American Irish History Week

Irish, as a whole, are now truly part of America. Unfortunately, other ethnic, religious and social groups around the world suffer many of the same problems as American Irish have overcome. Indeed, the past struggles and successes of Irish Americans can serve as a positive example for any individual or country trying to improve their cultural identity.

As with most groups facing persecution in the world today, the Irish have a history of turmoil. Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish in the 400s. For hundreds of years, their religion was not challenged until 1100 when the first English invasions began. These powerful new English immigrants were Protestant Christians and they harshly persecuted the Roman Catholic Irish. They took away their land and political rights and forced the Irish to live in poverty and starvation on the poorest land. Several secret Irish organizations, such as the Land League, evolved during the 1870s to oppose the English.

My friend's great-grandfather was involved in this league, but the government officials found out and were going to shoot him, so he fled to America. This is just one example of the many acts of intolerance which took place.

The challenges of Irish immigrants are much like those of other persecuted groups in the world. The Irish were the first non-English and Catholic group to immigrate to Protestant America, so they had an exceptionally hard time being assimilated. After the potato famine, there was little promise for either Irish men or women. The men had no land to farm, and the women had no dowry or choice of successful young men to marry. However, they found that life was not much better for them in America.

Established Americans attempted to block Irish social advancement with signs such as ``No Irish Need Apply.''

Irish immigrants formed organizations to help fellow Irishmen survive and get ahead in American life. Their churches encouraged them to drop their allegiance to Ireland and become assimilated more easily. They strongly encouraged each other to vote and gain political power. It wasn't until President John F. Kennedy, an Irish Catholic, was elected that the Irish were truly accepted as fellow Americans.

The Irish have given numerous contributions to American communities. Many proud and strong Irish women who worked in factories became leaders for labor unions which protect our workers today. The Irish also had a genius for politics and have traditionally been strong Democrats. Irish women such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, have prospered. Another outstanding contribution by the Irish is in literature. The Irish are known for their wit and imagination and have produced such authors as George Bernard Shaw, Eugene O'Neill, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.