The Latest News
From Duffy’s Cut
Current Articles – back to 2003
2025 Duffy's Cut Articles
- August 11, 2025 – “Possible second 19th century mass grave of massacred Irish rail workers discovered in US”, by Sean O’Riordan, Irish Examiner
- August 7, 2025 – “Local History Professor Shares His Decades of Duffy’s Cut Research”, by Haley Mattes, Vista.TODAY
- July 18, 2025 – “Duffy’s Cut Researchers Believe They Found Second Mass Grave of Irish Railroad Workers Likely Killed in 1832”, by Haley Mattes, Vista.TODAY
- June 21, 2025 – “US mass grave could contain remains of up to 120 Irish Immigrants”, by Niall Glynn, BBC
- June 6, 2025 – “Researchers Unveil Findings of Mass Grave in Downingtown, Likely Connecting to Duffy’s Cut”, by Leah Mikulich, Vista.TODAY
- February 17, 2025 – “How Malvern’s Eerie History Makes for an Intriguing Tourist Destination”, by Haley Mattes, Vista TODAY
2024 Duffy's Cut Articles
- May 8, 2024 – “Irish American railroader who erected historical marker at Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania dies suddenly”, by Fionnuala Boyle, Irish Star
- April 3, 2024 – “How an Irish Immigrant Became Responsible for 57 Deaths in 19th-Century Malvern”, by Kimberly McGuane, Vista.Today
- March 14, 2024 – “Buried History: The Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut”, by Carolyn Filmore, The Local
2023 Duffy's Cut Articles
- August 19, 2023 – “August 25 Banquet to Honor Heroes of Duffy’s Cut“, by Jeff Meade, Irish Philadelphia
- June 7, 2023 – This Historical Marker in Chester County Remembers Tragic Tale of Irish Railroad Workers”, by Leah Mikulich, Vista.TODAY
- May 20, 2023 – Duffy’s Cut: “The Pennsylvania brothers who took Irish railroad workers’ deaths from ‘urban myth’ to tragic fact”, by Fionnuala Boyle, Irish Star
- May 1, 2023 – “The Duffy’s Cut massacre of Irishmen in the USA”, by Rob Buchanan for the Old Moore’s Almanac.
2022 Duffy's Cut Articles
2020 Featured Article: "Uncovering Murder on the Main Line", Hidden City
- October 28, 2020 – “Uncovering Murder on the Main LIne and the Victims of Duffy’s Cut“, by Virginai Lindak – Hidden City
- June 5, 2020 – “Duffy’s cut Part Two, as team uncovers fresh mass burial site, by the Newsroom – Derry Journal
2019 Featured Article: "Remembering Duffy's Cut", The Irish Echo
- March 14, 2019 – “Remembering Duffy’s Cut“, The Irish Echo
2018 - Featured Article: "Winding Down at Duffy's Cut", by Ray O'Hanlon
- December 27, 2018 – “Winding Down at Duffy’s Cut” by Ray O’Hanlon, the Irish Echo
- November 14, 2018 – “Two Brothers have Dedicated the Last 16 Years of Lives to Exploring the True Story of What Happened to 57 Irish Emigrants” by Derry Journal
- October 18, 2018 – “Immaculata Professor Writes New Book on Duffy’s Cut” by MyChesCo
- October 1, 2018 – “Irish Immigrant Turned Gentleman who was Behind Duffy’s Cut and 57 Deaths” by William Watson and J. Francis Watson, Irish Central
- August 16, 2018 – “New Duffy’s Cut Beer will Fund Excavation of Tragic Irish Railroad Workers Site in PA” by Ray O’Hanlon, IrishCentral
- June 18, 2018 – “A Stone is Finally Cut for Duffy” by The Irish Echo
- June 3, 2018 – “St. Anne Parish Dedicates the Graves of Philip Duffy and Sgt. Michael Trainer” by Brendan Clay, Irish Edition
