The last time it happened...The Irish were to blame.℘℘℘The election results are in. The presidential candidate of the incumbent Democratic party has won the popular vote but lost the election because one big state has narrowly swung to the Republicans. Commentators blame the Democratic loss, in part, on defections among a key ethnic group many of whom had been led to believe … [Read more...] about The Last Word
Irish Immigrants
Dreaming of Freedom
A new exhibit in Boston traces the city's history as a gateway to the United States and freedom. A state-of-the-art multimedia exhibition honoring Boston's diverse mix of immigrants has opened to the public at the city's new $3 million Dreams of Freedom Center. Located at One Milk Street, the birth site of Benjamin Franklin Dreams of Freedom invites visitors to take a virtual … [Read more...] about Dreaming of Freedom
The King Ranch
How the orphaned son of Irish immigrants ended up owning one of the largest cattle ranches in Texas.Kingsville, Texas: You look across the flat, dry miles stretching to the horizon, land that was even more foreboding 150 years ago, and wonder how an Irish river pilot could see this developing as the epicenter of the American cattle industry. This was the Wild Horse Desert or … [Read more...] about The King Ranch
Photo Album: Happy Holidays!
The celebration of Christmas at Rockefeller Center started informally in 1931 when workmen involved in the construction of the Center placed a small tree on the Fifth Avenue site of the British Empire Building and La Maison Francaise (the two buildings which today separate The Channel Gardens). The tree was decorated with tinsel and gaily colored ornaments. In this photo, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Happy Holidays!
The Perils of Pat
Peter Quinn writes about his immigrant grandfather.℘℘℘The man on the horse is my paternal grandfather, Patrick Francis Quinn. The date is September 5, 1904. Pat is about to take his place as grand marshal of the New York City Labor Day Parade. The horse was rented for the occasion. I have the sash he is wearing in the photograph, a piece of faded blue silk embroidered with gold … [Read more...] about The Perils of Pat