Hello and welcome
to Ireland’s Own.

This week our cover story is ‘Hail to the Chief’. Colette O’Flaherty, Ireland’s Chief Herald and Keeper of Special Collections, at the National Library of Ireland, talks to our late friend, Mary Sheerin. The Office of the Chief Herald is part of the Genealogy and Heraldry division of the National Library of Ireland. The Chief Herald is responsible for the granting and confirming of arms to individuals and corporate bodies. All arms granted are recorded in the Register of Arms, maintained since the foundation of the Office in 1552. Sadly, Mary Sheerin, who has been a long-time contributor and friend of Ireland’s Own, recently passed away in the time since she completed this article. May she rest in peace.

The great author, Edgar Allan Poe, was the writer of the first detective story in English literature and is remembered by Helen Morgan. The Matise Chapel is a masterpiece of sacred art, entirely conceived and decorated by Henri Matisse, and it was considered by the painter himself as his masterpiece, writes Margaret Smith.

In his Islands of Ireland series, David Mullen visits Dorinish, Co. Mayo, while in ‘The Ballad Sheet’. In part Eugene Dunphy delves into the history of two Irish songs ‘Snowy Breasted Pearl’ and ‘Dear Little Shamrock’.

Con McGrath continues his ‘Role of the Irish in WW2’ series, this week featuring Frank McCarthy, who served on the staff of Gen. George Marshall. Morty Oge O’Sullivan, from Cork, was a hero of the Jacobite cause, and met an ignominious end in his native county, Pat Poland recalls.

It has been 80 years since the bombing of Dublin’s North Strand, and Breda Nathan recalls the night four Germna bombs wreaked havoc on Dublin, leaving 28 dead and 90 injured, with 300 houses damaged or destroyed.

The book under review this month is Apeirogon by Colum McCann, while our original short story is ‘Seamus and the Horse Trader – A Story of Old Seamus’, by Gerry McCullough. In the ‘Wonders of the World’s Museums’, Cathal Coyle is off to Easter Island Maoi, British Museum, London.

Eamonn Duggan concludes his analysis of the statement made by Dan Breen, Tipperary’s iconic freedom fighter, to the Military History Bureau. This week’s classic film is ‘Shake Hands with the Devil’.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside your regular favourites Cassidy, Dan Conway, Stranger Than Fiction, Marjorie’s Kitchen, Pete’s Pets, songs, jokes, puzzles, memories and much more. Stay safe and well and I will look forward to talking to you all again next week.

                                                                                                         Best wishes,

Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own