Robert F. Lyons Publications

From 1986 to present

219 Pubished Letters,

Opinion & Feature Stories

Sketch by Cork artist 2001

Bob's father, William and mother Mary - she was a successful farmer's daughter - settled in South Dakota. The one-room schoolhouse he attended was on his father's farm. As he says, "The seeds of lifelong learning were well-rooted first in my home by my parents. We always had plenty of reading material with lively discussion at the table, and we had music too.".>>More

 Sesquicentennial Anthology

 Contributions by

Lyons & Donohoe Families

By Robert F. Lyons

>>Sesquicentennial  

 My Journey Home  

Jeremiah & Ellen Lyons immigrate to America. 1845 >>Click 

FIRST DAKOTANS: The Lyons Experience by Thomas D. Lyons. Edited by Robert F. Lyons (1991).  (22 stories from Commonweal magazine). >Click eBook

Oklahoma Days: Dakota Son, Oil Country Lawyer by Thomas D. Lyons. Edited by Robert F. Lyons (1991). >Click eBook

 -Notes on Thomas D. Lyons Essays  

     by Frank Lyons >Click

• James A. Donohoe - Moves family from Iowa to Yankton 1910.  >>Yankton Press & Dakotan, June 11, 2011

• Orphan Trains in Dakotas Irish Colony, Immigrants & Orphan Trains from Boston to Yankton, Dakota Territorial Capital 1861-1883, On its 150th Anniversary>>August 2011 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS

Go to >>Videos by Bob  

• Go to Irish Library

• Listen to Irish Short Stories from The New Yorker



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LETTERS TO EDITOR CONTINUED >>

198.  Trump’s proposed tax reform indeed weighted for wealthy.  Portland Press Herald, October 2, 2017 

199. Hollow Man, Yankton Press & Dakotan, October 11, 2017

200. Real Action must be taken on gun control, Argus Leader, Oct. 13, 2017

201.  Platitudes are poor substitute for progress after tragic shooting. Portland Press Herald, October 16, 2017

202. Remove Trump for 'Dereliction of Duty', Argus Leader, Nov. 1, 2017

203. Take a stand against Trump, Bangor Daily News, Nov. 3, 2017

204. “SEX: THE THING THAT TAKES UP THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME AND CAUSES THE MOST AMOUNT OF TROUBLE.” NEW YORK TIMES: November 18, 2017 



205. POWER OF IRELAND: CHURCHILL: “THE IRISH ARE AN ANCIENT RACE.” IRISH TIMES December 7, 2017 

206. Collins betrayed Maine. Bangor Daily News.  December 9, 2017

207.  CARDINAL LAW’S DISTURBING LEGACY LIVES ON: AN IRISH VIEW ON ROME. Portland Press Herald, December. 26, 2017

208. The once powerful, but forever disgraced Cardinal Law has died, but.... National Catholic Register, Dec. 27, 2017

209. Know-Nothings 21st Century & My Irish Ancestors, New York Times, January 16, 2018

210. Time to take a stand against Trump, Portland Press Herald,  January 19, 2018

211. Cardinal O'Malley should warn Pope about his position on clerical sex abuse, Portland Press Herald,  February  9, 2018

212. St. Patrick's Day: “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”  Irish American News, Chicago, Feb. 14, 2018

213. Deafening Silence on Guns in SD, Yankton Press & Dakotan, Feb. 26, 2018

214. Maine Voices: On St. Patrick's Day, Search for 'symbols adequate to our predicament' Portand Press Herald, March 12, 2018

215. Stormy Daniels & Aesops Fable & Trump. New York Times, March 25, 2018

216. In Stormy Daniels scandal, perhaps there’s place for public service announcement MARCH 26, 2018, Boston Globe

217. Protection should be law. MARCH 31, 2018, Boston Herald

218.  'Grand old man' served Maine, N. Ireland-Irish flag flew briefly over the State House.

