Byrne brings one of Ireland’s ancient and respected families to vivid life. His epic of the O’Byrne family begins in 16th Century County Wicklow, as they struggle to counter English aggression and maintain their landholdings. The story continues through their emigration to America in 1818, settling in Catholic Baltimore, with insights into what is to
The great Irish famine was a horrific period in Irish history of incredible calamity, suffering, and death. The proximal cause of this disaster was the Irish dependence on the potato crop and, of course, the subsequent blight. However, the ensuing disaster caused by the loss of the potato crop was exacerbated by political, economic, and
Photographer and Baltimore native, Denny Lynch will share his fascinating slide illustrated talk about the Battle of Baltimore. It was in September of 1814 that American soldiers stood up once more to one of Europe's great military powers. Many of these soldiers were Irish. With his photographic images, Denny will highlight the main events and
In 1800 there were scarcely any Catholics in Newport, but by the mid-19th Century their numbers had risen dramatically, driven by immigration from Ireland. By 1880, the city’s one Catholic parish had grown so large that it had to be divided. Over the next seven decades, the Catholic Church continued to expand its presence in
Professor McCarron received his B.A. from Drew University, his M.A. from Florida State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire. His courses at Stonehill include "Irish-American Experience”; “The Immigrant Experience in American History” and "Ireland: From Colony to Nation State”. Dr. McCarron has written numerous articles including "Altered States: Turone Migration to
Historian Edward T. O'Donnell’s talk will explore the origins and workings of the “political machine” and why the Irish were uniquely suited to take advantage of it. He will also discuss the Irish political machine as an agent of charity and social welfare in an era when the poor had few places to turn for
American writer Thornton Wilder once described Newport as a community made up of nine cities, each with its separate identity. Like Theophilus North’s fictional Newport of 1926, each city has its own story to tell and Nora Mulloy’s is one of them. Born in County Roscommon Ireland, Nora Mulloy immigrated to Newport and like many
Historian, lecturer and Baltimore native, Denny Lynch will present a slide-illustrated talk examining some of the fascinating ties that have existed between his state and the nation of Ireland. Using his beautiful images, Denny will reveal how these connections have manifested themselves throughout Maryland's history. He will also highlight the role that Baltimorean Catherine Harper
One can does not talk about 20th century Ireland without considering Eamon DeValera. No one was more controversial, and no one had a greater effect in shaping Ireland in his own image than "Dev". Without question, during his time in power, DeValera was one of the greatest politicians on the world stage. With power, however,
Newporter’s may remember Justice Murray from her twenty-year service as “The Newport Judge” on R.I. Superior Court, or for her two decades of tenure as the first woman Supreme Court Justice in Rhode Island. Most are not aware of the broad range of professional achievements and civic contributions of this Fifth Ward-raised member of the
Irish immigrant John Gordon was the last person executed by the State of Rhode Island, after his conviction for the murder of Cranston mill owner, Amasa Sprague, in 1843. Ken Dooley will speak about his play, which sheds new light on this infamous 165-year-old incident. Dooley’s meticulously researched and intriguing play dramatizes just how and
This Irish-language title for the “Irish Volunteers” of 1913 was retained when the Volunteers became known in English as the “Irish Republican Army” (IRA) during the War of Independence of 1919-1922. Ireland has had a long history of violent opposition to British occupation, and, in his talk, Dr. Matthews will discuss the rise of the
