"Pray for the dead, but fight like hell for the living." - Mother Jones This special issue on the Great Hunger is an effort to tell the story of what happened in Ireland and explore more fully the story of those who survived the crossing and began a new life in America. While there’s no denying the darkness of the story, the colossal loss of life, the fractured families, the … [Read more...] about A Living Memorial
Issues
Return to Ireland
The kings of Ireland were not inaugurated in Christian churches as were other European monarchs. The chieftains stood on the high hills that enclosed the tombs of their tribal ancestors during the ceremonial rites that made them king. This image, given to us by Eamonn Kelly, Keeper of Irish Antiquities, National Museum of Ireland, resonated with our group. We were Irish … [Read more...] about Return to Ireland
The Irish American Dream
Compiled by Kara Rota, Tara Dougherty, Aliah O'Neill, Anne Thompson, and Ron Kaplan
June / July 2010
June / July 2010
The Irish who survived the perilous journey to America struggled to build a new life for themselves and their families in the new world, and in doing so, they would help to shape American culture. Here are just a few of our Irish heroes, Famine immigrants and their descendants, who rose to the top in the industry, arts, culture, business, and politics. Annie … [Read more...] about The Irish American Dream
The Search for Missing Friends
From 1831 through 1916, the national Boston Pilot newspaper printed some 45,000 “Missing Friends” advertisements placed by friends and relatives in attempts to locate loved ones lost during emigration. These ads, consolidated into edited volumes, provide a valuable record of a poor emigrant population trying to reach one another. Several of these volumes were edited by Emer … [Read more...] about The Search for Missing Friends
The Hands that Built America
Between 1845 and 1855, some 1.8 million left Ireland for Canada and the United States. Those who were lucky enough to survive the brutal journey to the New World were motivated by the hope of new possibilities, including the promise of employment. Ten thousand Micks They swung their picks To build the new canal But the choleray was stronger’n they And killed ’em all … [Read more...] about The Hands that Built America