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Chief O'Neill

The Chicago Police Chief Who Saved Irish Music

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November 8, 2020January 15, 2021 RonanLeave a comment

Chief O’Neill: Second Excerpt

State Street in early 1871 with its characteristic covering of mud. (Source: Kogan & Cromie)

Continuing the theme from the previous post: here is the next excerpt from my forthcoming novel, Chief O’Neill. This second excerpt has also already been published by the Celtic Junction Read More …

ExcerptChicago
December 25, 2020December 25, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

A Merry Christmas

Marley's Ghost

Looking back on 2020 like Scrooge from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, there is much cause for gloomy reflection: a global pandemic wreaked (and is still wreaking) havoc all around the Read More …

NewsChicago
October 5, 2020January 15, 2021 RonanLeave a comment

Chief O’Neill: First Excerpt

Halsted Street, Chicago

I would like to start a new series on the Chief O’Neill blog. The next few posts will excerpt portions of the forthcoming book. Some of these excerpts have already Read More …

ExcerptChicago
September 6, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

Sketchy Recollections of an Eventful Life in Chicago

Chief O'Neill's Sketchy Recollections of an Eventful Life in Chicago

The above image is of my personal copy of Chief O’Neill’s memoirs, collected and extensively annotated by his great-granddaughter Mary Lesch and Chicago historian Ellen Skerrett. I was fortunate enough Read More …

Reviewbantry, Chicago
July 29, 2020August 3, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

The Sherlock Holmes of Chicago

Nov. 25, 1906, edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune highlighting Wooldridge's many disguises. (Chicago Tribune)

Francis O’Neill was a Chicago detective for many years before his appointment as police chief. His memoirs outline several interesting cases: how he helped upset confidence schemes and violent crimes Read More …

History, NewsChicago, police
July 1, 2020July 1, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week 2020

Francis O'Neill (Virtual) Irish Arts Week

2020 has been a tough year in so many ways, and yet people are adapting like never before. Take for example, the Irish Music School of Chicago. For ten years Read More …

NewsChicago, festival
June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

Two Years Before the Mast

The Emerald Isle

Francis O’Neill is remembered for his huge contribution to Irish music while Chicago police chief at the turn of the last century. But not many know about his life at Read More …

HistorySea
May 11, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

The Kid On The Mountain

Francis O'Neill Statue

If you drive about ten minutes outside Bantry, you might come upon a solitary flute player in a quiet glen, surrounded by the foothills of the Kerry mountains. It’s Chief Read More …

Newsbantry, Cork
April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 Ronan2 Comments

Chief O’Neill: The Movie

Cillian Murphy With Mustache

This blog is delighted to announce the forthcoming movie adaptation of Chief O’Neill. Cork native John Crowley (Brooklyn, Intermission) is to direct. Cillian Murphy, also a native of County Cork, Read More …

NewsAlexandria, California, Chicago, Cork, ireland, Japan
March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

Saint Patrick’s Day

Chicago River Dyed Green for St. Patrick's Day

What would Chief O’Neill have made of some of the more outrageous aspects of modern Saint Patrick’s day? I remember, as a teenager in the 1980s, visiting downtown Chicago to Read More …

History, NewsChicago

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  • A Merry Christmas
  • Chief O’Neill: Second Excerpt
  • Chief O’Neill: First Excerpt
  • Sketchy Recollections of an Eventful Life in Chicago
  • The Sherlock Holmes of Chicago
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