I am delighted to be able to share the fantastic news with readers that on Thursday 19th October next a memorial plaque will be unveiled at Andersonville National Historic Site to the memory of the Irish Americans who died there and to their families. As many of you know, for quite a while now we have been running the Andersonville Irish Project on this website, an initiative which has to date identified more than 850 Irish Americans who perished at the prison site. Andersonville National Cemetery almost certainly contains more Irish American casualties from the Civil War than any other in America, and as such this marker is particularly appropriate. The realisation of the plaque is due in large measure to the unstinting efforts of Professor Nicholas Allen of the Willson Center for Humanities & Arts at the University of Georgia, the Consulate General of Ireland in Atalanta and the Northern Ireland Bureau. The ongoing cooperation and assistance of the excellent staff at Andersonville National Historic Site has also proved invaluable. As someone who has spent many years working on the impact of the American Civil War on Irish people, this promises to be a particularly special day, particularly given the presence of representatives of the island of Ireland, including Irish Government Minister Darragh O’Brien. The official flyer for the event is shared here- I hope some of you might be able to join us on the day!
Paul J O'Neil
October 3, 2023 7:46 pmI will be visiting in November, looking forward to seeing the plaque. Are you sure you cant postpone the event?
irishacw
October 4, 2023 1:45 pmGlad you will get there Paul, sorry you can’t make it for the unveiling but at least you should be able to see it! Will it be your first time at Andersonville or have you visited before?
Don
October 3, 2023 11:18 pmHi, I noticed you are displaying piece of art of Andersonville by Thomas O’dea. He was my 2nd GrGrandfather. He was also a prisoner at Andersonville. Do you have any information of him? Thank you.
irishacw
October 4, 2023 1:44 pmHi Don,
Fantastic to hear from you! What an incredible relative to have! During research for the project we confirmed he was from Co. Clare, as the name would suggest- we have done the first of a two part series on him, the second will appear in the future and be focused on his life- here is the post on the drawing- https://irishamericancivilwar.com/2022/08/23/andersonville-irish-spotlight-thomas-odea-the-clare-emigrant-who-immortalised-andersonville-in-art-part-1-imagery/ – is there much information within the family about him?