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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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In this episode of the "Pubs & Pints Podcast," [00:19] host Tim Grant talks with Dan Bauso, who shares his experiences growing up in Woodside, Queens, and his family's Irish and Italian heritage.

Key discussion points include:

• Woodside, Queens: Dan describes Woodside as a historically Irish neighborhood, even being called "the most Irish neighborhood in the city" during the Kennedy administration [02:08]. He recalls the prevalence of large Irish Catholic families [02:39] and the strong sense of community, often compared to "the Shire" from Lord of the Rings due to its simple, family-oriented life [03:27].
• Irish-Italian Heritage: Dan, being half-Irish and half-Italian, discusses how his mother and aunt married Italian men and intentionally gave their children Irish first names to maintain their heritage [06:28]. His maternal grandmother was from Mayo and his grandfather from Sligo [05:51].
• Immigrant Experience: He shares stories of his grandparents' journey to America, including his grandmother's resourcefulness in administering a polio vaccine to her 13 children [09:05]. He notes that the Irish were better at preserving their history than Italian immigrants, who often focused on assimilation [15:00].
• Donovan's Pub: Dan recounts his personal connection to Donovan's, working there as a busboy and barboy [29:20] and celebrating numerous family events at the pub, from communions to wedding rehearsal dinners [29:35]. He highlights the pub's unique social scene, catering to both Irish-American and newly arrived Irish immigrants [26:38]. He also shares a memorable story about a biker pulling a knife at the bar and being quickly disarmed by plainclothes detectives [50:18].
• "Small World" Stories: The podcast touches on "small world" stories, such as his grandparents meeting at a church dance in the Bronx despite growing up an hour apart in Ireland [18:50], and a chance encounter with a friend from the airport in a remote part of Ireland [52:04].

You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz8XNTLwMSo

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