Irish America – A Historical Overview

Facilitator: Ray Esten Egan. B. A. History and Religion. H. Dip in Education. MA. Irish Political History

This 12 week course aims to offer students an overview and understanding of Irish America. The timeline, the

early nineteenth to the late-twentieth century, contains many of the critical events which fashioned

our perceptions of Irish America. The course links these events to the people, sports stars, factory

workers, criminals, politicians and labour leaders, who built the Irish American legacy. Particular

themes covered in the course include, anti-immigration and anti-Catholic sentiments in urban

America (1840s). The Irish in the Confederate and Union Army (1860s). Prohibition and the Irish

American criminal (1920s). The Irish American as a powerful political force in the twentieth century.

Closing with Chicago’s Democratic machine and its controversial Mayor Richard J. Daley (1955-1975).

The course is aimed at those with an interest in history and is open to all. It is delivered in a friendly

environment in which all participants can engage openly. By the end of the course participants will

be inspired to think critically about historical events whilst identifying comparisons within modern

society.