Reveals a number of significant and interesting insights into Irish immigrant history in America

Outlines of a Gaelic public sphere -- Inserting the Gaelic in the public sphere -- Irish Philadelphia in and out of the Gaelic sphere -- Transatlantic origins of the Irish American Voluntary Association -- A microanalysis of Irish American civic life : Ireland's Donegal and Cavan emerge in Philadelphia -- The forging of a collective consciousness : militant Irish nationalism and civic life in Gaelic Philadelphia -- Sport, culture and nation amont the Irish of Philadelphia -- A Gaelic public sphere : its rise and fall.

Philadelphia has been a magnet for the Irish since the 17th century. The Irish distinguished themselves in the Revolutionary War with dozens of heroes, such as Wexford-born sailor Commodore John Barry. When refugees from Ireland s Great Famine poured into Philadelphia after 1845, the city changed forever. The famine generation of Irish immigrants used their religious and cultural traditions to promote their own advancement by constructing a network of schools, Catholic churches, fraternal clubs, and cultural organizations. In Irish Philadelphia, images of their accomplishments and advancements are featured along with vibrant, personal stories of Irish residents. Prominent Irish Philadelphians highlighted include Bishop Francis Kenrick, Martin Maloney, Joseph McGarrity, Henry McIlhenny, Grace Kelly, Jack Kelly, Patrick Stanton, John McShain, and Fr. John McNamee."

Philadelphia has been a magnet for the Irish since the 17th century. The Irish distinguished themselves in the Revolutionary War with dozens of heroes, such as Wexford-born sailor Commodore John Barry. When refugees from Ireland's Great Famine poured into Philadelphia after 1845, the city changed forever. The famine generation of Irish immigrants used their religious and cultural traditions to promote their own advancement by constructing a network of schools, Catholic churches, fraternal clubs, and cultural organizations. In Irish Philadelphia, images of their accomplishments and advancements are featured along with vibrant, personal stories of Irish residents. Prominent Irish Philadelphians highlighted include Bishop Francis Kenrick, Martin Maloney, Joseph McGarrity, Henry McIlhenny, Grace Kelly, Jack Kelly, Patrick Stanton, John McShain, and Fr. John McNamee.

Follows the Irish from their first arrival in the American colonies through the bleak days of the potato famine, the decades of ethnic prejudice and nativist discrimination, the rise of Irish political power, and on to the historic moment when John F. Kennedy was elected to the highest office in the land.