Everyone loves a good Irish story

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture!

This, our 1st edition, includes stories of the Irish and takes us across several time periods in history and across continents and oceans. I've chosen to place them as close to chronological order as possible (going backwards in time).

Enjoy reading the stories posted by these bloggers with the "gift of blarney" and plan to join us for the upcoming 2nd edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture.

Now for some good stories...

Apple's Tree takes us to an Irish-American neighborhood in Syracuse, New York. Her story features rock-throwing and a one-of-a-kind upside-down traffic light. Her post, Tipperary Hill, will give you an understanding of the pride of the Irish people and make you look at traffic signals in a way that you never did before.

On Steve's Genealogy Blog, which is usually all about his Polish heritage, you can find a story about an Irish branch of the family - related by marriage. Steve's story, Dennis Valentine O’Connor’s Fateful Trip to Ireland, reminds us how one little trip to Ireland can be life-changing.

Next take a step back into the mid-19th century and the American Civil War. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell the story of the men of the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry who fought for their new country with the fervor of good Irishmen and the patriotism of good Americans. Read The Fighting Irish in America's Civil War here at Small-leaved Shamrock on the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address for the story of the 69th and a tribute to these men and others who fought at the famous battle at Gettysburg.

Jump a few states over and a decade or two earlier with Janice at Cow Hampshire. Her post focuses on Irish immigrants in New Hampshire in the 1840's and 1850's and the not-so-warm-welcome that they received. Paddy Whacking in New Hampshire provides a reminder of the uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous situations that often faced the Irish people as new immigrants to America. Janice also warns us about one particular children's song which we would be better off not teaching to our children. Janice's post also includes many interesting links to sites with Irish history in general along with information about incidents in New Hampshire in particular.

During the same time period one young Irishman was enjoying life as a boy on the east coast of Ireland. The events of his life eventually took him unwillingly to Australia, where he escaped with the aid of a Catholic priest on a whaling ship to the United States. A poet and journalist, he became influential in Boston in the 19th-century, eventually becoming editor and part-owner of The Pilot, the well-known Boston Irish newspaper. Take a look at the full story I wrote about John Boyle O'Reilly's amazing life, entitled The Dreamer, over at A Light That Shines Again.

Go back to the time of the Romans through the 7th century for these next stories: Jessica at Jessica's Geneajournal highlights a book on early Irish history that she is currently reading. Her post, An Interesting Irish History Book, provides a nice introduction to Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization.

Hope you enjoy your little introduction to Irish history through the posts of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture.

The 2nd edition of the carnival will feature Irish research & resources.

Here's the specific topic:

As genealogists and historians, we're always trying to get the facts. What was the world like during a certain time and place in history? Who was there - what were their names and where did they live? What role did they play in the world around them?

Please share with us your recommendations for books and resources on Irish genealogy and history. What is your favorite (or most frustrating) database of Irish records? Can you recommend a favorite book or resource for Irish research? How about sharing your favorite Irish history books? Any online resources that have helped you in your search for Irish ancestors or your attempt to gain an understanding of Irish history in general?

I'm looking forward to receiving your recommendations via carnival entry by December 28 and publishing them on January 1, 2008 at Small-leaved Shamrock just in time for a fresh start on our projects for the new year! Even if you've never participated in a blog carnival before, please consider joining us. And if you have any ideas for topics that you would like to see on future editions of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture, please send them via email. Your ideas and suggestions are welcomed!

In the mean time,

Beannachtaí na Féile

(Happy Holidays) and

Nollaig Shona Daoibh

(Happy Christmas to all of you)!