The Irish In Philadelphia: Ten Generations of Urban Experience

by Dennis Clark

Traces the history of Philadelphia's 200-year-old Irish community.

Genres: Irish Literature

264 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1974

Reviews

[Michael Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look back at the unique history of the Irish in Philadelphia. While Irish immigrants swelled the population of the cities of the Northeast during the famine years, the history of the Irish in Philadelphia goes back nearly to the beginning of the city itself, thanks to William Penn's belief in religious freedom. What also makes the Irish's situation in Philadelphia unique was the economic opportunities afforded immigrants in the 1800s, in contrast to much smaller opportunities in Boston and New York.

This book covers the anti-Irish riots of 1844, the huge influx of immigrants in the 1840s and 1860s, the separate institutions constructed in the city by the Irish (including a nearly unique parochial school system), the way the Civil War changed attitudes toward the Irish, Philadelphia's participation in "The troubles" in Ireland, among other topics.

Coming from an Irish Catholic family with roots in this city going back at least 150 years, this book was extremely interesting and informative. I highly recommend it to anyone with similar roots, or to anyone who is interested in the history of Philadelphia.