roots


Irish travel: Historic Irish places across America



Tipperary Hill: A hub between Albany and Buffalo during construction of the Erie Canal, Syracuse became a popular place for Irish immigrants. Tipperary Hill is still home to many of their descendants. A signature of the neighborhood is the inverted traffic signal with the Irish green above the British red! Our kinda place! Glucksman Ireland House: Located in the heart of New York's Greenwich Village, Glucksman Ireland House is the center for Irish Studies at NYU. It hosts weekly public events during the academic year as well as monthly traditional Irish music. There are evening Irish language classes for non-credit adult learners. Jim Thorpe: The PA town is home to a visitors center with information on the 20 Irish men who were hanged for their involvement in Molly Maguires, a secretive union that tried to fight for the rights of the oppressed Irish who labored in the coal mines. The things they carried: Ellis Island officially opened on January 1, 1892 and the first passenger registered was a young Irish girl Annie Moore. Today it is home to a thought-provoking history of immigration including this exhibit of restored luggage. The Alamo: The pivotal point of the Texas revolution took place at The Alamo in 1836 when a relatively small number of Texan soldiers then occupied the compound. General Sam Houston believed the Texans could not hold the fort and ordered Colonel James Bowie to destroy it. Bowie and fellow Irish American frontiersman Davy Crockett chose to disregard those orders and instead worked with Colonel James C. Neill to fortify the mission. Bunker Hill: First and second-generation Irishmen played a crucial role at the battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. Commanded by Irish-American John Stark who later became a colonel in Washington's army, the group smashed a column of light infantry sent by the British to quell the rebellion, forcing the small British unit into a bloody frontal assault. The battle demonstrated that the inexperienced Colonial forces were able to stand up to government troops. O'Toole's Bar, Loughinisland, County Down. The scene of a massacre on a Saturday night in June as locals gathered to watch Ireland play Italy in the World Cup. The photograph is held at the John J. Burns Library at Boston College. The Donner Pass: Now crossed by the safer Lincoln Highway, the Donner Pass is the route taken by the ill-fated Donner Party across the Sierra Nevada.  The Breen and Reed families from Ireland were among the few who would survive the ordeal in which the stranded travelers resorted to cannibalism to survive. O'Neill, Nebraska: Dubbed the "Irish capital of Nebraska," O'Neill is named after an immigrant from Monaghan, called O'Neill obviously! who settled the area. John O'Neill came to town in the hope of luring immigrants from Philadelphia to start farming communities there. And, as the picture shows, it is also home to the world's biggest shamrock...allegedly! Robert Emmet Statue, Golden Gate Park: The Robert Emmet Statue was originally supposed to go in the town square in Emmetsburg, Iowa, but was abandoned when materials became scarce because of World War I. California Senator James Duval Phelan then bought it and shipped it to San Francisco where it was unveiled by Eamon De Valera on July 20, 1919. The Corby Monument, Gettysburg, PA: The 100th anniversary of the dedication of the statue of Fr William Corby will be celebrated on Oct. 29, 2010. Fr Corby gave the men of the Irish Brigade absolution on Jul. 2, 1863 just before the men went into battle. Fr Corby died on Dec. 28, 1897 and is buried in the cemetery of Notre Dame University.  The J.F.K. Library, Boston: The J.F>K. Presidential Library and Museum is located on a 10-acre park in Boston, M.A. The museum includes three theaters and 25 multi-media exhibits that chronicle the lives of John and Robert F. Kennedy and trace the Irish history of the Kennedy family. Thousands waited on line at the library this past August when the visitation was held for the last remaining Kennedy brother, the late Senator Edward Kennedy. Butte, Montana: Cavan man Marcus Daly, the Irish 'Copper King" turned the sleepy town of Butte into a copper mining center and employed thousands of Irish immigrants at above-average wages. When the mining boom ended, many Irish decided to stay and contribute to its distinctive Irish flavor! Margaret Mitchell House, Atlanta, GA: The Margaret Mitchell House offers guided tours of the apartment where Mitchell wrote "Gone With The Wind," as well as exhibits celebrating the life and work of this celebrated American author. The house also includes a Literary Center where visitors can attend lectures and workshops.

