Category Archives: Ireland

Protected: The Belle on the Bill

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Uncomely and Broken

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Posted in Animals, Birds, Emblems, England, Family, Ireland, Nautical, Numismatics, Poetry, The South | Enter your password to view comments.

Protected: Happy Evacuation Day!

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Uncomely and Broken

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Posted in Boston, England, Family, Ireland, Military, Nautical, Poetry, Saints, Sewanee | Enter your password to view comments.

The Biting Bishop

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

One of the principal founders of the University of the South, where I teach, was Leonidas Polk,  the Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana as well as a Confederate Brigadier General. His occupation of both roles earned him the title “The Fighting … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, Military, Sewanee, The South, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Remarks for “Foundations of Place” Panel

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

My colleagues, John Willis and Jerry Smith, have given better talks than I ever could about the historical situation of the University’s founding a century and half or so ago, and of course I always tremble to follow Jim Peterman.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Classics, Education, Emblems, Ireland, Language & Etymology, Oxford, Poetry, Sewanee, Tennessee | 5 Comments

Stations of the Cross

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

It’s Good Friday, and in Sewanee that means that at noon a large cross will be slowly carried from the School of Theology to All Saints’ Chapel by various members of the university and community.  Following the Way of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Boston, Education, Family, Ireland, Oxford, Sewanee, Sports & Games, Tennessee, The South | 2 Comments

Piper at the Gate

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Uncomely and Broken

I swear this is the last post about The Wind in the Willows, but I came across a picture on my hard drive that I’d taken this summer of an Oxford doorpost, and it reminded me of a famous passage … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics, Emblems, England, Family, Ireland, Mythology, Oxford, Poetry | 2 Comments

By the Rude Bridge

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Uncomely and Broken

Those are my boys, standing by the Old North Bridge in Concord, grimly determined to face down the Redcoats, and wondering when we can get some ice cream.  The picture was taken a few years ago when we were spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Family, Ireland, Military, Poetry, Statues & Monuments | Leave a comment

Ann Burns, Confederate Captive

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Uncomely and Broken

My cousin Theresa recently brought an intriguing story to my attention about my ancestor, Ann Burns (later Byron).  I had already known that she was at one time Ralph Walso Emerson’s cook and had been an important member of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, England, Family, Ireland, Nautical, The South | 3 Comments

All Things Uncomely and Broken

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Uncomely and Broken

For the title of my blog, I decided to use the first line of W.B. Yeats’ 1892 poem, The Lover Tells Of The Rose In His Heart, quoted in full below.  It’s long been a favorite of mine. When we … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

The Least of My Brothers

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Uncomely and Broken

JANUARY 2, 2012. Mark Byron McDonough, age 42, of Leominster. Son of the late Margaret B. (Donahue) and James M. McDonough. Survived by his guardian, Gene Buchman and family, with whom he lived for many years, and by foster brother … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Boston, Cartoons, Cemeteries & Funerals, Dogs, Family, Ireland, Music, Trees & Flowers | Leave a comment