RONAN McGREEVY
Tue, Oct 13, 2009
A NEW book has confirmed what his legion of Irish fans has always suspected
– Bruce Springsteen is one of our own.
Despite his surname which is of Dutch extraction, Springsteen has Irish
ancestry through his paternal grandmother Martha O’Hagan. She married
Springsteen’s grandfather Antony Springsteen in 1899.
Her grandmother in turn was Ann Garrity who came
from outside Mullingar. She crossed the Atlantic for the Promised Land of the
Further back Springsteen has Farrell, McNicholas,
Sullivan, O’Hagan and McCann ancestry.
The claim is included in a new book Land of Hope and Dreams: Springsteen
in Ireland which is being released to coincide with the 25th
anniversary of his landmark concert at
“This is the first time the full extent of Springsteen’s Irish roots has
been uncovered,” said Derry-born Moira Sharkey, who co-authored the book along
with Greg Lewis.
“Bruce’s paternal lineage is made up of generation after generation of Irishmen
and women and he could call any corner of
Springsteen’s connection with
© 2009 The Irish Times