Ann Malone Kern, the main character in my novel, Mixed Messages, is of Irish descent but, as far as I know, I don’t have a drop of Irish blood in my veins. However, we both live in Cincinnati, a city where the Irish played an important role. Next to the Germans, they were the largest group of immigrants between 1840 and 1910.
Cincinnati was a major destination for immigrants from Ireland who left their homeland because, due to the potato blight and resulting famine in their country, they couldn’t pay their mortgages and they were starving. Many were poor, spoke English with a brogue and were Roman Catholic with large families. Some came with nothing more than a few pieces of clothing.
The city offered many opportunities for work on the riverfront, digging for the Miami and Erie Canal and on railroad construction. Although most had hoped to become farmers, with no money and desperate to feed their families, when they arrived in the Queen City, many Irish took jobs that were dangerous and unskilled with low pay.
Through the years, the Irish have contributed greatly to our city’s growth and culture. During the Civil War, the Irish formed several militia units, which became the core of the Ohio 10th Regiment. Later, many became policemen and firemen, some were prosperous in industry and others were active in politics.
Today, we have The Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati. The IHC was founded to promote the Irish Culture through the study of customs, dance, education, film, genealogy, history, language, lectures, literature, music, mythology, poetry, social interaction, song, sport, theater and the visual arts.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
"And may you be in Heaven an hour before the devil knows you're dead."
ReplyDeleteI've been learning the Irish language for the past two years - it's really hard, but I now speak it about as well as a six month old Irish baby!
And yes, we'll be celebrating Patrick's day here in Sacramento. I am reminded of the irony, each year at about this time, that the most famous Irishman of all isn't even from Ireland. Young Pat was a Brit!
William Doonan
www.themummiesofblogspace9.com
Well, William, it sounds like my Latin American Spanish and your Irish are about at the same level. I need to get back to studying it!
DeleteHappy St. Pat's Day!
Hi, Pat, always like to stop by and see what you have to say. I'll be celebrating St. Pat's day in San Antonio. We're headed there for Epicon and the awards dinner is that night. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, Happy St. Patrick's Day, dear friend.
Marilyn
Marilyn,
DeleteI hope you have a good time in San Antonio. Best of luck!
I'm looking forward to my interview on your blog tomorrow.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too!
I have only a minimal few drips of Irish blood in my veins. But the Irish played a big role (mostly blood, sweat and tears)in the history of my home area. Erin go Bragh.
ReplyDeleteJ.R., thanks for stopping by!
DeleteDon't you just love the Irish spirit? I'm looking forward to attending an Irish celebration on St. Patrick's Day!
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice blog. I happen to be largely Irish, but didn't know about the Irish influence in Cincinnati. Thanks for the lesson. Have a happy St. Pat's day.
Jim
Thank you, Jim!
DeleteMy step-mother is Irish too and St. Patrick's Day always puts a smile on her face! She goes to the Cracker Barrel every year for corned beef and cabbage.
I hope you have a happy St. Pat's day too!
My mother was Peggy O'Hara from Boston. I'm 2nd generation American from her side. My great grandparents came over to work on the railroads.
ReplyDeleteI'll be giving a speech at the Tulare Kings Writers Association on the 17th. The topic is "Publishing: Past, Present and Future." I'll be sure and wear green.
Sunny,
DeletePeggy O'Hara from Boston! It doesn't get much more Irish than that! Any relation to Scarlet? :)
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Well, some people have accused me of being a "Miz Scarlet," especially since my Daddy's people grew tobacco in the Carolina's. One of my ancestors lost an arm in an early Civil War battle and became known as "the one-armed slave driver." As children, my father recited lines from Gone With the Wind as bedtime stories.
DeleteSo, yes, I suppose I could be related!
My Irish roots take me back to your home town, Pat. I'm descended from the Mallon family of Cincinnati. They lived in a big house on Mount Auburn. A fascinating family, and I've written a lot about them. What will I do for St. Pat's day? Green underpants.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
DeleteWhat a surprise! Your family is from Cincinnati! I love old houses and Mt. Auburn has some gorgeous homes. I wonder if the Mallon family home is still standing?
Since you're Irish, you really should do better than green underpants on St. Pat's Day! How about a nice emerald green shirt?
John,
DeleteAs I read your comment, I kept thinking, "Mallon. Why do I know that name?" Finally, the light came on. A few months ago I read (and enjoyed) "Behind the Redwood Door," a Guy Mallon Mystery!
Ah, that little poem at the end was my mother's favorite. I'm Irish, German and Mexican. What an interesting group I make. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day a bit early
Marja,
DeleteI'm a Heinz 57 Variety too. I'm Romanian, German and Greek. There are rumors that there's some Cherokee blood on my mother's side but it hasn't been proven.
Pat, I have a different lineage but can so identify with the early difficulties of immigration- migration, in my family's case. Celebration of either my own or someone else's culture and traditions is alway's fun.
ReplyDeleteTheresa,
DeleteI know exactly what you mean. My paternal grandparents came to this country from Romania in the early 1900s, determined to give their children better lives. I truly admire them.
English, German and American Indian here, but don't we all claim Irish blood on St. Patty's Day? I didn't know about the heritage center. Sounds like it would make a good day trip. And, by the way, I found TWO four leaf clovers in my yard today!.
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
DeleteI went to the Irish festival at the Irish Heritage Center yesterday with my mother, my step-mother and my step-sister (the last two are part Irish) and we had a really nice time. It was a great way to celebrate St. Pat's Day!