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

Mullin is St. John's legend Mullin is St. John's legend
After the madness of St. Patrick’s Day every year it is time for the other March madness, college basketball’s National Collegiate Athletic Associa...
March 25, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Cathedral at center of Irish story Cathedral at center of Irish story
There are few buildings in New York City that have witnessed more Irish American history than Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Mulberry Street north ...
March 21, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Ó Riada revolutionized Irish music Ó Riada revolutionized Irish music
Though Seán Ó Riada almost singlehandedly changed the course of Irish traditional music, few people today fully appreciate his massive legacy. The ...
March 13, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Rhasidat owes it all to Mom Rhasidat owes it all to Mom
It is hard to believe Rhasidat Adeleke is still just 22 years old. In her eight years of running track and field she has already established hersel...
February 28, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Glasgow boasts strong Irish roots Glasgow boasts strong Irish roots
There are few places in the world outside of Ireland that are as Irish as Glasgow, Scotland. Half a million people of Irish descent live in and aro...
February 21, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Vinegar Hill has storied past Vinegar Hill has storied past
The quaint streets of Vinegar Hill, nestled between the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Manhattan Bridge, feel more like the streets of some small, tran...
February 19, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Parade grew with city's Irish Parade grew with city's Irish
The New York Saint Patrick’s Day parade has a long, fascinating history. Boston claims the oldest celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day dating from 172...
January 30, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb
Ridge is focused on 'other Ireland' Ridge is focused on 'other Ireland'
I doubt that there is anyone alive who knows more about the history of the Irish in New York City than John Ridge. A soft-spoken man, Ridge is a fo...
December 24, 2024 by Geoffrey Cobb
Historical Society's future secure on Fifth Ave. with Stack at helm Historical Society's future secure on Fifth Ave. with Stack at helm
I never cease to be amazed every time I walk into the American Irish Historical Society, whose elegant home located at 991 Fifth Avenue, just acros...
November 15, 2024 by Geoffrey Cobb
Hearn: Japan's Irish genius Hearn: Japan's Irish genius
At Dublin’s 48 Gardiner St. Lower, a plaque honors the boyhood home of Greek-Irish writer Patrick Lafacadio Hearn, who is barely known in Ireland, ...
October 17, 2024 by Geoffrey Cobb
Fordham catcher, batter Bellán honored in Cuba Fordham catcher, batter Bellán honored in Cuba
Though separated by only 90 or so miles, Cuba and the United States are two vastly different countries. Cuba is still a socialist state, in which t...
September 25, 2024 by Geoffrey Cobb
Cuba's Fr. Varela helped unwanted Irish immigrants in New York Cuba's Fr. Varela helped unwanted Irish immigrants in New York
In the 1820s and 1830s, no priest was more loved and revered by the Irish community than a Gaelic-speaking Cuban priest, the Rev. Félix Varela. Tho...
September 04, 2024 by Geoffrey Cobb

 



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