Irish Trailblazers in the American Revolution
General John Stark Statue at New Hampshire State Capital Building in Concord
The Irish and Scots-Irish played key roles on the battlefields and high seas during the American Revolution. Historic figures such as Commodore John Barry, General John Sullivan, matross Margaret Cochrane Corbin, spy Hercules Mulligan, Governor George Clinton, Colonel Henry Knox and aide-de-camp Stephen Moylan helped to win the war with their valor and devotion to liberty.
Additionally, nine Irish-Americans signed the Declaration of Independence, three born in Ireland and six more of Irish or Scots-Irish descent, among them Charles Carroll of Maryland. Countless Irish-America farmers, tradesmen, laborers, printers, writers, artists, wives, daughters and nurses also contributed to the war effort.
Last summer we launched the Revolutionary Irish Trail, a national project to chronicle the various Irish and Scots-Irish contributions to the America Revolution. Our goal is to identify Revolutionary War landmarks with strong Irish and Scots-Irish connections in the original 13 colonies and beyond, as a way of telling the illustrious story of these eighteenth century immigrants and their families who helped create a nation. The Trail will be easily accessible to local residents, school groups and tourists visiting from around the world.
We are putting together a digital and printed map, along with a booklet to describe 100+ public monuments and statues, historic homes and museums, battlefields and cemeteries and national parks and local parks pertaining to the Irish in the American Revolution. In addition, the content will include landmarks in Canada and Ireland that commemorate Irish-born heroes such as Richard Montgomery from Dublin and John Barry from Wexford.
The Revolutionary Irish Trail project aligns with America 250, a national initiative based in Washington DC, whose mission is “to engage every American in commemorating the the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our country….to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.”
The great migration from the island of Ireland to the American colonies is a fascinating story in its own right, documented by leading historians such as David Doyle, Kirby Miller, Thomas Fleming, Richard Bell and others. Forced out of Ireland by cruel governance, economic hardship, war and famine, the Irish and Scots-Irish typically emigrated to early America as indentured servants, sailors, artisans or modest merchants. They arrived here as individuals, families and even entire religious congregations.
Their reception in the British colonies was mixed. For example, eighteenth century New England reluctantly allowed Scots-Irish Presbyterians to settle in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, but not Catholics, while places like Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Maryland were more tolerant and welcomed everyone.
In addition to working with America 250, we are engaging with national, state and local destinations, historians and authors, Native American and Blacks, ethnic Americans in French and Polish communities, women’s organizations, civic associations, religious denominations and military branches.
We hope the Revolutionary Irish Trail can serve as an accessible and engaging resource for educators, visitors and local residents interested in American and Irish-American history.
We welcome your feedback, ideas and participation in the coming months.
To learn more about the Revolutionary Irish Trail initiative or to send suggestions, please contact us at irishmassachusetts@comcast.net.
Research + Text, Michael Quinlin
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