By Brian McGowan
My grandfather, Frank McGowan, left Ireland in 1890, to seek his fortune in America. He was a post-Famine Irishman, raised on his parents’ memories of the Gorta Mór, or Great Hunger, of the 1840s, when millions of Irish starved to
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan We’re in the month where all eyes turn to the Patron Saint of Ireland, as well as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Facing a second consecutive year without a parade, hearts are understandably bereft. But
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan In another month we’ll be in the throes of St. Patrick’s Day, typically the “Holy Season” of grand parades, festivities, spiritual worship, quiet reflection and general celebration of all things Irish – or not – depending upon
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan This month we cross the Irish Sea to Scotland, and the birthday celebration of its most beloved bard, Robert Burns. Burns, still widely and wildly celebrated 261 years after his birth, is one of the enduring cultural
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan Many religious traditions and observances have their roots in pre-Christian beliefs, and Christmas is no exception. Bear in mind that sacred scripture says nothing definitive about when Jesus was born. It wasn’t until the 4th century A.D.
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan The Irish ballad “Paddy’s Lament” recalls the fate that awaited countless Irish immigrants on their arrival in the United States: “When we got to Yankee-land, they shoved a gun into our hands, saying ‘Paddy, you must go
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan With all the tumult over Christopher Columbus and political correctness, it may be time to resurrect a far-earlier discoverer of North America, and give credit where credit is due. In this particular case, that credit must go
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan What U.S. Army division first put “boots on the ground” in Europe during the second World War, and where did those boots land? Soldiers of the 133rd Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 34th Infantry Division (“Red
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan All immigrant groups are proud of their heritage, few more so than Irish-Americans. It is a heritage to be proud of, with few blemishes. One that cannot be ignored, however, is the role the Irish played in
Read MoreBy Brian McGowan In a recent issue we spoke of the cláirseach, or harp, as a musical instrument immediately and passionately identified with Ireland, and Turlough O’Carolan, the most famous of Irish harpers. But Ireland is not the only country
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