- May 14, 2018 – “Philip Duffy let 57 Immigrants be Forgotten in a Mass Grave, Then His Burial Site was Forgotten, too. Until Now” by Stephanie Farr, The Inquirer
- February 4, 2018 – “Immaculata University Hosts Duffy’s Cut Art Exhibit” Irish Edition
- February 4, 2018 – “History of Duffy’s Cut Recreated Through Paintings” by Bill Rettew, Daily Local News
- January 17, 2018 – “Immaculata University to Host Duffy’s Cut Art Exhibit” by The Monitor
2017 - Feature Article: "Duffy's Cut Secrets Unearthed", by Pavel Barter
- July 13, 2017 – “Promising Discovery in 1830s Deaths of Irish Rail Workers on the Main Line” by Genevieve Glatsky, Philly.com (The Philadelphia Inquirer) see also CrimeWatchers.net
- July 9, 2017 – “Duffy’s Cut Secrets Unearthed” by Pavel Barter, The Sunday Times
- June 12, 2017 – “Work Resumes at Duffy’s Cut” by The Irish Echo
- June 10, 2017 – “Dig at Duffy’s Cut to Recover 50 Irish Cholera and Murder Victims Resumes” by Kate Hickey, Irish Central
- June 10, 2017 – “Duffy’s Cut: Search Continues for 19th-Century Railroad Workers’ Graves in Malvern”by Bill Rettew, Daily Local News
- Jun 9, 2017 – “Historians Dig up Duffy’s Cut Looking for Remains” by Erin Coleman, NBC10
- June 9, 2017 – “Search Continues for 19th-Century Railroad Workers’ Graves in Malvern” by Bill Rettew, Jr., The Times Herald News
- June 9, 2017 – “History Professor Works to Uncover Mysterious Irish Immigrant Deaths”, by Fox29
- June 8, 2017 – “Brothers Working to Recover Remains of Duffy’s Cut Victims” by Kristen Johanson, CBS Philly
- March 5, 2017 – “Immaculata Alumni Participate in Filming of New Documentary; Screening Set for April 1, 2017” by Mark Hostutler
- February 16, 2017 – “Irish American Films Launch Press Release” – by Tom Spillane, Irish American Films
- February 13, 2017 – “Duffy’s Cut Railroad Workers Honored with Memorial Service at West Laurel Hill Cemetery” by Main Line Time
2016 - Feature Article: "Derry's Tower wants PA Pipe", by Ray O'Hanlon
- October 12, 2016 – “Derry’s Tower wants PA Pipe” by Ray O’Hanlon, Irish Echo
- March 28, 2016 – “Lawmakers Memorialize ‘Duffy’s Cut’ On Main Line by Justine Heinze, Patch Staff Writer
2015 - Feature Article: "Duffy's Cut", by William Watson
- 2015 – “Duffy’s Cut” by William Watson, The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
- Oct 10, 2015 – “Duffy’s Cut: Hopes That the Mass Grave of Irish Dead Have Been Uncovered” by Eamon Sweeney, Derry Journal
- Oct 8, 2015 – “Work Begins on Duffy’s Cut Mass Grave” by Ray O’Hanlon, The Irish Echo
- Oct 8, 2015 – “Unearthing a Deadly Secret: Were 57 Irish Workers Murdered in 1832 Pennsylvania?” by Abby Phillip, The Washington Post
- Oct. 6, 2015 – “Duffy’s Cut: New Searches for Remains of Irish Migrants” by BBC News
- Oct. 5, 2015 – “Exclusive: new Search Begins for Secret Main Line Grave Holding Irish Rail Workers” by Walt Hunter, CBS News
- July 21, 2015 – “There’s no terror for Catherine anymore – priest recalls Duffy’s Cut victim” by Francis Mulraney, Irish Central
- July 20, 2015 – “Woman buried in Co Tyrone after 183 years in Duffy’s Cut”, RTE News
- July 20, 2015 – “183 years after her murder on a lonely American rail track,…” by Catherine Wylie, Belfast Telegraph
- July 19, 2015 – “Remains of 1832 US murder victim buried in County Tyrone”, Belfast Telegraph
- July 19, 2015 – “Emotions high as Duffy’s Cut victim Catherine Burns back home 183 years on”, Irish Central
