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Introduction to Tommy White: The episode introduces Tommy White as a long-time friend of the host, with a friendship spanning over 30 years, originating from their time in a FDNY Bagpipe Band where Tommy was the chairman around 1994.

• Irish Heritage and Family History:
  • Tommy delves into his strong Irish roots, noting that all four of his grandparents immigrated from Ireland independently and later met in the States.
  • He shares anecdotes about his maternal grandparents, who, despite meeting in the U.S., were from neighboring towns just outside Killarney and likely met at a Kerry dance.
  • His paternal grandparents also hailed from adjoining counties in Ireland (Offaly and Westmeath) and met after immigrating.
  • Tommy's mother was born in the U.S. but grew up in Ireland, returning before high school to settle in the Bronx.
  • His paternal grandfather, Chris White, was a decorated World War I hero who fought as an American and later owned a string of successful restaurants and a speakeasy in Manhattan, including Whit's Cafe where Kennedy's now stands.
  • A tragic family story is recounted about his great-uncle, John White, who was shot and killed in his bar during a confrontation.
  • Another poignant story involves Tommy's great-grandmother's grandfather, a Civil War veteran who was also shot and killed for his wallet after church, with his family later formally forgiving his killer.
  • Tommy mentions restoring an old famine-era cottage with a cousin in Ireland and the ongoing research into his family tree, including a possible ancestor who was a Brooklyn fireman during the Great Blizzard of '88.
  • He also shares a harrowing family story about his maternal grandfather's brother, who, along with his track gang, was tragically killed by a train while on a de-energized track.
  • A close call for his grandfather, who avoided a fatal train derailment by stopping to buy a turkey on his way home from work.
  • The White family is believed to be descendants of St. Oliver Plunkett.
• Personal Experiences and Connections to Ireland:
  • Tommy describes his upbringing in an "absolutely Irish" household, filled with Irish music.
  • He notes that his connection to his Irish heritage has remained consistently strong throughout his life.
  • His first trip to Ireland was in his early to mid-twenties, with the bagpipe band.
  • He discusses how he re-established connections with his paternal family in Tipperary, including a memorable first meeting with his cousin at "Whites Grocers".
  • Tommy highlights the unique camaraderie of meeting distant relatives in Ireland compared to the U.S..
  • Favorite pubs include McCarthy's in Fethard, Tipperary, known for its history, and Dailies in Derry, which reminds him of old Bronx pubs.
• Career and Notable Bagpipe Band Memories:
  • Tommy shares his path to becoming a firefighter, joining the department in 1978 after not being able to get into Local 3 as an electrician.
  • He speaks highly of his career as a firefighter, expressing no regrets.
  • A particularly memorable and suspenseful story involves a trip to Portlaoise Prison with fellow band members Bobby and Joe Murphy, where they unknowingly sailed "into a hornet's nest" due to Joe's friend being a high-profile prisoner involved in an IRA gun-smuggling operation with the Boston mob.
  • He talks about hiking in Donegal with a group of friends, including Dermot, whom he reconnected with after many years.

You can listen to the episode here: https://youtu.be/w1WnHGq0jsc?si=N-mwDRxrWBdCiDI7

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In this episode of the "Pubs & Pints Podcast," [00:04] host Tim Grant talks with Ed Boles, a longtime friend, about his Irish upbringing in Woodside, Queens, and his deep connection to Irish culture. Eddie is a retired Battalion Chief in the New York City Fire Department.

Key discussion points include:

• Family Background and Woodside: Ed's parents immigrated from Ireland; his mother from Donegal in 1950 [06:35], and his father from Sligo, an accomplished Gaelic football player who eventually opened "The Castle Inn" in Woodside [13:20]. Ed highlights Woodside as a predominantly Irish, working-class neighborhood [05:23], a "safe haven" for new Irish immigrants [15:53].
• Childhood Memories of Ireland: Ed recounts spending summers on his grandparents' farm in Donegal, starting at age five, working the hay and turf, and experiencing life in their thatched cottage [21:40]. He also shares a story of flying to Ireland alone at ten years old to continue working on the farm [24:02].
• Gaelic Football: Ed's passion for Gaelic football is evident, having played for the FDNY Gaelic football team for many years [24:52]. He explains how the sport was a central part of the Irish community in New York, with families gathering at Gaelic Park in the Bronx [25:38]. He also touches on the historical rivalry between Gaelic football and rugby in Ireland [27:15].
• Favorite Irish Pubs and Locations: Ed shares his recommendations for visiting Ireland, including Kilmainham Gaol and The Brazen Head in Dublin [48:29]. He also discusses memorable pubs in Belfast, including one that was bombed shortly after his visit in 1997 [52:07]. He describes his annual three-day pub crawl with friends to different towns across Ireland [55:02].
• Irish Music: Ed talks about his journey into playing the bodhrán and tin whistle after 9/11 as a stress relief [01:03:15], eventually forming a band called Celtic Blend [01:07:01]. He mentions a documentary and book about Tommy Potts, a Dublin firefighter and famous fiddle player, whose music was inspired by a tragic fire [01:04:46].

You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jesIyT-xUWY

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In this episode of the "Pubs & Pints Podcast," [00:02] host Tim Grant interviews Donna Abraldes, whose family's Irish dance journey led to a remarkable discovery of her roots and a famous great-grandfather.

Key discussion points include:

• Irish Dance Connection: Donna explains how her daughters' participation in Irish dance led to connecting with long-lost relatives in Ireland [00:15].
• Family History: Her great-grandfather, Bartley Ferguson, immigrated to America at 25 through Ellis Island and was a sparring partner for famous boxer Jack Johnson [02:26]. He was also a celebrated Irish footballer, winning the Croagh Patrick Cup three times with the Stephanites team in the early 1900s [06:46].
• Discovering Relatives in Ireland: A letter sent by her cousin to the family's original home in Ballina, County Mayo, led to reconnecting with Bartley's youngest brother Charlie's daughters [04:42].
• Emotional Reunion: Donna describes an emotional first meeting with her Irish cousins at an Irish dance competition in Dublin [05:46].
• Visiting Family Landmarks: She recounts visiting Mo Claire's pub in Ballina, where a picture of her great-grandfather's championship team is still displayed [06:31], and the small, two-bedroom cottage where he grew up with his siblings [08:26]. She also mentions visiting the Merry Monk, a lively pub in Ballina, where her daughters performed Irish dances [11:37].
• NYPD Heritage: Donna's paternal grandfather, Walter Ferguson, was a decorated NYPD detective who guarded Elvis and the Beatles and died in the line of duty [22:50]. Her father was also a New York City firefighter [24:58].
• Irish Dance Impact: Donna reflects on how Irish dance provided her daughters with discipline, lasting friendships, and a strong connection to their Irish heritage, including opportunities to travel the world [29:11].

You can watch to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7DnglZe-0

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