Most historians directly associate the explosion that occurred on Black Tom’s Island on July 30, 1916 with German saboteurs. Which is accurate, but history has all but erased any connection between this German plot and the Irish Republican movement in the United States, which at the time was a very powerful lobby. Particularly in New York,Continue reading “Black Tom Explosion, 1916”
Author Archives: Eamon
Battle: Light and Darkness
The death of famous cinematographer Gordon Willis reminds of the ancient symbolic battle in literature and film: Light vs. Darkness. As a historical novelist, my work is greatly influenced not only by French and Irish literature, but also by the films of the 1970s. A great independence, comparatively speaking, had already set in in Hollywood afterContinue reading “Battle: Light and Darkness”
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Hope and Gerry Cooney
“Cranford is only four square miles,” Joe’s son said in the kitchen. I sipped the coffee. “Everyone kind of knows everyone,” Joe said in his matter-of-fact tone. Joe and I stepped outside his home and we both smelled the April air, felt the warm wind with only a slight bite left to it. “It wasContinue reading “Hope and Gerry Cooney”
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Malachy McCourt reads from ‘Diddicoy’ (text included)
Well, if you are wondering what “Light of the Diddicoy” reads like, here is a master storyteller to relate it to you. Mr. Malachy McCourt reads from Chapter 12 called “The Runner.” Below is the actual text, if you would like to read along: Loaded with moon-faced Italians, Sackett, Degraw and Union Streets in RedContinue reading “Malachy McCourt reads from ‘Diddicoy’ (text included)”
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Barrow Street Theatre-Reading
What an incredible evening. I am really finding myself to be quite possibly the luckiest writer on the circuit. After arriving in the city, I hung around Greenwich Village and visited the old haunts of my grandparents and great-grandparents at 463 Hudson Street, the saloon that was in my family from 1906 to the lateContinue reading “Barrow Street Theatre-Reading”
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Barrow Street Theatre
We have some big news to report here at artofneed, but first off, Happy Holidays to you all. I hope everyone is having good cheer with family and friends and able to enjoy these times. Second, I’m sorry I haven’t had many posts lately. I just moved, and since this is the WORST time of yearContinue reading “Barrow Street Theatre”
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The Immigrant Story of Thomas & Honora Lynch
Thomas Lynch was born in 1876 in Coolmeen, County Clare, Ireland and died on June 23, 1953. His father was Denis Lynch*1 (1825-1908) and his mother was Ellen Cunningham Kelly (1839-1926). His parents lived very long lives through Ireland’s greatest tragedy of what I will refer to as The Great Hunger (also named “Irish PotatoContinue reading “The Immigrant Story of Thomas & Honora Lynch”
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Code of Silence
Irishtown’s Code of Silence “That alley was the most turbulent spot in Irishtown,” so said a man who called himself the Gas Drip Bard in an 1899 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle about a dangerous place off Gold Street in the mid 1800s. “It would be worth a policeman’s life to enter there afterContinue reading “Code of Silence”
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PJ Clarke’s
The best way to learn about history is to ask an elder. Sure you can consult the internet or the library, but there is not a more authentic and traditional way than to simply listen and breathe in the story from someone who was there. Especially over a drink or two. In the book OverContinue reading “PJ Clarke’s”
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Longing Eyebrows
I, for one, can’t wait. When the time longs into my soul and the creak in my knees cause gentle steps, I’ll grow long my eyebrows. I’ll let them loose on my face as I chase away the last days of my living. Now I stand though. I have son and daughters rearing up onContinue reading “Longing Eyebrows”
