Modern-Day New York Guardsmen Honor Civil War ‘Irish Brigade’

On Dec. 13, 1862, a brigade of Union infantrymen, many of them Irish Catholic immigrants who had settled in Brooklyn and Queens, attacked a fortified Confederate position along the high ground south of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The so-called “Irish Brigade” comprised five regiments, three from New York City: the 63rd, 69th, and 88th.

Great Irish Fair 2019

Irish culture reigned as the 38th annual Great Irish Fair took over the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island. Following the Mass and awards ceremony, a full day of Irish music filled the venue as thousands in attendance danced and sang along.

The Faith of the Irish

Dear Editor: Reflecting on The Great Irish Fair, we remember that terrible period in the past when the Catholic faith was outlawed in Ireland. For 300 years, there was persecution, subjugation and enforced poverty. Irish churches were closed and burnt to the ground. Mass was outlawed and priests were fugitives, hunted down, tortured and killed. The Irish people suffered greatly for their faith.