Ireland

  • Vere Thomas St. Leger Goold was born in 1853 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, into an aristocratic family with a strong military background. The Goolds were part of the Anglo-Irish upper class, and young Vere was afforded all the advantages of a privileged upbringing: access to elite education, exposure to genteel society, and the leisure…

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  • (First published in 2019) Ireland remained neutral throughout World War II, but that is not to say there was no contribution from the Irish during the war. Many young Irish men did join the British army and also partook in Operation Overlord, more commonly known as D-Day. However, this blog is not about any of…

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  • On the night of May 31, 1941, during the height of World War II, the city of Dublin, capital of neutral Ireland, was shaken by an unexpected and deadly event: a German Luftwaffe air raid that killed 28 people and left nearly 100 injured. This bombing, which occurred in the North Strand area, has remained…

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  • Johnny Boy

    When I hear that wind blowAll across the Wicklow mountainsIs it you, I hear a calling?Johnny boy, oh Johnny boy When I look to the westAll across the river ShannonI can still see you smilingJohnny boy, oh Johnny boy When the leaves have turned to brownAnd winter is dueAs I watch the sun go downI’ll…

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  • On May 7, 1915, the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line, was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat off the southern coast of Ireland. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard, including 128 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania had far-reaching consequences,…

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  • Irish Holocaust History

    Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national holiday—a time to reflect on Ireland’s complex Holocaust history On May 2, 1945, Taoiseach(prime minister) Éamon de Valera expressed condolences to the German ambassador following the death of Adolf Hitler. This gesture was met with widespread national and international criticism. Angela D. Walsh, a resident of East 44th…

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  • U2’s The Joshua Tree (1987) is the band’s fifth studio album, widely regarded as one of their most iconic and influential works. It blends rock, post-punk, and Americana influences to explore themes of spirituality, political struggle, and personal introspection. The album features some of U2’s most recognizable tracks, including “With or Without You,” “I Still…

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  • Cavan Orphanage Fire

    (Originally posted February  24, 2017) In the early hours of 24 February 1943, a fire broke out in the basement laundry of St. Joseph’s Orphanage & Industrial School run by the enclosed order of Poor Clare nuns in Main St., Cavan town. The fire very quickly turned into an inferno. The alarm was raised by…

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  • The Dwarf of Limerick

    In Limerick town, where the Shannon flows,A shadowy tale of a dwarf arose.Born under skies both gray and grim,Whispers spoke of the curse in him. His name was Mickey D, with eyes of coal,A heart as dark as the midnight’s soul.He walked with a limp, his gait askew,Yet power surged where his malice grew. In…

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  • The buzzword of the day seems to be “immigrants,” often carrying a negative connotation. But here’s the question: who exactly is an immigrant? What follows is just a brief snapshot of history—a glimpse into my family’s background, at least on my mother’s side. The picture at the beginning of this blog shows the marriage certificate…

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