History of the Irish Americans in Philadelphia

"Leacht Quimhneachain Na Gael", Irish famine memorial located in Penn's Landing.

Philadelphia has a historical Irish American population.

Philadelphia has the second largest Irish American population in the country, and is the largest ethnic group in the city, making up 14.2% of the population.[1]

Irish had lived in Philadelphia since the pre-American Revolution period. Irishmen had participated in pro-Revolutionary activities in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War.[2]

Philadelphia's Saint Patrick's Day parade is the second oldest in the United States.[3]

The first major influx of Irish came in 1844 from rural areas, spurred by the Irish Famine. Philadelphia at the time had a need for industrial labor,[4] and at the time Philadelphia was becoming a major industrial center in the United States.[5] Irish took industrial positions. Nativist groups opposed the influx of the Irish. The Irish gained financial and social status in the 19th Century and founded institutions during the period. Irish institutions included hospitals, associations, and schools.[4]

Institutions

The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick was founded in 1771.[4]

Several associations were formed in the 19th Century. The first mutual aid groups to support individual counties were those for County Donegal and County Mayo, and others were subsequently formed. The Total Abstinence Brotherhood was founded to promote Catholic-based morality and an abstinence from alcohol. The Clan na Gael and the Fenian Brotherhood were formed to support Ireland-based nationalist groups.[4] Some groups had Philadelphia-based chapters with their own meeting halls. They included the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, The Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, and the Irish League.[6]

During the 20th Century the Irish Center/Commodore Barry Club and the Irish American Club raised funds for Irish-related causes through meetings.[7]

Media

18 Irish newspapers had been established since the 1800s. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia newspaper, the Catholic Standard and Times, has covered news related to Irish affairs. It was founded in 1866.[7]

Irish radio broadcasts appeared during the 20th Century. From March 17, 1926 the Irish Hour by Patrick Stanton operated over the radio airwaves, playing Irish music and news broadcasts. Stanton later acquired WJMJ, which played Irish music.[7]

Education

In Philadelphia, the Irish founded La Salle University, Saint Joseph's University, and Villanova University.[4]

Crime

The K&A Gang is of Irish origins.

Irish neighborhoods

Notable individuals

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Trulia (15 March 2013). "America's Most Irish Towns". Forbes. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Clark, p. 9.
  3. ↑ "Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day Parade". The St. Patrick's Day Observance Association. Retrieved 2006-09-23.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Poxon, p. 9.
  5. ↑ Clark, p. 31.
  6. ↑ Poxon, p. 9-10.
  7. 1 2 3 Poxon, p. 10.
  8. ↑ Clark, p. 11.

References

Further reading

External links

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