Gotta love the Irish, am I right? Irish Americans have had a huge impact on the United States, giving us St. Patty’s Day, Guinness, Halloween, and jack-o’-lanterns. On a larger societal scale, they were part of the workforce that built the U.S., were pivotal in the labor movement, and helped spread Catholicism in a land of Protestants. They were killing it in the arts and literature (here’s looking at you, F. Scott Fitzgerald) and even changed the way we travel (Henry Ford was part Irish, thank you very much). So, in celebration of their contributions, here’s a list of the best books about Irish American history.
Irish American History
Irish American history often centers around the Potato Famine of 1845–1852. This was Ireland’s great period of starvation and disease you learned about in history class. The crisis resulted in a massive wave of Irish immigration to the United States. Don’t get me wrong—the Irish had been immigrating to America since colonial times, but the 19th century saw a big influx.
But did you know that Americans weren’t happy when the Irish came to our shores? No siree. In fact, Americans had a particularly virulent strain of anti-Irish sentiment. So much so that when businesses placed help-wanted signs, they added “Irish Need Not Apply.” Damn.
Despite the discrimination, the Irish did indeed join the workforce and helped build America’s railroads and canals. Aside from manual laborers, there were “Irish Bridgets,” domestic servant girls in 19th-century American homes.
In addition to immigration and the workforce, these books cover the Irish in the Civil War, Irish gangsters, and America’s most famous Irish family, the Kennedys. You’ll also read about the making of Irish American identity.
Memoirs and Nonfiction
Irish American history wouldn’t be complete without hearing from the Irish themselves. These memoirs tackle immigration to the United States and the unique experience of being Irish in America.
Irish American Fiction
While history books are my jam, I like to throw a bit of fiction into the mix. Fiction transports us to another time and place, allowing us to experience the past through storytelling. It weaves truth into a fictive tale that captures our hearts and minds. I hope you enjoy the following books, which tell stories about emigrating to America and being Irish American.
For more book lists about groups in American History, see:
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