Maine Sunday Telegram, April 15, 2018

219. House chaplain loses his job for spreading gospel of Jesus Re: “The politics of prayer?” Portland Press Herald, May 1, 2018

220. My mother's advice to the IRISH Bishops.  IRISH Examiner, May 30, 2018

Letter read out loud: https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/irish-examiner/20180530/282037622839987/radio

221. By Doing nothing...Trump & Rise of Facism. July 5, 2018 Yankton Press & Dakotan

222. BATTLE OF BOYNE 12^TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS & ORANGE ORDER DECLARATIONS: TÓG É GO BOG É. IRISH TIMES, published on-line Friday, July 13, 2018

223. Fascism doesn't happen overnight. Kennebunk Post, July 13, 2018

224. PUTIN HOOKS TRUMP, Bangor Daily News, July 21, 2008

225. A Hollow Ring [on Trump] Yankton Press & Dakotan, July 24, 2018. 

226. Putin has Trump hook, line and sinker ...

Portland Press Herald, July, 28, 2018

227. Free speech and freedo  m of the press are foundation pieces. Kennebunk Post, August 10, 2018

228. Church no longer has hold over State in Ireland, IRISH EXAMINER, August 10, 2018

229. Open Forum-Letters, Yankton Press & Dakotan, August 20, 2018

230. Letters to editor important to Democracy, York County Coast Star, August 24, 2018.

231. EDITORIAL: Another View: Systematic cover-ups are testing the faith of world’s Catholics: IRISH Advice to Pope. Portland Press Herald, August 26, 2018

232. Pope Should have shed all the trappings of wealth on Irish visit. Irish Examiner, September 1, 2018

233. "A little work to do" on Judge Kavanaugh, Yankton Press & Dakotan, October 3, 2018

234. Trump 'Dirty Deeds' trickling out for all to seet. Portland Press Herald, Dec 20, 2018

235. Brexit, the border and the backstop: Sucked into the Irish Bog. IRISH TIMES December 22, 2018.

236. Brexit Snags Irish Border: No history is mute. New York Times, Posted on-line December 26, 2018

237.  The Flight of the Earls: Retracing the Footsteps of the Last Gaelic King of Ireland in Rome, Irish America, Jan/Feb 2019

238. Kennebunk: Scam of Elderly & an Irish Fable, Kennebunk POST, February 1, 2019

239. Yankton Set To Get Its Irish On For St. Patrick’s Day , Yankton Press & Dakotan, March 11, 2019

240.  Without the Irish, there would be no United States of America. Portland Press Herald. March 17, 2019

241. Northerly Direction: Brexit & Northern Ireland, IRISH TIMES, March 18, 2019

242. IT COULD BE BREXIT THAT FINALLY GETS THE BRITISH OUT OF IRELAND. IRISH TIMES.  Published on-line April 23, 2019

243. Holocaust eduction bill in Maine should be expanded to include other atrocities: IRISH FAMINE. Bangor Daily News, May 3, 2019

244. Teach Irish Famine as well as Holcuast, says leading Irish American Academic, IRISH CENTRAL, May 3, 2019

245. Irish Famine  should be part of  genocide curriulum, Portland Press Herald, May 6, 2019

246. Power & Pride in South Dakota – Riot Boosting” Prohibited. Yankton Press & Dakotan, May 15, 2019

247. After Brexit,  End of Overall plan for extinction (Jimmy Cagney). IRISH AMERICA May 29, 2019

248. "Dead it is?" [Constitution] June 26, 2019, Yankton Press & Dakotan

249. Fourth of July Opinion: Impreach, York Co Coast Star, June 28, 2019

250. Trump & Shakespeare, Bangor Daily News, June 27, 2019

251. Letter to the editor: Trump’s denials don’t negate evidence of abuse of power, ...

252. Launch Impeachment Fireworks, Kennebunk Post, July 5, 2019

253. Ireland wags the tail of Great Britain dog. New York Times, September 13, 2019

254. Britain’s exit from the European Union should lead to a united Ireland, September 20, 1803. Potland Press Herald, Sept. 20, 2019

255. IRISH TIMES, Jimmy Cagney’s IRISH History Lesson. Published on-line. October 19, 2019

256. Storm Trooper Blues, October 29, 2019, Yankton Press & Dakotan

257.  Pause in USM’s renaming prompts reflection. Portland Press Herald Tuesday, December 10, 2019

258. WILL BREXIT BRING THE TROUBLES BACK TO NORTHERN IRELAND? New York Times Sunday, January 5, 2020

259. IRISH AMERICA December 2019 / January 2020 

Bob Lyons -Love of Country

Tom Deignan evaluated Ken Burn’s documentary Country Music  and its lack of focus on Irish influences. Paddy Homan & Bard of Armagh

