Niall O'Dowd Livres

Discover the untold story of the vital role the Irish played in the American Revolution.George Washington changed the world and saved democracy by defeating the British during the American War of Independence. The Irish role in the American Revolution, the war for the ages, has never been correctly reported. Because many of the Irish who fought were poor and illiterate and left no memoirs, their stories and role have never been told. Until now. The Irish played a huge role in the American Revolution, not just on the battlefield but also in the field hospitals and in the framing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn the story of the famous spy Hercules Mulligan, who saved George Washington’s life on two occasions and who was famously portrayed by Okieriete Onaodowan in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit Hamilton . Discover the story of Edward Hoban, a carpenter from Ireland who Washington tasked with building the most famous residence in the the White House.Niall O’Dowd, author of Lincoln and the Irish and A New Ireland , takes readers on a journey into the unexplored contributions of the Irish in the American Revolution and behind the scenes of the relationships of some of those men and women with the first president of the United States. These unsung heroes of the American Revolution have never gotten their due, never had their story told, until now, in  George Washington and the Irish. 

The autobiography offers an insightful look into the life of O'Dowd, the founder and editor of "The Irish Voice" newspaper. It chronicles his journey in journalism, detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced while shaping a prominent platform for Irish voices. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, O'Dowd shares his experiences in the media landscape, highlighting the importance of cultural representation and community engagement in his work. The narrative is both a personal memoir and a testament to the impact of journalism in society.

"It's not your father's Ireland. Not anymore. A story of modern revolution in Ireland told by the founder of IrishCentral, Irish America Magazine, and the Irish Voice newspaper. In a May 2019 countrywide referendum, Ireland voted overwhelmingly to make abortion legal; three years earlier, it had done the same with same-sex marriage, becoming the only country in the world to pass such a law by universal suffrage. Pope Francis's visit to the country saw protests and a fraction of the emphatic welcome that Pope John Paul's had seen forty years earlier. There have been two female heads of state since 1990, the first two in Ireland's history. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, an openly gay man of Indian heritage, declared that "a quiet revolution had taken place." It had. For nearly all of its modern history, Ireland was Europe's most conservative country. The Catholic Church was its most powerful institution and held power over all facets of Irish life. As recently as thirty years ago, Ireland was fighting bitterly over allowing condoms to be legal, and the best of the crozier remained a social and political death sentence. But as scandal eroded the Church's hold on Irish life, a new Ireland has flourished. War in the North has ended, with help of President Bill Clinton and his negotiator, George Mitchell. EU membership and an influx of American multinational corporations for tax benefits have helped Ireland weather economic depression and transform from a land of rural cottiers to Europe's headquarters for Apple, Facebook, and Google. With help from prominent Irish and Irish American voices like historian and bestselling author Tim Pat Coogan and the New York Times's Maureen Dowd, A New Ireland tells the story of a modern revolution against all odds."-- Provided by publisher

From the founder of IrishCentral, a fascinating piece of Civil War history: Lincoln’s relationship with the immigrants arriving in America to escape the Irish famine. “If you’re a Lincoln fan like me, you’ll love this book.” —Liam Neeson When Pickett charged at Gettysburg, it was the all-Irish Pennsylvania 69th who held fast while the surrounding regiments broke and ran. And it was Abraham Lincoln who, a year earlier at Malvern Hill, picked up a corner of one of the Irish colors, kissed it, and said, “God bless the Irish flag.” Renowned Irish-American journalist Niall O’Dowd gives unprecedented insight into a relationship that began with mutual disdain. Lincoln saw the Irish as instinctive supporters of the Democratic opposition, while the Irish saw the English landlord class in Lincoln’s Republicans. But that dynamic would evolve, and the Lincoln whose first political actions included intimidating Irish voters at the polls would eventually hire Irish nannies and donate to the Irish famine fund. When he was voted into the White House, Lincoln surrounded himself with Irish staff, much to the chagrin of a senior aide who complained about the Hibernian cabal. And the Irish would repay Lincoln’s faith—their numbers and courage would help swing the Civil War in his favor, and among them would be some of his best generals and staunchest advocates.

The Irish Famine led to a mass exodus to America, where immigrants faced significant discrimination. Despite their hardships, these newcomers profoundly influenced American society. Key figures, including Henry Ford and JFK, contributed to various fields, while the Irish played crucial roles in the Civil War, labor unions, and the establishment of essential institutions like the Catholic Church and public services. Their legacy includes a rich cultural impact, highlighted by literary contributions from Nobel laureate Eugene O'Neill, shaping the nation in numerous ways.