CAPE HAD ITS WILD IRISHMAN; BUT MR. MIGGINS ISN'T STEREOTYPICAL

Everybody's name supposedly begins with an "O'" or a "Mc" on St. Patrick's Day. But Cape Girardeau doesn't have to fib about its Irish heritage.

Though the city owes much to the French, the Spanish and the Germans, you could say Mike Miggins left his mark as well. In more ways than one.

According to the story, recounted by Cape Girardean E.N. Blumer in 1976, a section of the city was named for Miggins or at least for his behavior.

Miggins, listed in the 1906 City Directory as a street commissioner, lived at 8 N. Main St. During the week, the plumber-pipefitter was a model citizen and family man. Every Saturday night, though, Miggins would get dressed up and go downtown. He'd return home drunk and swinging at everyone in sight.

Thus, as the story goes (and stories do go on St. Patrick's Day), the city's long-vanished Irish section was named Donnybrook.

Accounts dated around 1905 say Donnybrook stretched along North Main Street from Broadway to Sloan's Creek, near First Street.

Others say it was the section between the old International shoe factory and the Red Star District.

Another simply positions Donnybrook near the old shoe factory, which was near the corner of North Main Street and Big Bend Road.

Only two or three Irish families reportedly were living there in 1905, and the distinction has long since faded away.

This story unfortunately reinforces a stereotype of the Irishman who likes to drink and brawl. The city's sons and daughters of Erin differ on the truth of that matter.

Chris O'Connell says the Irish deserve to be known more for their gumption. "Most of them are pretty strong-willed," he said.

Michael O'Connor, who said his grandparents came from near County Cork, discounted at least half the stereotype.

"I don't like to fight," O'Connor said.

Philip O'Kelly said exactly the same thing, but insinuated that his brothers do. O'Kelly couldn't think of a more appropriate stereotype for the Irish.

"Beside the majority of them being good-looking, I don't know anything else," he said.

Betty McCormick has both Irish and Native American blood in her, but said St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated "with a little party" sure to include corned beef and cabbage.

Kevin McMeel is the most tradition-minded of those contacted. His great-great-great-grandfather came to America in 1853 from County Monoghan.

It's not surprising that a proud Irish-American keeps track of such things. The Gaelic prefix "O" means "grandson of" and "Mc" means "grandson of" or "son of."

McMeel's 7-year-old son, Brendan Sean, is named for Ireland's patron saint of sailors. The Irish claim St. Brendan discovered America in the 6th century.

"It may be more legend than fact," McMeel allows.

This business of a stereotype he finds amusing. "I was stereotypical when I was in college," he says.

Pointing to the Irish gift for writing Brendan Behan and Dylan Thomas being good examples McMeel said, "I think Irishmen should be thought of as a special breed."

McMeel, 39, won't be found in a pub drinking green beer tonight.

"I leave that for amateurs," he said. "We Irishmen don't have to act Irish."