Irish Eclectic

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

By 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

By 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.

By 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

By 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

By 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

By 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