Irish in the American Civil War

I had the pleasure recently of participating in a discussion on Irish involvement in the American Civil War as part of the 1848 Tricolour Celebrations in Waterford. It took place in the Granville Hotel, on the site of Thomas Francis Meagher’s birthplace, and was organised as part of History Ireland magazine’s ‘Hedge School’ series. The [...]

As I am an archaeologist by profession, the vast majority of public presentations I give are related to that subject, principally my area of expertise which is conflict archaeology. It is therefore very gratifying for me to have two upcoming engagements which have arisen as a result of the Irish in the American Civil War site. I [...]

One of the key aims of this site is the promotion of awareness in Ireland regarding the extent of Irish involvement in the American Civil War. Although well known in the United States, the defining influence this conflict had on hundreds of thousands of Irish in America remains virtually unknown in Ireland. There is perhaps [...]

Author of Chicago’s Irish Legion: The 90th Illinois Volunteers in the Civil War and friend of the site Jim Swan has brought a fascinating artefact relating to the Irish Brigade to my attention. Jim spotted it being displayed by a vendor, The Veteran’s Attic, near Chicago. The object is a cigarette case, but one that [...]

As the Irish in the American Civil War site continues to develop it is intended that the regular articles will be interspersed with ‘Discussion and Debate’ pieces, aimed at stimulating dialogue and asking or posing specific questions about the Irish experience of the war. Certain topics will include follow-on posts, allowing for responses or differing [...]

In an update on the previous post regarding the upcoming Fág an Bealach docudrama, Tile Films have kindly passed on the schedule information. For viewers in the United States the two episodes will be airing back to back on Smithsonian Networks this coming Thursday 17th March. In Ireland the first episode will be on TG4 on [...]

  The 5th and 6th of March last saw the inaugural 1848 Tricolour Celebration. The green, white and orange flag which would eventually become the national colour of the Republic of Ireland was first flown by Thomas Francis Meagher at the Wolfe Tone Confederate Club, 33 The Mall, Waterford, on 7th March 1848. The failed [...]

Tile Films are in the final stages of work on their two part docudrama Fág an Bealach (Faugh a Ballagh/Clear The Way) which focuses on the Irish Brigade. Each programme is 52 minutes in length and has been prepared for TG4 and the Smithsonian Channel USA. Episode One looks at the Brigade at the Battle of [...]

Historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York is currently fundraising for a memorial to Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher. A bronze-relief of the leader of the Irish Brigade has been designed by sculptor Ron Tunison, to be placed beside the grave of Meagher’s widow, Elizabeth Townsend Meagher. Following her husband’s death she lamented the fact that [...]