Making an American Institution

How do you go from this

Irish heading to America

To this

Saratoga Racecourse

It’s hard for our generation to imagine the physical and mental effort to move across the world with no possessions and no idea of the life that was to follow. This is the story of a man who mastered everything that came his way. He was a winner. Taken from an article we wrote previously, this was inspired from a recent trip through Templemore, Co Tipperary. An inspiration for when you get knocked down and have to start again.

What do Saratoga Racecourse in New York and the film Gangs of New York have in common? John Morrissey.

John Morrissey was born in Templemore, Co. Tipperary in 1831 and his family moved to America in 1833. By the time he was 18 he was working for the Irish gangs and got a reputation as a fighter. As leader of the Dead Rabbitts he came across William Poole (Bill the Butcher) and the Bowery Boys when given the task of stopping them from rigging an election, something he achieved. 

He also taught himself to read and write. During a lifetime of adventure, he was involved in the gold rush in California, fought for the heavyweight boxing title and became a state Congressman. He then set up a casino in Saratoga and then founded the famous racecourse. 

John Morrissey died in 1878, aged just 47. From a small town in Ireland to becoming one of the most famous achievers in America.

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How to make brown soda bread

Brown Soda Bread Straight from the oven
No yeast, so no rising time. Simple and wholesome.
Ingredients
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg, beaten
Honey (optional)
Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6, 200°C (400°F). Mix the flour, bread soda and salt together in a bowl. Combine the egg with the buttermilk and honey then mix into the flour. Add a little more buttermilk if the mixture is dry – it should be a soft dough. Then pour the lot into a lightly oiled loaf tin. Sprinkle the sesame seeds or porridge oats over the top of the loaf if using. Bake for 45-50 minutes. To know when it is cooked simply tap the bottom of the loaf – it will sound hollow when it is fully cooked. Remove from the tin and wrap in a clean tea towel while cooling. This will keep the crust soft.