22 Comments

See all comments

A female author called Mc Carthy has published a book called "The Other Irish" in a tribute to Irish-Americans of Ulster-Scot heritage - most notables of which included Davy Crokett and Jim Bowie! Having viewed a bronze death mask of Irish patriot Robert Emmet at Adam's Auction Rooms here in Dublin recently, I can confirm that the statue above is a reasonable facsimili thereof. Note well, as thou gazeth thereupon, that thou cometh face-to-face with a great Irishman. Am glad to see that not all Cavan men are not stereotypically mean, and that the copper magnate from from the said Ulster county was a Molly Maguire employer in Butte, Montana. Not too far from Robert Emmet's statue in Dublin's Central Park, Saint Stephen's Green, is an almost identical house to that of Margaret Mitchell's, having survived many a gale force wind over the years. Thank's again IC from an Irishman in Ireland who is fiercly proud (and humbled) by our American connections. Any chance of an article on the numerous Dublin's in the United States of America (USA).
A female author called Mc Carthy has published a book called "The Other Irish" in a tribute to Irish-Americans of Ulster-Scot heritage - most notables of which included Davy Crokett and Jim Bowie! Having viewed a bronze death mask of Irish patriot Robert Emmet at Adam's Auction Rooms here in Dublin recently, I can confirm that the statue above is a reasonable facsimili thereof. Note well, as thou gazeth thereupon, that thou cometh face-to-face with a great Irishman. Am glad to see that not all Cavan men are not stereotypically mean, and that the copper magnate from from the said Ulster county was a Molly Maguire employer in Butte, Montana. Not too far from Robert Emmet's statue in Dublin's Central Park, Saint Stephen's Green, is an almost identical house to that of Margaret Mitchell's, having survived many a gale force wind over the years. Thank's again IC from an Irishman in Ireland who is fiercly proud (and humbled) by our American connections. Any chance of an article on the numerous Dublin's in the United States of America (USA).
A female author called Mc Carthy has published a book called "The Other Irish" in a tribute to Irish-Americans of Ulster-Scot heritage - most notables of which included Davy Crokett and Jim Bowie! Having viewed a bronze death mask of Irish patriot Robert Emmet at Adam's Auction Rooms here in Dublin recently, I can confirm that the statue above is a reasonable facsimili thereof. Note well, as thou gazeth thereupon, that thou cometh face-to-face with a great Irishman. Am glad to see that not all Cavan men are not stereotypically mean, and that the copper magnate from from the said Ulster county was a Molly Maguire employer in Butte, Montana. Not too far from Robert Emmet's statue in Dublin's Central Park, Saint Stephen's Green, is an almost identical house to that of Margaret Mitchell's, having survived many a gale force wind over the years. Thank's again IC from an Irishman in Ireland who is fiercly proud (and humbled) by our American connections. Any chance of an article on the numerous Dublin's in the United States of America (USA).
Another thumbs up on Jim Thorpe, Pa. It is a beautiful old town winding up the mountain. Four of the Mollies were hanged in the jail there. Alexander Campbell left his handprint on the wall in testimony of his innocence. The handprint is still there after 134 years. And yes, the people who run the old jail are great. I ordered a couple of t-shirts with the handprint over the phone. The T-shirts were shipped promptly.
I would like to submit for your next such list "The South Carolina Irish Memorial" I was dedicated in 2008 to all those Irish who were brought here in 1820 as indentured servants to build the Columbia Canal. The local paper reported at the time that the local slaves were worth much more than the Irish. Many of them died digging the canal and were entombed in its banks. The monument sits in Riverfront Park alongside the canal in Columbia,SC.
I would like to submit for your next such list "The South Carolina Irish Memorial" I was dedicated in 2008 to all those Irish who were brought here in 1820 as indentured servants to build the Columbia Canal. The local paper reported at the time that the local slaves were worth much more than the Irish. Many of them died digging the canal and were entombed in its banks. The monument sits in Riverfront Park alongside the canal in Columbia,SC.
I would like to submit for your next such list "The South Carolina Irish Memorial" I was dedicated in 2008 to all those Irish who were brought here in 1820 as indentured servants to build the Columbia Canal. The local paper reported at the time that the local slaves were worth much more than the Irish. Many of them died digging the canal and were entombed in its banks. The monument sits in Riverfront Park alongside the canal in Columbia,SC.
Peterkissel: It's not in Charleston SC by any chance? Speaking of SC, I would have liked to include the battlefield at Eutaw Springs SC. It was the scene of the last battle of the Revolutionary War, and its specific Irish interest is because the great Lord Edward Fitzgerald was seriously wounded in the battle (fighting for the British). His life was saved by the efforts of a black slave who took care of him. That slave--Tony Small-was loyal to Lord Edward till the end. Lord Edward was murdered by British agents in Dublin in 1798. Finally, I object to the inclusion of the Alamo in any list that honors Irish people. The Texican rebellion against Mexico was a coup by a small pro-slavery faction of outsiders and foreign migrants (Mexico had outlawed slavery). It's nothing to be proud of.
Peterkissel: It's not in Charleston SC by any chance? Speaking of SC, I would have liked to include the battlefield at Eutaw Springs SC. It was the scene of the last battle of the Revolutionary War, and its specific Irish interest is because the great Lord Edward Fitzgerald was seriously wounded in the battle (fighting for the British). His life was saved by the efforts of a black slave who took care of him. That slave--Tony Small-was loyal to Lord Edward till the end. Lord Edward was murdered by British agents in Dublin in 1798. Finally, I object to the inclusion of the Alamo in any list that honors Irish people. The Texican rebellion against Mexico was a coup by a small pro-slavery faction of outsiders and foreign migrants (Mexico had outlawed slavery). It's nothing to be proud of.
Peterkissel: It's not in Charleston SC by any chance? Speaking of SC, I would have liked to include the battlefield at Eutaw Springs SC. It was the scene of the last battle of the Revolutionary War, and its specific Irish interest is because the great Lord Edward Fitzgerald was seriously wounded in the battle (fighting for the British). His life was saved by the efforts of a black slave who took care of him. That slave--Tony Small-was loyal to Lord Edward till the end. Lord Edward was murdered by British agents in Dublin in 1798. Finally, I object to the inclusion of the Alamo in any list that honors Irish people. The Texican rebellion against Mexico was a coup by a small pro-slavery faction of outsiders (Mexico had outlawed slavery). It's nothing to be proud of.
Cleburne Texas, named for Confederate General, Patrick Cleburne who migrated from County Cork. He was killed leading his men into battle against the North at Franklin Tennessee.
Great selections but Atlanta also boasts the Fr O'Reilly Memorial. The Cavan-born priest convinced General Sherman to spare churches and certain municipal buildings from his famous conflagration on his MARCH TO THE SEA. It should stand as number 15.
More interesting facts about the Emmet statue. There were four identical statues made. The sculptor was Jerome Connor, who was born in Annascaul, Co. Kerry -- the same village where Tom Crean of the shackleton Expedition was from and where Crean's bar still stands. Another of the Emmet statues is in Dublin. Does anyone know where the fourth one might be?
The same Corby Monument stands outside Corby Hall at the University of Notre Dame in honor of the Irish American patriot.
Thumbs up on Jim Thorpe. The Old Jail Museum is a must see. Some of the Mollies were imprisoned and executed there. It is owned and run by a really nice couple. They do us all a service by keeping this piece of Irish American history alive and accessible.







