Local news and stories on the Irish in Chicago

Two guys from Chicago find each other and follow their dreams

Thousands of miles from home, two guys formed a bond and came up with a spark of an idea that would culminate in a "Dolphin Song".

History

House belonging to Great Chicago Fire's Mrs. O'Leary up for auction

The 12-bedroom mansion located at 726 W Garfield Blvd. was reportedly built for Mrs. Catherine O'Leary by her son James O'Leary after the Great Chicago Fire, which broke out on this day in 1871 at O'Leary's farm.

Genealogy

How a DNA test led a Chicago woman to find family ties to Mrs O’Leary of the Great Fire fame

A DNA test revealed to Chicago woman Cindy O’Gara, that her biological father was the great-grandson of Catherine O’Leary’s eldest child, Mary O’Leary Scully.

Other Writers

Count Dante, "the world's deadliest man," was an Irish American

IrishCentral Contributor CJ Clancy takes a look at the fascinating life of John Timothy Keehan, aka Count Dante.

Politics

Irish minister in North America for tourism blitz

Ireland's Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin has been in the US encouraging vacationers to 'press the green button' and visit Ireland.

History

Mrs. O’Leary’s cow did not start the Great Chicago Fire 150 years ago

Over a century after the disastrous blaze an Irish milkmaid was proven innocent, a scapegoat in the blaze that killed 300 people.

Food & Drink

Guinness to open second US brewery and taproom in Chicago

A former railroad depot in the West Loop neighborhood will be turned into a Guinness restaurant, pub, and brewery and will be open "hopefully in time for St. Patrick’s Day" 2023.

Entertainment