Geoffrey Cobb

Geoffrey Cobb, who recently retired from his job as a high-school teacher, has written four books on Brooklyn history, as well as recently "The Irish in New York." He also writes for Irish America magazine. He is vice president for local history for the New York Irish History Roundtable,

 

Latest Stories

Donegal claims Crawford, maker of 'Freedom' Donegal claims Crawford, maker of 'Freedom'
Though few people today remember his name, millions of people around the world know Thomas Crawford’s most celebrated creation, his massive statue ...
July 12, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Master McGrath was superstar greyhound Master McGrath was superstar greyhound
Arguably the most famous greyhound ever, Master McGrath was the first racing dog to win the prestigious Waterloo Cup three times. A massive celebri...
July 01, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Berrigan: 'Greatest Jesuit of the 20th century' Berrigan: 'Greatest Jesuit of the 20th century'
In the early 2000s, I had dinner with Fr. Daniel Berrigan. Though Berrigan had become a celebrity to some people, I was struck by his humbleness, m...
May 19, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
McCarren was legislator, lobbyist, gambler McCarren was legislator, lobbyist, gambler
For over a century, Brooklyn’s McCarren Park has served as an urban oasis, dividing Greenpoint from Williamsburg to the south. Recently, some activ...
April 27, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Liverpool is a city with deep Irish roots Liverpool is a city with deep Irish roots
Recently, I was on a flight heading home from Lisbon, Portugal when I heard two Irish voices behind me. It turned out that the men had just watched...
April 13, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Bewley's conflict rekindles interest in stained-glass artist Bewley's conflict rekindles interest in stained-glass artist
The press in Ireland has been buzzing about a controversy involving six priceless stained-glass windows by Irish artist Harry Clarke located in ico...
April 06, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Starkie: academic, musician, vagabond Starkie: academic, musician, vagabond
Today the Way of St. James, an increasingly popular pilgrimage trek to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain not only draws mor...
March 24, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Remembering Police Officer Gilroy, 49 years on Remembering Police Officer Gilroy, 49 years on
The law enforcement community will turn out again today in their thousands to honor fallen hero Wilbert Mora, who was tragically gunned down in Har...
February 02, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
New York's Mayor Walker: Charming and Corrupt New York's Mayor Walker: Charming and Corrupt
Jimmy Walker epitomized Jazz Age New York. Charming and beloved, but also embodying all that was wrong with Tammany Hall politicians, Walker was fo...
January 31, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
McDonald built NYC's 1st subway McDonald built NYC's 1st subway
Like many other Famine refugees, John McDonald’s rise from poverty to great wealth and fame seems more like a fairy tale than an authentic biograph...
January 28, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Berkeley fell for Irish druid Young Berkeley fell for Irish druid Young
California has long been home to the eccentric and free spirits, so naturally the highly eccentric Irish mystic, poet and Celtic mythologist Ella Y...
January 19, 2022 by Geoffrey Cobb
Lynch was Fighting 69th's 'Fr. Cyclone' Lynch was Fighting 69th's 'Fr. Cyclone'
It was one of many dangerous situations chaplain Fr. Lawrence Lynch faced in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The transport ship “Elihu Tho...
December 30, 2021 by Geoffrey Cobb

 

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