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Coordinator: Shirley Starke Route 2, Box 230 Valley City, ND 58072 701 - 845 - 2382 |
Newsletter of the Irish Special Interest Group of American Mensa Uimhir 88: Men Fomhair/Deireadh Fomhair 1998 Opinions expressed are those of individual authors. Mensa as a whole has no opinions. |
A chairde,
Congratulations to Michael Greaney, whose seven-page article on the Norman invasion of Ireland, "Last of the Norman Invasions," was published in the December 1998 issue of Military History. The issue will be available until December 14, and I urge everyone in the SIG to buy a copy. I've read the article, and it was excellent, as Michael's work for Litir Sceala always is.
Comhalta Nua
Barbara G. Conley (nee Fagan), 101 Rainbow, Dr., Apt. 5297, Livingston, TX 77351-9330.
Elisabeth Evans, 4541 Sequoia Dr., #261, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Litreacha
Michael D. Greaney (6166 Leesburg Pike, #A08, Falls Church, VA 22044) writes:(Hard copy from Michael Greaney)
Not available in on line edition
Not only is Michael's article an excellent one, with a lot of new material that wasn't in his Litir Sceala series on the subject and lots of gorgeous color illustrations, but the blurb about him at the end mentions, among his credentials, his membership in the Irish Special Interest Group of American Mensa! The issue has a picture of Norman knights in battle on the cover and underneath the title "Military History,"in large letters, "NORMAN INVASION OF IRELAND." By all means, everyone, buy and read!!
He also points out that the Irish Famine Stamp, which a number of Irish-American organizations supported along with the American Irish-Celtic Stamp Committee, will be the new 33-cent first class postage rate in 1999. The Postal Service is planning to announce the official release date marking this watershed event in Irish and American history in October.Tom, although I'm very happy about the progress being made by the Cagney stamp, I think the Irish famine stamp is the biggest news I've ever heard on this front. Please tell us all about it for our next issue!
Bill (Col. William R.) Halpin (P.O. Box 1325, Arlington, VA 2210) writes, "Indirectly I was referred to you by Michael Greaney."I am researching mid-19th century Irish-American history. through this research I hope to obtain information concerning General William Halpin, Chief of Staff of the Fenian Army 1866-68. I am writing his biography."General Halpin emigrated in 1847 and settled in Cincinnati. He was active in the "Exiled Sons of Ireland" and in 1855 co-founded and was president of the "Robert Emmett Irish Immigrant Aid Society." The two organizations have proven very difficult research areas. I write you hoping you may be able to shed light or point me in the right direction."Some additional background: In 1856, in his capacity as President of the Irish Immigrant Aid Society, General Halpin was arrested, tried and acquitted of a charge of violating the 1818 Neutrality Act. His arrest was engineered by British intelligence agents and the Know-Nothings. In 1861, he joined the Union Army and by war's end he commanded the 15th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. In 1866 he was in New York as a Fenian leader. In March 1867, he led the uprising in Dublin County."I would be grateful for you assistance. My e-mail address is HalpinBill@aol.com."Thank you."Bill, I hope some our members can be of help to you. We have a least one member in Cincinnati, one who is deeply involved in the study of another area of Irish-American history (the labor movement and the Molly Maguires), and one who helps members research their family roots. Mike? Eric? Patricia? Anyone? Please give Bill whatever help you can.B C
IRISH TRAVEL NOTES, PART 4..................................................by Lisa J. Shea
DAY 7: THU MAY 29 We awoke in Oughterard at 8:30 or so, showered and dressed (well rested) and headed into town. This B & B had its own restaurant, so we had a delicious breakfast there. Then we left town and drove into Galway. We saw Salt Hill, Claddagh and such, then out past Dunguaine Castle and Corcomroe Abbey. we could see the Burren - very neat limestone low mountains. We rode to the coast to Black Head, then up to the Cliffs of Moher.
AAAAAAAAAaaarggghhhh!! Tourist Trap!! Tourist center, shop selling tapes, necklaces, dog smoking pipe, accordian, harp, flautist/puppeteer. Plus IL to "climb the tower." We went right up the regular stairs, used up the film we had and went to the car for more. Then left and...PUFFINS!! They were sooooo cute. Tiny orange feet and beaks. Tons in their little puffin holes on an outcropping. They lay eggs in April, so the babies were a month old. We walked to the left out to almost the end of the cliff path (a bit too scary for Lisa - very thin path along the cliffs) and back again. Then...escape!!
Back through the burrens along various routes, down through Ennis, past Quin Abbey, Knoppague Castle, past evil Bunratty (one of those medieval monstrosity dinner things) tourist trap. Through Limerick (blech, what a city) and through N21 of boring Limerick/Clare.
The book said to go clockwise around Dingle but instead of Castlemaine from Farranfore we hit...evil Killarney!! Argh!! So we headed home.
We hung out with Barbara and Tom. Tom took us down over the tracks to the "fishing hole" which was neat, through an electric cow fence. We saw lots of fish jumping. Back out with Pat (f) to Denehey's bar (long bar which went through more than one room! With a Heinekin "wedding" display for a contest) and then back to McCarthy's for drinks until 12:30.
(Hard copy by Michael Greaney - Liturgical Tradition, Part III)
Not available in on line edition