Irish America

Irish America

By Michael Quinlin

Where Shall We Seek for a Hero?
Reflections on John Boyle O’Reilly

By Michael Quinlin

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180 years after his birth on June 28, 1844, the lessons of legendary Irish rebel, patriot, poet and activist John Boyle O’Reilly deserve to be remembered and cherished. In today’s society of discontent and distrust mingled with guarded hope and optimism, O’Reilly would be hailed simultaneously as a disruptor of the status quo, a man unafraid to speak truth to power, a … [Read more...] about

Where Shall We Seek for a Hero?
Reflections on John Boyle O’Reilly

Return to Ireland

By Mary Pat Kelly
June / July 2010

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The kings of Ireland were not inaugurated in Christian churches as were other European monarchs. The chieftains stood on the high hills that enclosed the tombs of their tribal ancestors during the ceremonial rites that made them king. This image, given to us by Eamonn Kelly, Keeper of Irish Antiquities, National Museum of Ireland, resonated with our group. We were Irish … [Read more...] about Return to Ireland

The Irish American Dream

Compiled by Kara Rota, Tara Dougherty, Aliah O'Neill, Anne Thompson, and Ron Kaplan
June / July 2010

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The Irish who survived the perilous journey to America struggled to build a new life for themselves and their families in the new world, and in doing so, they would help to shape American culture. Here are just a few of our Irish heroes, Famine immigrants and their descendants, who rose to the top in the industry, arts, culture, business, and politics. Annie SullivanAnnie … [Read more...] about The Irish American Dream

The Search for Missing Friends

By Kara Rota
June / July 2010

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From 1831 through 1916, the national Boston Pilot newspaper printed some 45,000 “Missing Friends” advertisements placed by friends and relatives in attempts to locate loved ones lost during emigration. These ads, consolidated into edited volumes, provide a valuable record of a poor emigrant population trying to reach one another. Several of these volumes were edited by Emer … [Read more...] about The Search for Missing Friends

The Hands that Built America

By Kara Rota
June / July 2010

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Between 1845 and 1855, some 1.8 million left Ireland for Canada and the United States. Those who were lucky enough to survive the brutal journey to the New World were motivated by the hope of new possibilities, including the promise of employment. Ten thousand Micks They swung their picks To build the new canal But the choleray was stronger’n they And killed ’em all … [Read more...] about The Hands that Built America