National Famine Memorial Cuimhneachán Náisiúnta ar an n Gorta Mór in Murrisk, Connacht, in County Mayo

Coffin Ships are a rather sad part of Irish history. Originating during the Great Irish Famine, and of course the prison ships to Botany Bay. The first vessel with Irish convicts for Botany Bay arrived in Port Jackson on 26 September 1791.

They were called “coffin ships,” because so many poor souls had been dying on them as of late, leaving behind widows and orphans and broken families. Typically untrustworthy vessels, these ships were purchased literally from salvage yards (where they awaiting dismantling) by unscrupulous owners who had no intention of repairing them. Sailors who agreed to serve on board these floating wrecks typically knew nothing of the dangers until they were well out at sea, vagabonds, and those desperate for work (of which there were plenty) quickly volunteered.

Concerned only with profits, these same ship owners heavily overburdened the ships then insured them against expected losses of cargo. They were quite literally worth more at the bottom of the sea than upon it.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: America, Brehon Law, British North America, Coffin Ship, Daniel McDonagh, Famine, Gerard Keegan, History, Ireland, irish, New York, poverty, Quebec, Robert Whyte, Technorati

The Mechanic is deployed yet again. So I have again been asked to assist in keeping some regular content at his website Frozen in Drum, a Fort Drum, and 10th Mountain focused MilBlog.

Drop in over there sometime, say Hi. Wander around.

Just make sure we don’t let the dog out unsupervised all right?

Tags: 10th Mountain, Army, blog, Fort Drum, Guest Blogging, Milblog, Military, New York, Technorati

You know, right or wrong there is a implied slant to this story that just makes my blood boil.

She also told the story of her father’s death in 1965, saying he was killed by white men who were never charged. She said she made a commitment to stay in the South the night of her father’s death, despite the dreams she had always had of leaving her rural town.

I have, quite literally, lived all over this country.

I call Georgia home solely because I lived there longer than anywhere else. From 1986 until 1996 it was my home, still standing as the longest stretch in anyone place for me.

In that time I saw a lot of thing. Racism was not the common thing however.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Buffalo, Hate, New York, racism, Sheila Sherrod, South, Technorati, True story

I first wrote this back in 2007 at Techography. With Calimus’ help I have dug it from the archives and republished it here, once again. Enjoy. -BloodSpite

Now that I”ve learned a great deal about Northern Ireland, there are things I can say about it: that it”s an unhealthy and morbid place, where people learn to die from the time that they”re children; where we”ve never been able to forget our history and our culture-which are only other forms of violence; where it”s so easy to deride things and people; where people are capable of much love, affection, human warmth and generosity. But, my God! How much we know how to hate! Every two or three hours, we resurrect the past, dust it off and throw it in someone”s face.

-Betty Williams Northern Irish Peace activist, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

It”s almost time ye see.

Time to dust off the green carnations, the Erin Go Bragh pins.

Time to remember, and time to celebrate.

It has been said, albeit sometimes bitterly, that Irelands best exports were her son”s and daughters. But they have kept the faith, however Americanized. Little Ireland, poor and underpopulated, with it”s humble patron Saint unknown in the rest of the Christian world causing all the fuss one day a year on a day in March.

Saint Patrick”s Day in New York is the most fantastic affair, and in past years on Fifth Avenue, from Forty-fourth Street to Ninety-Sixth Street, the white traffic lines were painted green for the occasion. All the would-be Irish, has-been Irish, and never-been Irish seem to appear true-blue Irish overnight. Everyone is in on the act, but it is a very jolly occasion and I have never experienced anything like it anywhere else in the world

Brendan Benhan Brendan Benhan”s New York

My grandfather used to joke.

“Do ye know what St Patrick”s Day is in New York?”

My grandfather moved south to Georgia, the mountains of the time in the North of the state wild, to escape the lack of jobs and the No Irish Need Applysigns that plagued him upon his arrival to the land of milk and honey.

“No Grandpa.” said I, the youth and unknowing. A babe in the woods.  ” What is St Patrick”s Day in New York?”

“St Patrick”s Day In New York is the day all the factory owners on Fifth Avenue watch their employee”s parade in the streets.” he roared, laughing at his  joke that took me years to understand.

Englishmen, Scotchmen, Jews, do well in Ireland- Irishman, never; even the patriot has to leave Ireland to get a hearing.

George Moore

Each day of the Weekend, for the rest of March I will supply some tidbits on life in Ireland, stories my family has past to me, both of their time in Armagh, and upon their arrival here in the US.

I hope that you will See St Patrick”s Day to be more than just a time for green carnations, green beer and music. I hope you will see just what it means for those of us who are Irish, in America.

Thus when you raise your green glass, to your mates and your friends, and you hear the words of every lasses lover in the lyrics of Danny Boy, you”ll have a tear in your eye and your heart, for a people who at once are ready for anything, and prepared for nothing, and proud just the same.

Tags: Betty Williams, Brendan Benhan, George Moore, Ireland, irish, Irish American, New York, St Patricks Day, St. Patrick, Technorati