate to, yet just as many wished to forget. To some he was the epitome of the rebel, born to the poverty of a Dublin slum, who rose to become an international literary figure. To others he was the opposite of all that was noble about the Irish. In reality, he was a product of his environment, born in working class Dublin to Stephen and Kathleen Behan on Feb. 23,1923. His mother's extensive repertoire of Irish ballads served him well in later years. At age 16, Irish Republican principles led him to … [Read more...] about Brendan Behan
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The Catalpa Rescue
In 1858, the Fenian brotherhood was founded in America and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in Ireland to work for Irish independence. Britain declared membership in that organization a crime punishable by deportation to her penal colony in Freemantle, Australia. Seldom in history can one find a story to rival the adventure that brought embarrassment to England and freedom to six Fenians who had been sentenced to that harsh penal colony for life. It all began in 1871, when John Devoy, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, and other Fenians were released from prison in England on a general amnesty … [Read more...] about The Catalpa Rescue
James Connolly – The Athlete
When the name of James Connolly is mentioned, most immediately think of Ireland’s great patriot and labor leader who was brutally murdered by the Brits in 1916 after the Easter Rising. He was born in poverty to Irish parents in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 5, 1868; but there was another James Connolly, also born in poverty to Irish parents in 1868. This was James Brendan Connolly, born in south Boston, MA. Curiously, the month of April was most significant for both. For our Irish patriot, it was the month he led his followers in the great uprising that was to become the watershed in Irish … [Read more...] about James Connolly – The Athlete
William Percy French
It was on the first of May in 1854 that a boy was born at Cloonyquinn, Co Roscommon to Christopher French and his wife, the former Miss Percy. The second of two sons, he was named William Percy French and in his lifetime he became one of Ireland’s most beloved entertainers and gifted songwriters. His father, believing that Percy was mathematically inclined, sent him to Trinity College to study Civil engineering. Percy however, had different ideas. Instead of devoting himself to his studies, he spent most of his time developing his remarkable talent for song writing, dramatics, playing banjo … [Read more...] about William Percy French
Leperchaun – Legend or History
Every year around March 17 we get the question: are there really such things as Leprechauns and I thought I’d put the record straight. The truth lies in Ireland's ancient manuscripts describing her early settlers. The manuscripts contain so much detail that it is hard to believe they are historically accurate. However, since they are the basis of many traditions, they are worth studying. Further, many have been partially corroborated by archeological evidence, so shouldn’t we at least consider the possible accuracy of the others. Among the early settlers of Ireland, lines of succession … [Read more...] about Leperchaun – Legend or History
Paddy Colvin’s Unforgettable New Year
There were few Irishmen in Trenton, NJ prior to the Revolutionary War. Among them were Paddy Colvin and Sam McConkey, who ran two Delaware River ferries; Paddy Lamb, who resided near Quaker Bridge on Assunpink Creek; and Bernie Hanlon, a mill-owner who later became a deputy aldermen. They were all there during a very special Christmas adventure, but Paddy Colvin’s name had been forgotten for 100 years. In 1885, Rev A. Lambing, compiling a volume for Catholic Historical Research, found an interesting document. He wrote, Not long ago, when reading one of the Trenton papers, I saw the simple … [Read more...] about Paddy Colvin’s Unforgettable New Year
Padraic Pearse
On November 10, 1879 – 128 years ago – Patrick Henry Pearse, poet, lawyer, playwright, linguist, educator, author, and military leader, was born in Dublin. During his formal education at the Christian Brothers School, he attained honors in Gaelic each year, and at ages 16 and 17, wrote prizewinning books in the language. He was amply encouraged in his pursuit for he had come to manhood during a period of intense Irishness known as the Gaelic Revival. Pearse joined the Gaelic League whose prime purpose was the revival of the national language, but its impact on the rise of nationalism was far … [Read more...] about Padraic Pearse
The San Patricios
In March we think of St. Patrick and his story is on our national website AOH.COM, so this month we will tell of a remarkable military unit named for our patron saint. When America was a young country, not yet matured with the wisdom born of experience, we made mistakes. The acceptance of slavery, the treatment of native Americans, prejudice against Catholics, and armed opposition to labor unions, were but a few. But the wisdom of our founding fathers and the form of government they established gave all people a voice, and in time saner heads prevailed in the electoral process and the nation … [Read more...] about The San Patricios