Irish America

Irish America

Newsletter

‘The Famine in Ireland’

By James Connolly

Originally published in The People, vol 8., no. 9., May 29 1898.

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James Connolly writes to comrades in the U.S. of his recent tour through the famine districts of Ireland; its historic roots; and its impact on Irish politics.    DUBLIN, Ireland. May 22, 1898. It is possible that even amid the excitement of the Cuban War and despite the all-absorbing labors of the S.L.P. of America in its prosecution of the far more important class war, … [Read more...] about ‘The Famine in Ireland’

Supreme Court to Rule on Birthright Citizenship

By Abdon Pallasch

IA Newsletter, June 6 2026

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The 1800s were not all that different than our current times when it comes to scape-goating immigrants – the difference is that the target back then were Irish immigrants, an attorney told Supreme Court justices in April. “They believed Irish Catholic immigrants were unassimilable and could never become Americans,” attorney Cecilia Wang said of the Know-Nothing Party, which was … [Read more...] about Supreme Court to Rule on Birthright Citizenship

Margaret Corbin: A Soldier’s Wife Turned America’s First Artillerywoman

By Ray Cavanaugh

IA Newsletter June 6 2026

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There were a number of women who played an important role in helping the American side during the Revolutionary War. But very few women in that era became involved with the actual fighting. And almost none of them seemed as combat-ready as Margaret Cochran Corbin, who was the first woman in America to obtain a pension due to military service. The daughter of Irish immigrant … [Read more...] about Margaret Corbin: A Soldier’s Wife Turned America’s First Artillerywoman

The Wild American Tenure of Wicklow Native Matthew Lyon

By Ray Cavanaugh

IA Newsletter June 6 2026

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Matthew Lyon was a man on the rise. But not in a slick and ingratiating way. He was bold and brash. These traits apparently surfaced quite young in life. He may well have possessed them from the time he was born in County Wicklow on Jul. 14, 1750 (some sources say 1749).  According to The Journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Lyon's father was executed for treason … [Read more...] about The Wild American Tenure of Wicklow Native Matthew Lyon

Belfast Court Finally Rules on 1972 Springhill/Westrock Belfast Killings

By Brian Dooley

IA Newsletter May 16, 2026

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The last few minutes waiting for the verdict in the Belfast court were excruciating. Relatives of five people shot dead by British soldiers in west Belfast one night in July 1972 sat at the back of the huge courtroom. Some of us invited by the families sat behind the glass screen that separated our benches from the judge, listening to his ruling through speakers. By four … [Read more...] about Belfast Court Finally Rules on 1972 Springhill/Westrock Belfast Killings