- July 15, 2015 – “Body of Irish woman murdered in US 183 years ago returns to Ireland for burial” by Catherine Wylie, Irish News
- July 17, 2015 – “Duffy’s Cut: Woman murdered in Philadelphia in 1832 reburied in Northern Ireland” by Audrey Watson, BBC News
- July 15, 2015 – “Body of Irish woman murdered in US 183 years ago returns to Ireland for burial” by Catherine Wylie, Irish News
- July 12, 2015 – “Victim”, Irish News
- July 7, 2015 – “Duffy’s Cut Victim to Return Home”, Belfast Telegraph
- May 12, 2015 – “Remains of Woman Killed While Working on US Railroad in 1832…”, by Kathy Matheson, Associated Press
- May 09, 2015 – “Irish Woman Murdered at Duffy’s Cut in 1832 Begins Journey Home”, by Sheila Langan, Irish Central
- March 14, 2015 – “Ireland’s No. 2 Official, Joan Burton, Visits Philadelphia”, by Jessica Parks, Inquirer Staff Writer, philly.com
- March, 12, 2015 – “Duffy’s Cut Memorial 2015”, by Jeff Meade, Irishphiladelphia.com
- March, 11, 2015 – “Campus Ghost Stories and Real American History” by Fred Clark – Patheos
- March 4, 2015 – “Irish Woman Murdered 183 Years Ago at Duffy’s Cut Will Be re-interred in Ireland”, by Sheila Langan, IrishCentral
2014 - Feature Article: "Excavation of Duffy's Cut Continues", by Matthew Skwiat
- June/July 2014 – “Excavation of Duffy’s Cut Continues” by Matthew Skwiat, Irish America
- May 10,2014 – “Blood on the Tracks: Were 50 Irish Immigrants Murdered in Philadelphia in 1832?” by Bette Brown, Irish Examiner
- May, 1 2014 – “Duffy’s Cut: The Murder Mystery of Malvern” by William S. Patton III, PSU
- March 16, 2014 – “Duffy’s Cut 57 ….Massacre?” by Ed Snyder, The Cemetery Traveler
- March 15, 2014 – “Deaths Reveal a Hidden History of Labour and the Story of Irish America” by Simon Carswell, The Irish Times
- March 10, 2014 – “Centuries-old Mass Grave of Irish Laborers Probed in Pennsylvania”, by Daniel Kelley, Reuters
- March 9, 2014 – “Centuries-Old Mass Grave of Irish Laborers Probed in Pennsylvania“, by Daniel Kelley, Reuters
2013 - Feature Article: "Local Dentist Helps Give Respect to 19th Century Irish Immigrants", by Joh Rutter
- November 14, 2013 – “Washington National Opera Gives Young Writers a Chance to Emerge” by Anne Midgette, The Washington Post
- September 11, 2013 (Update from original 9/4/2011 story) “Bones of Dead Men Tell Tales at Duffy’s Cut” by Jon Rutter, Staff Writer Lancaster Online
- May 8, 2013 – “Secrets of the Dead: Death on the Railroad” by PBS, Thirteen Media with Impact
- March 14, 2013 – “West Laurel Hill Cemetery honors Irish Railroad Workers of Duffy’s Cut” by Main Line Suburban Life
- March 7, 2013 – “Memorial Service Planned for Duffy’s Cut Railroad Workers” by Pete Kennedy, Malvern Patch
- March 2, 2013 – “Local Dentist Helps Give Respect to 19th Century Irish Immigrant“, by Jon Rutter, Staff Writer Lancaster Online
- March 1, 2013 – “West Laurel Hill Cemetery Honors Irish Railroad Workers of Duffy’s Cut with One Year Memorial Service”, MainLine Media News
- February 28, 2013 – “19th-Century Pennsylvania Immigrant Reburied in Ireland”, by Kathy Matheson, Associated Press
- February 24, 2013 – “Burial in Ireland Planned for Duffy’s Cut Victim”, by Jim Callahan, Mainline Media News
- February 20, 1013 – “Burial in Ireland Planned for Duffy’s Cut Victim” by Jim Callahan, Main Line Suburban Life
