“The Rose of Tralee” was written by William Pembroke Mulchinock, a wealthy merchant’s son from Tralee, and was first published around 1846. It’s said to be based on a true love story between Mulchinock and Mary O’Connor, a poor servant girl who worked in his family’s household.According to local legend, Mulchinock fell in love with...
“I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” has an interesting history, as it’s often mistakenly believed to be a traditional Irish song. It was actually written in 1875 by Thomas Westendorf, a German-American school teacher and composer from Plainfield, Illinois. He reportedly wrote the song for his homesick wife, who was named Kathleen. Despite its...
“When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” was written in 1912 by Chauncey Olcott and George Graff Jr., with music by Ernest Ball, for the American stage show “The Isle O’ Dreams.” Despite being composed in America rather than Ireland, it quickly became a cultural touchstone for Irish-Americans. Olcott, an Irish-American tenor who specialized in...
Camlin Castle was a prominent estate near Belleek straddling the Donegal-Fermanagh border. The mansion stood from the early 1700s until its demolition in the late 1940s. The estate’s history spans over two centuries of the Tredennick family’s residence in Ireland. Origins and Early History The Tredennick family, originally from St. Brock near Bodmin in...
Rosturk Castle is situated on the Corraun peninsula in Clew Bay, County Mayo, Ireland, offering panoramic views of the islet-studded bay and its mountainous backdrop. The original structure was a sporting lodge erected by Lieutenant-Colonel John Francis Vaughan of Courtfield, Hertfordshire. The castle was significantly enlarged and extended in the Victorian period by...
Ross Castle is situated 9 miles from Galway City at Roscahill, bordering Connemara. The property stands on the shores of Ross Lake facing Croagh Keenan mountain. The estate encompasses sixteen acres of front lawn, extensive forests with trails, and contains what is now one of the largest walled gardens in Galway. The castle holds architectural significance as it...
The Penal Laws (1695-1756) restricted Catholic religious practice in Ireland. During this period, Catholic worship moved to outdoor locations, with natural rock formations and boulders serving as altars for Mass. Site Description The Oughterlin Mass Rock is located in County Donegal, situated past Oughterlin Chapel on the road to Kerrykeel. The altar consists of...
Nestled along the banks of the River Boyne in County Louth, and located just two miles east of Drogheda, this elegant country house is one of the earliest examples of an unfortified residence in Ireland, marking a significant shift from the defensive structures of earlier periods to the more gracious living accommodations of the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
Irish surnames offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Ireland’s history and culture. These names, steeped in centuries of tradition, reflect the diverse influences that have shaped the Emerald Isle. From ancient Gaelic clans to Norman invaders, and from Viking settlers to English colonizers, each wave of history has left its mark on Irish family...
Kildare, a county steeped in myth and history, has been a witness to Ireland’s evolving story for millennia. From its ancient origins as a pagan shrine to its modern incarnation as a thriving commuter county, Kildare has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s religious, cultural, and political landscape. This article traces the rich tapestry of...