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Chief O'Neill

The Chicago Police Chief Who Saved Irish Music

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Author: Ronan

November 2, 2019October 5, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

The New Policeman

State Street Chicago 1870s

The story of O’Neill as a new policeman is described in my book Chief O’Neill. I am pleased to announce that the relevant section is excerpted in the latest issue of the Celtic Junction Arts Review which you can read here: https://celticjunction.org/cjac/arts-review/#policeman

History, NewsChicago
October 13, 2019March 1, 2021 Ronan2 Comments

The Grassy Green Pillow

Parents Tombstone

On a recent visit to West Cork, I had the fortune to properly explore Tralibane and the surrounding area. I was bowled over by the hospitality of the people there, Read More …

HistoryAnna, Cork
September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 RonanLeave a comment

Bantry Chief O’Neill Festival 2019

FrancisONeillBantry2019

Bantry is a beautiful town in West Cork, not too far from Tralibane where Francis O’Neill was born. This year’s 2019 Chief O’Neill festival kicks off tomorrow (September 6) in Read More …

Newsbantry, Cork, festival
August 19, 2019September 24, 2019 RonanLeave a comment

The Day the Chief was Assassinated

In 1897, Mark Twain was reported to have made this famous statement upon being confronted with his obituary by a reporter in London. Francis O’Neill, a few years later as Read More …

History
July 27, 2019February 6, 2020 RonanLeave a comment

The Tragedy of Tralibane Bridge

If you closely read O’Neill’s work, Tralibane bridge turns out to be personally very important to him, as a place and a tune.

HistoryCork
July 15, 2019July 15, 2019 RonanLeave a comment

Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week July 29-August 2, 2019

It’s coming up! This year’s Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week is only 2 weeks away. This will be the 9th annual Irish Cultural Summer program at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago.

NewsChicago
June 24, 2019September 14, 2019 Ronan2 Comments

Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House, 5444 S. Drexel Avenue, Chicago, IL

Did you know the Chicago Ronald McDonald House was once Francis O’Neill’s home?

HistoryChicago
June 1, 2019March 1, 2021 RonanLeave a comment

The Little Fair Child

Image from one of Francis O'Neill's Scrapbooks

Although Francis O’Neill left a memoir, it contains very little mention of the tragedies of his personal life: he and his wife Anna lost 6 of their 10 children. Most Read More …

HistoryAnna, Chicago
April 9, 2019June 30, 2019 RonanLeave a comment

Jigs To Jacobites

There has been a lot of competition for Jigs to Jacobites by Orfhlaith Ni Bhrian and Mick McCabe since this wonderful book arrived at our house. This is an excellent Read More …

Review
April 2, 2019April 1, 2019 RonanLeave a comment

Folk Music In Fiction: A Fascinating Discussion

An interesting discussion on thesession.org about Irish (or more broadly traditional) music in works of fiction led to the following list. The last item is my own, as yet unpublished, Read More …

Review

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