[CLICK Video>> Paddy Homan & Bard of Armagh to Louis Armstrong]

260. Galway 2020 Tour with Paddy Homan, Irish American News, February 2020

261. Tearing up Trump's Speech. IRISH TIMES, February 6, 2020

262. We Get Letters: from Bob in Kennebunkport on St.Patrick and Brexit   Irish American News, February 2020

263. Maine Voices: Ireland helped unite Europe, and Ireland should stay with Europe, Portland Press Herald, March 17, 2020

264. Trump, OVID-19 & IRISH FAMINE, New York Times, on-line, March 30, 2020

265. Coronavirus & Irish potato famine, Bangor Daily News, April 1, 2020

266. Innoculation, Yankton Press & Dakotan, April 16, 2020

267. Staying in Place (Covid-19) Yankton Press & Dakotan, May 15, 2020

268. Medical Service Corps could provide jobs, protect health, Portland Press Herald, May 19, 2020

269. Kennebunk Post,  Demonstrations were historic event,  June 12, 2020

270.  YORK COUNTY COAST STAR. Inspired by lcal demonstration, June 12, 2020.

271. 'North by Northwest' revisited. [Mount Rushmore descrated once again]. Boston Globe, July 11,2020

272.Rushmore Reactions, Yankton Press & Dakotan, July 13, 2020

273. Wear A Mask,York County Cast Star, July 24, 2020

274. Sen. Thune: JANUS-FACED politician. Yankton Press & Dakotan Sept, 29, 2020

 275. NEW YORK TIMES: ITS AN ILL BIRD THAT FOULS ITS OWN NEST. NOVEMBER 3^RD.  Published October 2, 2020.

 275. Debate was a cage fight. Yankton Press & Daktan, October 9, 2020

276. Trump fouls nest. New York Times - on-line Nov. 11, 2020

277. The Pardoner's Tale & Trump. Bangor Daily News, December 15, 2020

278. Epithet: Typhoid Mary & Gov. Noem, SD. Yankton Press & Dakotan, December 17, 2020

279. 'The Pardoner's Tale' offers a medieval take on Trump. Portland Press Herald, December 30, 2020

280. A reflection on the meaning of democracy. York Co Coast Star. January 15, 2021

281. Reflecting on Meaning of Democracy. January 15, 2021.

Kennebunk Post

282.'CATCH THE CONSCIENCE' OF SENATORS. Yankton Press & Dakotan, February 11, 2021

283. Maine Voices: Irish brothers from Machias fought, won Revolution’s first naval battle.  Portland Press Herald.

March 17, 2021,

284. Georgia Voting: JESUS: “I WAS THIRSTY IN THE LONG VOTING LINE AND YOU WOULDN’T GIVE ME SOMETHING TO DRINK!”.

Washington Post. March 26, 2021

285.  REQUEST TO REZONE 2 & 4 DOANES WHARF.  What part of 'no' Don't you understand?

Kennebunk Post & York County Coast Star. April 2, 2021

  Letters to the Editor: 1987 New York Times to Present (2010)

by Robert F. Lyons.

100+Letters published nationally and internationally on variety of topics: Politics, Impeachment, Religion,Irish affairs, human relations.

>Click eBook

 M o r e  Publications &

Letters to Editor

85A. ANCHORS - Tom Brokaw - book review. New York Times. November 18, 1990

**Letter on NPR ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, Parades in Music in Northern Ireland, >>Read on July 16, 1998

 86. The Great Famine - Irish America Magazine Aug-Sept. 2010 - >Click 

87. Letter read on RTE National IRISH RADIO on Morning Ireland * Pope & Condoms, Nov. 25, 2010 Click>RTE RADIO.   Go to & click >>It Says in the Papers. Letter read at 3:54 minutes. 

88. Sameletter printed in >Irish Examiner, Nov. 25, 2010)

 89.  Ireland may bend, but it won’t  break >Boston Globe Dec. 24, 2010

 90. Matter of Fairness for Women>Yankton Press & Dakotan March 23, 2011

 91. Practice Contraception >Argus Leader, Sioux Falls April12, 2011

 92. Ireland's Banking Crisis >IRISH TIMES April 20, 2011

 93.  Story of the Divided Blanket: An Irish Narrative on Elder Care for our time: Irish American News Sept. 2010

94.Taoiseach Enda Kenny poaches Pres. Obama in Dublin >IRISHTIMES May 25, 2011

 95. Don't build on flood plain >Argus Leader, Sioux Falls August 8, 2011

96. Snowe, Collins should back Democrats’ payroll tax cut. >Portland Press Herald, December 8, 2011

97. What Ireland has lost by a stupid ban. IRISH EXAMINER, September 19. 2011 

97B.  Bishop of Derry calls for end to celebacy in Catholic Church. THE GUARDIAN, September, 2011

98. Shenanigans in South Dakota >Yankton Press & Dakotan, December 29, 2011

99. Town is asking the wrong question. >Kennebunk Post, February 10, 2012

100. Lower Village must be protected From uninformed hotel plan.>The Journal Tribune, York County's only daily newspaper. March 21, 2012

101. Plan Change Not Minor. >York County Coast Star, March 22, 2012

102. Residents turn out for Lower Village Meeting >Kennebunk Post, March 23, 2012

103. Save Lower Kennebunk Village >New Maine TImes, April 4, 2012

104.Residents of Lower Village

Want to retain small-town feel > Journal Tribune, April 10, 2012

105. Time to take a stand in Lower Village, OPINION York Co Coast Star, April 12, 2012

106.Chase Hill Road can't handle the traffic >Kennebunk Post, April 13, 2012

107. Kennebunk review board ignored residents’ concerns    >Journal Tribune, April 26, 2012

108. Cardinal Brady should resign over failures>Irish Examiner, May 16, 2012 

109. K'port must think deeply about Lower Village development >Journal Tribune, June 7, 2012

110. Serious discussion about Lower Village long overdue >York Co Coast Star, June 7, 2012

111.  Questions raised about development in Lower Village >Kennebunk Post June 8, 2012

112.Kennebunk Staff Review Not Sufficient. >New Maine TImes, June 13, 2012

113. Kennebunk board right to insist that businesses call 'bunk home >Journal Tribune, June 29, 2012

114. Businessess take note of 'Ode to 04043' >Kennebunk Post, July 6, 2012

115. Kennebunk vs. village: location, location, location >York Co Coast Star, July 12, 2012

116. Residents tired of treatment >York Co Coast Star, July  26, 2012

117. Board needs to listen to town's residents >Kennebunk Post, July 27, 2012

118. A Familiar Echo? >Yankton Press & Dakotan, >September 21, 2012

119. Romney 47% remark & Irish Famine >Maine Sunday Telegram, September 23, 2012

120. Romney’s policies echo those during time of Irish famine >Journal Tribune, October 2, 2012

121. Triumphalism over flags re-opens old wounds>IRISH Examiner, December 12, 2012

121. Will tragedy bring about federal action?  >Kennebunk Post, January 11, 2013

122. Zumba saga puts Kennebunk in Global spotlight >Portland Press Herald, June 10, 2013

123. Anglo fallout and the bank guarantee >Irish Times, July 12, 2013 

124. Falling from grace: Bishop  Casey >Irish Examiner,  August 07, 2013

125.  Thank you Michael, for your dreams  >Irish Examiner, September 06, 2013

126. Renovation impact deserves careful study  >Kennebunk Post, December 20, 2013

127.  Bridget's Shawl -Bridget O’Donnell of Cork, Ireland, my great-grandmother, was sent out to Boston by her father in 1846. >Irish America Magazine Feb/March 2014 

>>Bridget's Shawl A p p r a i s e d

Bridget's Shawl A p p r a i s e d

128. Hard Way Home - Paddy Homan's new CD >Irish America Magazine April / May 2014

129. Paddy Homan's New Album Launches in April >Irish American News, April 2014 (on-line)

130. Paddy Homan's New Album Launches in April - The Hard Way Home - "There’s a voice that speaks to everyone" >Irish American News, April 2014