2012 - Feature Article: "The Mystery of Duffy's Cut", by Peter Loftus
- March 6, 2012 – “Penn Anthropologist Thinks Cholera Fear Led to Main Line Murders 180 Years Ago”, by John Ostapkovich, CBS News
- March 2, 2012 – “Duffy’s Cut Revisited” by Cindy Ross
2011 - Feature Article: " Tree Growth Hampers Skeleton Search at Duffy's Cut", by Aimee Herbert
- December 8, 2011 – “Duffy’s Cut Archaeologists Search for Descendants of Murdered John Ruddy” by Kate Hickey, IrishCentral
- November 8, 2011 – “Irish Rail Workers’ Grave in East Whiteland too Close to Tracks to be Excavated” by Kristin E. Holmes,Philly.com
- October 30, 2011 – “PA Researchers Unable to Unearth Mass Grave” by Kathy Matheson, Associated Press
- October 16, 2011 – “Bodies of Evidence May Unravel Mystery Dating to 1832” by Jon Rutter, Lancaster Online
- October 4, 2011 – “Tree Growth Hampers Skeleton Search at Duffy’s Cut” by Aimee Herbert, Malvern Patch
- September 21, 2011 – “More Bones Turn Up as Researchers Dig at Duffy’s Cut” by Aimee Herbert, Malvern Patch
- April 14, 2011 – “The Mystery of Duffy’s Cut” by Peter Loftus, The Wall Street Journal
2010 - Feature Article: "Bones Beneath the Tracks", by Samuel Hughes
- October 25, 2010 – “Bones Beneath the Tracks” by Samuel Hughes,
The Pennsylvania Gazette - September 25, 2010 – “Duffy’s cut Victim to be Given a Face” by Barry J. Whyte, IrishCentral.com
- September 15, 2010 – “1832 Cholera Outbreak in Philadelphia and Duffy’s Cut” by Faith Charlton, PAHRC
- September 15, 2010 – “Crime Scene” by Ray O’Hanlon, The Irish Echo
- September 4, 2010 – (updated 9/4/2013) “Bones of Dead Men Tell Tales at Duffy’s Cut” by Jon Rutter, Lancaster Online
- May, 23, 2010 – “Fates of Irish Workers Sealed in Mass Grave” by NPR, All Things Considered
- April 23, 2010 – “Lost and Found” by J.F. Pirro, MainLine Today
- April 2010 – “Ireland’s Forgotten Sons Recovered Two Centuries Later” by Abigail Tucker, Smithsonian Magazine
- April 2010 – “Irish Railroad Workers May Have Been Murdered” by Amy Invenizzi, Irish Emigrant Online
- August 25, 2009 – “Duffy’s Cut” Update” by Benny Benack, Pennsylvania Haunts and History
- March 17, 2008 – “Duffy’s Cut” by Benny Benack, Pennsylvania Haunts and History
- August 22, 2007 – “Mass Grave May House Immigrants” by Clare Weir, Belfast Telegraph
- June/July 2004 – “Ghosts Beneath the Rails” by Lois Puglionesi, Irish America Magazine
- August 25, 2003 – “Tracking History” by Lois Puglionesi, For The Times Herald
2003 to 2009 Earlier Articles - Duffy's Cut
- August 25, 2009 – “Duffy’s Cut” Update” by Benny Benack, Pennsylvania Haunts and History
- March 17, 2008 – “Duffy’s Cut” by Benny Benack, Pennsylvania Haunts and History
- August 22, 2007 – “Mass Grave May House Immigrants” by Clare Weir, Belfast Telegra
- June/July 2004 – “Ghosts Beneath the Rails” by Lois Puglionesi, Irish America Magazine
- August 25, 2003 – “Tracking History” by Lois Puglionesi, For The Times Herald
Duffy's Cut Interviews
Please be aware that some of these interviews may require a login or are no longer available, about Duffy’s Cut. These interviews may or may not have any ties with the Duffy’s Cut Project, the Duffy’s Cut team or their affiliates. We found these of some interest and worthy of some attention. We hope you enjoy them.
