Posts by Michael Quinlin

Emma Donoghue Dublin-born Emma Donoghue, now living in Canada, is an award-winning author of novels and short story collections that cover a range of topics, from convent school life in Ireland and emigration to lesbian fiction and historical novels. Her writing evokes a pleasant combination of Canadian short story master Alice Munro and Irish novelist…

Christopher Klein Boston-born John L. Sullivan, the larger-than-life heavyweight boxer who dom­inated American sports lore in the late 19th century, had a fascinating life as a first generation Irish-American chasing the immigrant dream of success and fame. He achieved both, as author Christopher Klein recounts in this masterful, engaging biography of America’s first sports superstar….

Gerard O’Neill The veteran Boston Globe reporter traces the domination of Irish-Americans in 20th century Boston politics. O’Neill’s scope goes from John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, the first Irish-American mayor elected in 1906 to Ray Flynn, Boston mayor from 1984-93.  Titans like James M. Curley, Kevin White and Bill Bulger are also covered, alongside a fascinating…

James Redfearn It is 1919, the year of the infamous Boston Police strike, and rookie cop Willie Dwyer is on the beat at Roxbury Crossing. Dwyer had fled Ballinasloe, Galway a decade earlier, after being caught up in Ireland’s rebellion, and here he is now upholding a civic order that is about to come crashing…

Brendan Cronin Irish Master Chef Brendan Cronin has published his first book, Cheffin: From Potatoes to Cavier.  It’s a lively, engaging story that begins on a small dairy farm and ends in the finest hotels and restaurants in the world. Cronin, who teaches hospitality management at Endicott College, attained the prestigious Swiss Culinary title of…

Charley Rosen Veteran sports writer and author Charley Rosen has pulled together a light-hearted, anecdotal narrative of how Irish-American baseball players shaped the early days of baseball.  Some of the best players and most outlandish characters have local connections, like Mike King Kelly, the game’s first superstar, and Connie Mack (Cornelius McGilllicuddy), born in East…

Ryan Tubridy Irish journalist Ryan Tubridy tells the fascinating story of President Kennedy’s famous trip to Ireland in June 1963, which transformed both the president and the Irish people.  The book is beautifully designed and printed, which is an extra bonus as a keepsake item.  It’s available at the JFK Library gift shop in Boston….

Harold Griffin This fascinating novel, based on a true story, tells the story of 14 year old Francis Carroll, who overhears a violent confrontation between two farmers – Connors and Ferrigan – that ends in one of them being murdered with an ax.  The setting for the novel is a close-knit Canadian-Irish farming settlement north…