131. K’bunk must again reject parking waiver >Journal Tribune, Weekend, April 6, 2014

   132. [Same letter in Kennebunk Post April 12, 2014]

133. Heaney’s prophetic words: Lopsided Ireland  >IRISH EXAMINER, Saturday, May 10, 2014 

134. Trojan Horse gallops through Village - Planning Board July 28, 2014 - film 2 mins

 135. Lower Village hotel proposal is a Trojan horse >Journal Tribune July 31, 2014

 135. >Kennebunk Hotel - Trojan Horse ..Planning Board Protest. July 28, 2014

► 2:37► 2:37

www.youtube.com/watch?v=203GiZJ-vdg

136. York Co Coast Star

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Jennifer Feals, Reporter

  Controversial Kennebunk hotel development proposal withdrawn

PROTESTING PEOPLE PROTECTING KENNEBUNK LOWER VILLAGE PAYS OFF [editorial cartoon] 

137. Good riddance to hotel plan

Kennebunk Post Agust 15, 2014

138. A Heritage Worth Celebrating: Education  >Yankton Press & Dakotan October 17, 2014

139. Media continue to kick around a lot of hot air  >Portland Press Herald May 14, 2015 

140. Dublin Castle perfect for our bid for freedom >IRISH Examiner May 26, 2015

141. Dublin Castle a fitting site for celebration of freedom  >Boston Globe May 27, 2015

142. Another step to freedom advances at castle courtyard >Portland Press Herald May 28, 2015

 143. Margaret Higgins Sanger: Wonder Woman. >IRISH AMERICA August/September 2015

 144. Yankton History To Be Displayed In Mead Building, >Yankton Press & Dakotan-August 28, 2015 

An added bonus to my recent trip from New England for the 60th anniversary reunion of my Yankton High School class was an invitation from Crystal Nelson, Director/Curator of the Dakota Territorial Museum to discuss some exciting exhibit possibilities for the future galleries at the rehabilitated Mead Building. Features imprint of Irish in Yankton. >READ ARTICLE

145. IRISH PRIDE STIRS HURLING - PADDY HOMAN & Boys of Fairhill. >NEW YORK TIMES - August 31,   2015

146.  I AM IRELAND by PADDY HOMAN, for the centenary of 1916 Easter rising -the story of the RISING from 1798 to 1916 through the songs & speeches of the people. 

Premiers in Chicago October 10th & on the road throughout 2016.          >I AM IRELAND: PADDY HOMAN  (Video)

 REVIEWS  August 2015

“If you have only one drop of Irish blood, see this show and you will feel that drop of blood replicating throughout your soul and stirring your heart to sing along with Paddy." Irish American News, August 2015

 “What W.B. Yeats captures in his historic poem, EASTER 1916  ...All changed, changed utterly: / A terrible beauty is born..., Paddy Homan captures in this compelling 90 minute program, the story of Ireland's Risings, celebrated through the songs and words of her people. Now and in time to be, I AM IRELAND will be the social media of this story, and Paddy Homan, its superb messenger.” RFL

Singer Paddy Homan preps new one-man show, 'I Am Ireland...

Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, October 5, 2015

147. Charlie Lyons Coughlin Legacy will continue - ARGUS LEADER, November 25, 2015

148. Maine history holds lesson on intolerance -  Portland Press Herald, December 21, 2015

149. Easter Rising. History Ireland, January 2016

150. Blanket approach could curb elder abuse. Portland Press Herald, January 15, 2016

151. Casting a cold eye on 1916 (and 1966) , History Ireland, March/April 2016

152. It’s time for Republicans 
to consider some amusing advice, Portland Press Herald April 6, 2016

153. Another View: British can’t be excused for brutally suppressing Irish,  Maine Sunday Telegram, May 1, 2016

154.  People of Lower Village were heard. York Co Coast Star,  June 2, 2016

155. Voices of Lower Village people finally heard . Kennebunk Post, June 3, 2016

156.  Paul Ryan - "shifting weather-cock". POLITICO, June 20, 2016

157. Brexit: Carcass of Empire. New York Times, June 25, 2016

158. Europe’s unity shattered, June 29, 2016, IRISH EXAMINER

159. Corkman Paddy Homan Receives Award, Irish American News July 2016

160. Actions create adversarial relationship,  Kennebunk Post July 15, 2016.   More...

161. The Dark Knight, “candidate who radiates conflict and disorder.” --Huffington Post, July 22, 2016

162. Will S.D. get behind democratic nominee? Argus Leader, August 6, 2016

163. Time for Maine’s reps to ‘administer a stiff kick’, York Co Coast Star, August 11, 2016 

 164. The Republicans are reaping what they have sown. New York Tribune, August 13, 2016

165.  GOP’s wounds are self-inflicted,

Boston Globe, August 28, 2016.

166. Hillary: That was no retraction!

The Guardian, September 10, 2016

 167. Jack Coleman: Committed to Lifelong Learning, The Chester Telegraph, VT, Sept. 10, 2016

 168. LePage should resign. York Co Coast Star, Sept. 15, 2016

169. Weighing in on a candidate’s character may affect voter choices during the election:Will your principles guide you at the polls?Argus Leader October 17, 2016

170. Another Answer (Sen. Thune) Yankton Press & Dakotan October 18, 2016

171. America Need Crack Glass Ceiling, IRISH EXAMINER, Nov. 15, 2016

172. Clinton leaves ‘gender equality’ legacy. Argus Leader Nov. 18, 2016.

173. Trump's tweeting finger - new weapon of mass destruction. Washington Post, Nov. 28, 2016

 174.Will the mad tweeter remember his executive duties?  Portland Press Herald,   December 2, 2016

175.  Consider this antidote to post-election despair. Boston Sunday Globe, December 11, 2016

 176. ‘Stifled in South Dakota’ Argus Leader, Jan. 31, 2017

177. The ‘Ethics Snuffer State’?, Yankton P&D, Feb, 1, 2017

178. Flynn departs as Trump tweets,  The Irish Times, Feb. 16, 2017

179.  Maine Voices: The Irish have literally made their marks all over the world’s pages. Portland Press Herald, March 9, 2017.

180. Ireland's Legacy for St. Patrick's Week, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, March 9, 2017 

181. From discord to accord over St. Patrick’s Day parade. Boston Globe,  March 14, 2017

182. In Major Defeat for Trump, Push to Repeal Health Law Fails : Ryan’s Daughter II    NEW YORK TIMES  March 25, 2017  

183. An AFC Carol, A letter from Ebenezer Scrooge to Sen. John Thune …, Yankton Press & Dakotan, March 28, 2017

184. South Dakotans may be left ‘vulnerable’ by Noem. Argus Leader, May 11, 2017

185. Trump tromps onto the world stage: A stunning abandonment of our accord with Europe.  Boston Globe, June 3, 2017 

186. Republicans' outrage should be directed a top offender. Portland Press Herald, July 15, 2017

187. Get Well Soon! The Ultimate Faustian Deal.  Yankton Press & Dakotan July 25, 2017

188. Senate vote for health care require courage. Argus Leader, July 26, 2017

189. In Senate Health Bill Defeat, Courage and Bombast on the Big Stage. Portland Press Herald, August 1, 2017



190. Americans need to remember their own story: My First American Relatives. IRISH EXAMINER, August 8, 2017.

191. Stop the Merry-Go-Round on Health Care, Yankton Press & Dakotan, August 8, 2017

192. Refugees, immigrants made ‘America great’, Argus Leader, August. 15, 2017 

193 Assaults on the Senate will accomplish little. Washington Post, August 15, 2017

 194.Bill dishonors immigrants of all stripes who helped build this great country, Portland Press Herald, August 17, 2017

 195. Mother Teanga (Mother Tongue) IRISH AMERICA, August/September 2017

 196. Trump - Taxes - Horses - Alligators, New York Times, Sept. 3, 2017

197.You’d have thought Galbraith had last word on trickle-down theory, Boston Globe, September 13, 2017

198.  Trump’s proposed tax reform indeed weighted for wealthy. Portland Press Herald, October 2, 2017