Irish America

Irish America

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Hibernia | The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence

By Irish America Staff

July/August 1991

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The Declaration of Independence was written in the hand of Irish-born Charles Thomson. First read to the people by John Nixon, another native of Ireland. Printed by John Dunlap also born in Ireland. Signed by at least three people of Irish birth: James Smith, George Taylor and Matthew Thornton. And at least five other signers had Irish-born parents or grandparents: Thomas … [Read more...] about Hibernia | The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence

A Little Irish Romance | Marriage in the Good Old Days

From The Uncounted Irish by Margaret E. Fitzgerald and Joseph A. King

April 1991

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A woman at marriage passed into her husband's fine and was accorded half his worth in honor-price, but she also had status in her own right. Some historians believe that the high status of women in ancient Ireland was part of the pre-Celtic culture that was absorbed by the invading Celts. One thesis is based on the fact that invaders of all countries were accustomed to taking … [Read more...] about A Little Irish Romance | Marriage in the Good Old Days

Hibernia | Irish in the Civil War

By Jack McCormack

March 1991

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The March-April issue of Civil War magazine is devoted to examining the role of the Irish in the War Between the States. This fact comes on the heels of the widely acclaimed Public Broadcasting System's eleven-hour series "The Civil War," which virtually ignored the Irish contributions to both sides in America's most famous conflict. PBS mentioned the Irish for about fifteen … [Read more...] about Hibernia | Irish in the Civil War

Charleston’s Hibernian Hall

By Mary Pat Kelly

March 1991

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Charleston, South Carolina: At first I saw what I anticipated-streets of beautiful eighteenth-and nineteenth-century homes and public buildings lovingly restored. True, Hurricane Hugo had struck. But the people had fought back. Injured buildings were shedding their scaffolding to stand proud again. Memories of both the Revolutionary and Civil wars abounded. We saw Saint … [Read more...] about Charleston’s Hibernian Hall