Commodore John Barry (1745-1803), Father of the American Navy

Commodore John Barry (1745-1803), Father of the American Navy

The Wexford man was the United States’ first commissioned naval officer, as well as its first flag officer. On his watch, the US Navy converted 40 acres of Brooklyn into one of the world's biggest shipyards. It stands next to the oldest park in Brooklyn, renamed...
Sir Henry Bunbury (1565-1634)

Sir Henry Bunbury (1565-1634)

Henry Bunbury was grandfather of the Benjamin Bunbury who first acquired the land in County Carlow, Ireland. Henry succeeded as head of the family in 1601 and was knighted two years later by the new king, James I. He appears to have been of Calvinist persuasion in...
The Palatines in Ireland

The Palatines in Ireland

In 1709, just over 3,000 mostly Protestant refugees from Germany's Palatine region sailed for Ireland. Their descendants include the families of Switzer, Wyse, Keppel, Cooke, Young , Embury, Miller, Teskey, Baker, Poff and Gleasure. This article looks at the origins...
William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke (1147-1219) – The Greatest Knight

William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke (1147-1219) – The Greatest Knight

William Marshal was the most powerful Anglo-Norman lord to come to Ireland. A jousting champion, die-hard crusader and pre-Machiavellian tactician, he survived the turbulent courts of four Plantagenet Kings to become Regent of England, Lord of Leinster and the richest...
Michael Hayes (1767-1825) – Rebel, Convict, Merchant, Bigamist?

Michael Hayes (1767-1825) – Rebel, Convict, Merchant, Bigamist?

The story of a man transported to Australia for his role in the United Irishmen rebellion of 1798 who made his mark by bringing Catholicism to the penal colony, and an allegation of bigamy.   *****   Michael Hayes (1767-1825) grew up in Wexford Town on the south-east...