Most Recent Comments

A female author called Mc Carthy has published a book called "The Other Irish" in a tribute to Irish-Americans of Ulster-Scot heritage - most notables of which included Davy Crokett and Jim Bowie! Having viewed a bronze death mask of Irish patriot Robert Emmet at Adam's Auction Rooms here in Dublin recently, I can confirm that the statue above is a reasonable facsimili thereof. Note well, as thou gazeth thereupon, that thou cometh face-to-face with a great Irishman. Am glad to see that not all Cavan men are not stereotypically mean, and that the copper magnate from from the said Ulster county was a Molly Maguire employer in Butte, Montana. Not too far from Robert Emmet's statue in Dublin's Central Park, Saint Stephen's Green, is an almost identical house to that of Margaret Mitchell's, having survived many a gale force wind over the years. Thank's again IC from an Irishman in Ireland who is fiercly proud (and humbled) by our American connections. Any chance of an article on the numerous Dublin's in the United States of America (USA).
A female author called Mc Carthy has published a book called "The Other Irish" in a tribute to Irish-Americans of Ulster-Scot heritage - most notables of which included Davy Crokett and Jim Bowie! Having viewed a bronze death mask of Irish patriot Robert Emmet at Adam's Auction Rooms here in Dublin recently, I can confirm that the statue above is a reasonable facsimili thereof. Note well, as thou gazeth thereupon, that thou cometh face-to-face with a great Irishman. Am glad to see that not all Cavan men are not stereotypically mean, and that the copper magnate from from the said Ulster county was a Molly Maguire employer in Butte, Montana. Not too far from Robert Emmet's statue in Dublin's Central Park, Saint Stephen's Green, is an almost identical house to that of Margaret Mitchell's, having survived many a gale force wind over the years. Thank's again IC from an Irishman in Ireland who is fiercly proud (and humbled) by our American connections. Any chance of an article on the numerous Dublin's in the United States of America (USA).
A female author called Mc Carthy has published a book called "The Other Irish" in a tribute to Irish-Americans of Ulster-Scot heritage - most notables of which included Davy Crokett and Jim Bowie! Having viewed a bronze death mask of Irish patriot Robert Emmet at Adam's Auction Rooms here in Dublin recently, I can confirm that the statue above is a reasonable facsimili thereof. Note well, as thou gazeth thereupon, that thou cometh face-to-face with a great Irishman. Am glad to see that not all Cavan men are not stereotypically mean, and that the copper magnate from from the said Ulster county was a Molly Maguire employer in Butte, Montana. Not too far from Robert Emmet's statue in Dublin's Central Park, Saint Stephen's Green, is an almost identical house to that of Margaret Mitchell's, having survived many a gale force wind over the years. Thank's again IC from an Irishman in Ireland who is fiercly proud (and humbled) by our American connections. Any chance of an article on the numerous Dublin's in the United States of America (USA).
See all comments


Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail