Ireland XO News

County in Focus: Cavan

Clogh Oughter Castle, (pictured below) located on a small island in Lough Oughter, was the stronghold of the O’Reilly clan from the mid 13th century up until around 1600. The O’Reilly name is synonymous with Cavan.

IrelandXO Guide to Irish Monasteries

Early Christian Ireland has inspired wonder and intrigue in both the inhabitants of Ireland and visitors to her shores for countless years. Here we have listed 10 of our favourite Irish Monastic Sites dating as far back as the 6th century.

County in Focus: Waterford

County Waterford (Irish: Contae Phort Láirge) is located in the province of Munster.

Hurling - The Fastest Game in the World

Nothing feels more Irish to us than taking in the excitement of an All-Ireland Final.

What is a Parish?

Is a civil parish the same as a church parish in Ireland?

John Steinbeck: I Go Back To Ireland

John Steinbeck, Nobel prize-winning author visited County Derry, Northern Ireland, in August 1952, in search of his roots. He wrote from Derry city, on 17 August 1952, to his friend and editor Pat Covici:

The Story of the Ship Faithful Steward

The emigration trade established Londonderry as one of the chief Irish ports for transatlantic trade in the 18th century. Links between the cities of Londonderry and Philadelphia were established through trade.

10 Facts about Land Ownership

Irish Serving Girls & Housemaids

Picture above: Austin's servants from the Poole Photography Collection at the National Libary of Ireland

Irish Famine Migration to Quebec, Canada

An Gorta Mór, or the Great Hunger, affected the Island of Ireland from 1845 to 1852.  During those years, an estimated 2.1 million Irish, or one-fourth of Ireland's pre-famine population, left the country. The potato blight hit many countries in Europe and the Americas.