Book Review in The Irish Times
It was a pleasure to revisit Bantry, County Cork and catch up with friends and relations. We even got a chance to meet with the man himself! UPDATE: A friend Read More …
Category: History
Talking History
This Sunday, I will be discussing Chief O’Neill with Patrick Geoghegan on Newstalk radio. The show looks at the human side of historical figures, beyond the dry facts of their Read More …
From Cork to Chicago: A Fascinating Journey
[This is a cross-post from The Bookshop.ie Blog] As a child in the Eighties, I came across Francis O’Neill’s 1001 Gems: The Dance Music of Ireland in our local book Read More …
Bringing The Past To Life
I have joked before about making a movie about Francis O’Neill, imagine my surprise when I was able to bring the famous chief of police and music collector to life Read More …
The Boys of the West
Francis O’Neill was a multi-faceted character: Chicago chief of police, avid Irish music collector and player, successful real estate investor. You wouldn’t know this from the stern photographs that survive. Read More …
The Sherlock Holmes of Chicago
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 …
Two Years Before the Mast
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 …
Saint 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 …
East At Glendart
Nineteenth century figures who came from the Far West and loved the Far East.
The New Policeman
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