“The fools, the fools, the fools! They have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.”

Pádraig Pearse’s melodramatic graveside oration at the funeral of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin in August 1915, indeed, the entire event, with its massive attendance and global press coverage, is widely credited as having been an important trigger for the Easter Rising and the bloody path to Irish independence.

In a photo of the committee that organized O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral, the cortège of which drew 8,000 participants, you will see the faces of many well-known figures from the Rising and beyond: Pearse, Arthur Griffith, James Connolly, Thomas Clarke.

But one figure is conspicuous by her absence, despite her pivotal role in arranging the funeral: Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa’s widow, Mary Jane.

She was keenly aware of the public relations potential of the event. As an author, touring speaker, and contributor to many news outlets, a woman with a high degree of awareness of what we would call PR today, she had purposely set about utilizing her husband’s burial to leverage higher Republican goals.

She even wrote a letter, published in the extensive funeral program pamphlet, reminding attendees that Jeremiah, despite rumors he had softened in his latter years, had remained a fervent nationalist intent on ending all British rule in Ireland up until the end of his life.

A poet and author who had for years helped her exiled husband to run a nationalist newspaper in New York, Mary Jane reportedly over-ride her husband’s wishes to be buried in his native Cork, opting instead for the pomp, ceremony, and publicity of a Glasnevin burial, where she purchased a plot for 20 pounds.

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This week I am joined by Tom Browne. The President of the NY Cork Association. He has lots of interesting facts and updates on the Association and their St Patrick's events coming up.

Enjoy the interview. Thank you for tuning in.

If you want to know more about the Association click on the link below.

I am joined by the Vice Chairperson of the New York GAA Minor Board Mike Brosnan.

Dinner Dance and Awards Feb 3rd, 2024

This week I am honored to be joined by Maureen Forrest, such an inspirational lady. What a Story! She has met with Mother Teresa and was inspired by her. Maureen has helped tens of thousands of children in Kolkata India

Enjoy our Chat and thank you for listening.

I had a lovely chat with Nollaig Cleary Past Chairperson of the NY Ladies GAA. Nollaig is being celebrated for all her hard work over the years by the Ladies GAA on Fri Jan 19th .

The NY Ladies GAA is over 30 years old, we chat about the bygone days and now and much more. Enjoy our chat.

NY Ladies GAA

Danny Browne has been involved with the NY GAA Minor Board for the last 15 years.

The Minor Board has just announced that they have acquired a New Home in Redmond Park New York.

Danny chats about the minor board and all the happenings and its future. Enjoy my chat and thank you for listening!

https://nymbgaa.com/

Irish Co.Cork singer Carol O Keeffe chats on this week's show. She has always been a singer. But just last Monday she and her friend Lisa Love songwriter got together and decided to put "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" out before Christmas have a listen. I was told there are plenty more songs in the pipeline.

Folks I am delighted to have the opportunity to chat with Susan Gillispie a very talented lady from Co Mayo in Ireland and now living in the Bronx NY .

She has joined forces with Gerard Corbett, and their band is the Susan and Gerard Band which has been described as a band with Dazzling vocals, brilliant harmonies, musical versatility and the ability to entertain audiences both young and old, this has earned Gerard Corbett and Susan Gillespie (‘Susan & Gerard’) the respect and admiration of fans, listeners, patrons and peers everywhere! Hope you enjoy our chat.

Thrilled to be able to chat with Michelle once again, this time it was about her new publication Famine in Cork City.

This week I was delighted to chat to Katie Daly, an amazing woman with a world of experience, on affordable tours to Ireland. If you're planning a trip to Ireland she is the lady to speak to.

https://katiedalysireland.com/

Katie Daly’s Ireland, is an Ireland destination specialist that captures Ireland, its people and its experiences, in carefully hand-crafted, custom-made unique tours for individuals and small groups.