{"id":17686,"date":"2020-11-04T15:19:34","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T19:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=17686"},"modified":"2020-11-04T15:19:34","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T19:19:34","slug":"outabout-96","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=17686","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

I presume that everyone had a good Halloween <\/strong>as again it was on a weekend and I am sure all the kids enjoyed their trick or treating dressed up in their Halloween costumes. It is a sad time always at this time of the year and here in my Out&About I want to mention some of the historical events that mark their anniversaries. <\/p>\n

Did you know that for many years the exact background story of Annie Moore<\/strong> remained uncertain, with the Cork girl\u2019s tale long confused with that of an Annie Moore who died in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas in 1923. In 2006 it was however discovered that the shy, rosy-cheeked young girl from the north side of Cork city, now immortalized in immigrant circles, took a different path.<\/p>\n

Nowadays Annie Moore is honored by two statues, one at her port of departure in Cobh and another at Ellis Island, New York, her port of arrival. Between 1892 and 1954, twelve million people passed through Ellis Island, and Annie was the first. Her image represents all those people leaving Ireland in search of the American dream.\u00a0There is a house in the shadow of Cork\u2019s Shandon Steeple, 2 Rowland\u2019s Lane, at the top of John Redmond Street Cork City. This house has a plaque on the wall stating that Annie Moore, the first person to disembark at the newly-opened landing station on Ellis Island, once lived there. The lane itself was named after Samuel Rowland<\/strong>, who was the first mayor of Cork (June 6, 1787) to wear the chain of office. This same chain was later worn by martyrs, Tom\u00e1s MacCurtain<\/strong> and Terrence MacSwiney<\/strong>, and is still worn by modern day Cork lord mayors.<\/p>\n

Annie Moore\u2019s birth certificate shows she was born in May 1874 at 154 Old Youghal Road near Collin\u2019s Barracks on the city\u2019s north side. Parish records indicate she was baptized, received first communion, and was later confirmed at St. Patrick\u2019s Church, Lower Glanmire Road. Cork City. Her parents, Julie and Matthew, later headed to New York with two of their other children. Annie was left in charge of her two young brothers, Phillip and Anthony, and the trio departed Cobh on the\u00a0SS Nevada\u00a0bound for New York on December 20, 1891.<\/p>\n

\"\"I am sure you have seen the coverage that we also gave to you on another legend Christy Ring<\/strong>, also marking a centenary and now we have a late great legend who died one hundred years ago. Kevin Gerard Barry<\/strong>\u00a0(20 January 1902 \u2013 1 November 1920) was an\u00a0Irish republican\u00a0paramilitary who was executed by the British Government during the\u00a0Irish War of Independence. He was sentenced to death for his part in an attack upon a British Army supply lorry which resulted in the deaths of three British soldiers. <\/p>\n

His execution inflamed nationalist public opinion in Ireland, largely because of his age. The timing of the execution, only days after the death by\u00a0hunger strike\u00a0of\u00a0Terence MacSwiney, the republican\u00a0Lord Mayor of Cork, brought public opinion to a fever-pitch. His death attracted international attention, and attempts were made by US and Vatican officials to secure a reprieve. His execution and MacSwiney\u2019s death precipitated an escalation in violence as the Irish War of Independence entered its bloodiest phase, and Barry became an Irish republican martyr. Let\u2019s hope we will never see the likes of this again in our lifetime.<\/p>\n

Now to put a smile back on your face as I was supposed to watch \u201cA Touch of the Poet\u201d<\/strong> produced by The Irish Repertory Theatre<\/strong> last Wednesday, which I did mind yea. The problem I had was I could not find my way to Zoom for about the first 20 minutes, I know what you are saying, what a dingbat, but I got it. What can I say? Only that Ciaran O\u2019Reilly<\/strong> has done it again, his direction was fabulous?<\/p>\n

There is a follow up show that again you should not miss and that is \u201cA Beggar upon Horseback\/A Beggar on Foot\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0with John Douglas Thompson<\/strong> which will be aired on November 9 at 7 pm and November 10 at 2 pm EDT. Reservations are free but required to access this digital event. A donation of $25 per viewer is suggested for those who can afford to give. For more information phone\u00a0(212) 727-2737 or buy tickets online at\u00a0irishrep.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here is some new on the United Irish Counties 2020 Essay Contest<\/strong>: Students who are Seniors in High School and Freshman in College and who are sons, daughters, grandchild, niece or nephews of members in good standing of an organization affiliated with the UIC in 2020 are eligible to enter the contest. <\/p>\n

The High School essay is on \u201cThe attributes of John Hume & his influence on Good Friday Agreement\u201d and the College essay is on \u201cThe legacy of Terence MacSwiney & the power of hunger strikes as a political weapon\u201d.<\/p>\n

All entries must be received no later than December 15, 2020. Entry forms and requirements Reach out to Mae O\u2019Driscoll<\/strong> (maeodriscoll@aol.com<\/a>) for information regarding College essay or Kathleen Mattessich<\/strong> (kvmattessich@gmail.com<\/a>) for the High School essay.<\/p>\n

See you all next week when I am hopefully Out&About again… <\/p>\n

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