Back by popular demand! 6:30-7pm on March 28th is Mens Movie Night. This is were a number of my friends come over for a guy movie (the opposite of a chick flick) and eat some good greasy foods (no cucumber sandwiches). We will meet at my house again and there will be plenty of food and fun to be had by all.
Last years dinner celebration with my wife and children. We normally have corned beef and cabbage (an Irish/American traditional meal), carrots, and my mother’s Irish Soda Bread recipe.
The phrase “Beannachtai na Feile Padraig” means Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. May you have a wonderful day and take the time to enjoy your rich Irish heritage.
For the last several months I have been working in Jersey City in a building which is on the Hudson River. The above picture I took of the remains of an old Jersey City pier look out at Lower Manhattan. At such a pier. 80 years ago, my Grandda worked loading trains unto barrages going into New York. He was able to obtain this job with the railroad, because of his cousin Tom Kelly. 
The above picture was taken this morning. The house on the right is 119 Van Winkle Avenue. This house is where Grandda rented in 1929-1940 from their Aunt Mary (Stanton) for $35 a month. Up the street is the Boulevard where you can see the church they attended.
In 1940 they bought a humble house at 99 Terrace Avenue, Jersey City. Here is a picture I took today: 
I remember when we bought our first house and how much excitement there was – I can only imagine such was the feeling of Grandda and Grandma. Mary Josphine would have been around 10 years old, and James Michael would have been 8 years old at the time of the move.
Brian
I was doing a little research on my family tree lately, and I found the passenger manifests showing both my grandparents coming to America.
_____________________________________________
Name: James Hanley
Age: 25
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Farmer – Labourer
Read/Write: Yes
Origin: Ireland, Roscommon, Beechwood
Father: Michael Hanley
Destination: Jersey City, NJ
Ship Name: Adriatic
Departed: Queenstown
Departure Date: September 14th 1924
_____________________________________________
Name: Mary Anne Regan
Age: 21
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Domestic
Read/Write: Yes
Origin: Ireland, Roscommon, Ardan, Turyan, Frenchpark
Father: Francis Regan
Destination: Newark, NJ
Traveling Companion: Younger Sister, Delia Regan (17 yrs old)
Note: Stamped “In Hospital” and “Discharged”
Ship Name: Carmania
Departed: Queenstown
Departure Date: February 15, 1925
_____________________________________________
While most of this information I had from other sources it kind of cool to know a little more. One thing learned is the exact date that both left Ireland, and the name of the Ocean Liner they took to America.
I never met my Grandfather, but I did know my Grandmother, as a child. I remember that she walked me to school, when I was a wee child in Kearny. I remember that she bought me toy soldiers and a toy army backpack, when she was babysitting us boys, while my parents were away (My brothers were so jealous they made picket signs and protested my special treatment). I remember her “beautiful brogue so rich and sweet”, and her blue eyes which still sparked with joy. She was indeed a lovely lady which put her family first and raised a fine family under difficult circumstances.
- Brian
Had a good time down at my brother’s house last weekend with his family and our parents. I haven’t seen any of them since Elizabeth’s time in the hospital. We had a splendid time together!
Here’s a few pictures:
A fine picture of me Máthair! 
Me and my Athair. It’s the fighting Irish!
Here’s my little Bráthair with the kids
Walking on the rocks next to the bay.
That’s Kevin’s oldest daughter – way ahead of us on the rocks.
