Celebrating Irish Heritage and History

Eight Shiny Buttons  (copied by I.V. Prisoner, June 1916) Though the poet ascribed this piece in the right-hand side to Lieut. John MacDonagh, we understand this to mean Irish poet Thomas MacDonagh (1 February 1878 – 3 May 1916). MacDonagh was one of the seven leaders…

By Ellen Mooney Galway man, William James MacNeven was a physician, scientist, and political figure in the late 1700s. A friend of fellow United Irishman Thomas Addis Emmet, MacNeven was largely involved in the fight against Great Britain for Catholic rights and Irish…

This week, we take a dip into our Irish language section by focusing on playwright, educator, and folklorist Máiréad Ní Ghráda. As noted in our present exhibit, Irish language study has long been a part of the Irish diaspora. In our early 20th century acquisitions, we…

150 years ago, from the 17th to the 19th of April in 1876, six Fenian rebels escaped an Australian penal colony and made their way to New York. Though many are familiar with the work of Irish-American journalist John Devoy (a staple of AIHS’ collections) to organize…

Perhaps one of the most striking pieces on permanent exhibition in the American Irish Historical Society is at the same time one of the least familiar to Irish historians. Hanging at the center of our grand dining hall is a stunning, yet unintimidating, seascape…

Photograph of Irish folklorist Ella Young circa 1 January 1942, unknown photographer This week, we return to the mystical world of the Celtic Revival, looking now at the works of Ella Young. Young (1867-1956) was a poet, mythologist, and author of children’s…

Continuing on in our archives series, we focus this week on a crucial figure to Irish-American history, who finds her origins her at AIHS. Anna Frances Levins (March 21, 1876 – July 15, 1941) was the society’s first female executive officer and our historic…

As the big day rapidly approaches, we are dedicating our blog to Saint Patrick and his celebrations for the next two weeks. Saint Patrick’s Day (17 March) is known for many things in and outside of Irish America. Those who are not Irish may only see it as a day for…

March is known in Irish American circles for the event of Saint Patrick’s Day, and a month-long celebration of heritage surrounding the holy day. But, since 1980, it has also been Women’s History Month. This annual observance showcases the lesser known stories of…