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- 2016 – My Neighbor the Mass Grave by Shannon O’Brien
- May 23 2010 – NPR “All Things Considered”
- September 11, 2009 – WHYY Radio “A Journey in Philadelphia’s Immigrant Past” by Peter Crimmins
Duffy's Cut Awards
The original song entitled “Duffy’s Cut” by Pat Kenneally won First Place in the 2013
Pennsylvania Heritage Song writing Competition
Check out our Facebook Page
We are pleased to announce the winner of this original songwriters competition, Pat Kenneally, for her original song entitled “Duffy’s Cut”. We are very honored that our story was chosen as a source for this beautiful piece.
Pat performed her song at the Smoked Country Jam Festival in June of 2013 in Cross Fork, Pennsylvania. For information on this years festival – Click here
To listen to Pat’s rendition – click here
The 4th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards, 2007 – Irish Film and Television Awards as seen in Variety
Single Documentary
“Flann O’Brien: The Lives of Brian” (Mint Productions)
“The Brothers” (RTE / Nemeton Television Production)
“The Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut” (RTE / Tile Films LTD) Wins for Best Single Documentary, 2007
“NO GO – The Free Derry Story” (Open Reel Productions LTD)
“Tails from America” (RTE / Midas Productions)
Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriters Competition 2013
Duffy's Cut Videos
Please be aware that some of the videos may no longer be available, the best place to view them is doing a search on YouTube – Duffy’s Cut –
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=duffys+cut
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- Duffy’s Cut Museum – by William Watson
- YouTube Videos on Duffy’s Cut
- June 24, 2022 – “Duffy’s Cut:” by Rob Nelson of Quest TV
- March 19, 2014 – “The Legend of Duffy’s Cut” – A ghost story of Duffy’s Cut by Lori Monk and Rick Cosgriff.
- May 23 2010 – NPR “All Things Considered”
- September 11, 2009 – WHYY Radio “A Journey in Philadelphia’s Immigrant Past” by Peter Crimmins
Duffy's Cut Blogs
Here are some blogs written about Duffy’s Cut that were brought to our attention. These blogs may or may not have any ties with the Duffy’s Cut Project, the Duffy’s Cut team or their affiliates. We found these of some interest and worthy of some attention. We hope you enjoy them.
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- The Story of Duffy’s Cut, Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Posted March 1, 2025
- Laurel Hill and Duffy’s Cut – A History of Our Connections – Posted May 18, 2018 on The Laurel Hill Blog
- Duffy’s Cut Victim Returns to Donegal for Burial – Posted March 30, 2013 on The History Blog
- Duffy’s Cut 57…Massacre? – Posted March 16, 2014 by Ed Snyder on The Cemetery Traveler
Duffy's Cut Men
Donegal Men
George Doherty, 28
John Ruddy, 18
William Putetill, 20
William Devine, 21
Daniel McCahill, 25
Bernie McGarty, 20
David Patchill, 20
Bernard McIlheaney, 23
George Quigley, 22
Derry Men
John McGlone, 23
John McClanon, 24
Tyrone Men
James Deveney, 26
Patrick McAnamy, 20
Samuel Forbes, 23
Duffy's Cut - Walt Hunter Exclusives
Eyewitness News Reporter Walt Hunter is one of the market’s most outstanding investigative reporters. His hard-driving and in-depth reporting style has won him scores of awards and honors including 16 Philadelphia Emmy Awards, most recently the 2014 Emmy for coverage of “Hurricane Sandy,” also one for “Outstanding General Assignment Reporter”. Hunter has also been honored by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster, the Associated Press and the Philadelphia Press Association. In 2007, he was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.
- October 5, 2015 – “New Search Begins for Secret Main Line Grave Holding Irish Rail Workers”
- March 16, 2014 – “The Crime Guys” – Interview with William Watson
- February 23, 2011 – “After 179 years, new Evidence Points to Mass Murder on the Main Line”
- July 2, 2009 – “New Details on Mass Burial Site”
- March 23, 2009 – “Remains of Irish Workers Uncovered”
- March 24, 2009 – “177 Year Old Mystery Solved”
- March 24, 2009 – Press Conference
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