The Tongs by the Fire
This dramatic picture was taken recently of the statue of Francis O’Neil. That’s a gorse fire raging in the background. The image was shared the image with me by my Read More …
Category: News
Saint Patrick’s Day Reading
Thanks to An Cumann: The Irish Association of Nova Scotia, for kindly inviting me to read an excerpt from Chief O’Neill for their virtual Saint Patrick’s Day Event. Although the 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 …
A Merry Christmas
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 …
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 …
Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week 2020
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 …
The Kid On The Mountain
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 …
Chief O’Neill: The Movie
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 …
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 …
Chief O’Neill: The Book, Coming This Summer
UPDATE: Due to Covid-19, publication has been delayed until May 2021. Walsh Whiskey, based in Carlow, produce a fine single malt whiskey called Writers’ Tears. It is my favourite tipple Read More …