The Wild West represented adventure, hard work, and new beginnings for its settlers, and none more than the Irish. Fleeing famine, poverty, and political unrest in their own country, these men and women set out for America. Those who braved the western frontier met the hard life they found with faith and grit.
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| Memorial to Irish immigrants in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Designed by Lou Quaintance it includes two large stones from County Donegal, Ireland. Commissioned by the St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities. Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
Why The Irish Came to America
In the 1800s, Ireland faced serious challenges. The Great Famine (1845–1852) left millions struggling to survive, and many Irish families decided they had no choice but to leave their homeland. America, the land of opportunity, shone as a beacon of hope. While most Irish immigrants initially settled in bustling cities like New York or Boston, the Wild West eventually called to those hoping for a fresh start. The Homestead Act of 1862, which offered free land to settlers, was a major draw, and the expanding Transcontinental Railroad opened up even more possibilities for work and settlement.
Building the West: The Railroad and the Irish
One
of the most significant ways Irish immigrants shaped the Wild West was through
their work on the Transcontinental Railroad. Thousands of Irish workers, many
of them veterans of the Civil War, laid the railroad tracks that would connect
the East to the West. They faced brutal conditions—dangerous terrain, harsh
weather, and the constant risk of accidents. Still, the Irish kept going. They
gave their their blood, sweat, and sometimes even their lives to help
accomplish one of the most important achievements in American history.
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| East and West Shaking hands at the laying of last rail Union Pacific Railroad - Restoration.jpg The ceremony for the driving of the golden spike; Public Domain Image |
A Strong Community Built on Faith
While
Irish immigrants were known for their hard work, they also possessed a strong
sense of faith and community. The faith they brought with them from Ireland provided
strength as they took on the challenges of the West. The churches they built
served as places of worship, and also as gathering places.
Church services, prayer
meetings, and Bible studies kept them grounded. Though life on the frontier
could be hard and lonely, the Irish found solace in the belief that God cared
for them, despite the hardships they endured. This strong Christian foundation gave
them the resilience to build better lives for themselves and their families.
Leaving a Legacy. Despite Adversity
The
Irish Americans left a legacy far beyond their contributions to the railroad. They
also played a crucial role in shaping the culture of the time. Their faith,
determination, and hard work helped lay the foundation for communities that sprang
up across the West.
Sadly, many Irish workers faced prejudice and discrimination, despite their hard work and contributions. For example, when Irish immigrants first arrived in large numbers in the United States, they were often looked down on by established groups, including Anglo-Americans and other European immigrants. Many saw them as inferior due to their Catholic faith, heavy accents, and unfamiliar customs. This prejudice was especially apparent in the workforce, where Irish workers were frequently given the most dangerous and backbreaking jobs, such as those in the railroad construction or mining industries.
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| Anti-Irish political cartoon titled "The Usual Irish Way of Doing Things" by Thomas Nast (1840–1902), published in Harper's Weekly on September 2, 1871. Public Domain Image. |
The site of Duffy’s Cut in Pennsylvania is one such reminder of the sacrifices made by Irish railroad workers. The graves of 57 Irish laborers who died in 1832 still stand as a tribute to their efforts, ensuring their stories aren’t forgotten.
Irish
laborers often encountered prejudice and were labeled “drunken” or “unskilled.”
They received lower wages than their counterparts, and endured harsher working
conditions. Some employers considered the Irish disposable, with accidents or
deaths on the job dismissed or ignored.
Irish immigrants also faced
discrimination in the very towns and cities they helped to build. In some areas
of the western frontier, Irish families struggled to gain access to political
power or land ownership. They often found themselves marginalized and excluded
from higher social circles.
In New York City, Irish Americans
became targets of riots and public protests. They received the blame for social
problems such as rising crime rates, poverty, and labor unrest. The hostility
this caused became so intense in some parts of the country that the Irish found
themselves excluded from certain jobs or organizations, further limiting their
opportunities.
Irish immigrants pushed through discrimination by forming tight-knit
communities, supporting each other through mutual aid societies, and staying
strong in their faith. Their ability to withstand prejudice while building
successful lives in the face of adversity speaks volumes about their strength
and determination.
Final Thoughts from Janalyn Voigt
The
Irish who came to the American West overcame immense challenges through
courage, faith, and a deep commitment to their families and communities. Their
story is one of sacrifice, hope, and commitment to building a better life—a theme
that resonates deeply today. Their faith, resilience, and contributions remain
woven into the very fabric of the American frontier. And their legacy, built on
faith and community, continues to inspire us all.
Do you know
of any true stories about the Irish in the Wild West? What are your thoughts about
what they went through and how they survived it?
About Janalyn Voigt
Thank you for posting today. I'm not sure I've read any true accounts, and I'm not sure any of the fictionalized ones deal specifically with their Western adventures. I think they were a resilient people who relied on their faith and were willing to do whatever hard work was necessary to achieve their goals, whether landing in a new country or moving beyond established borders to seek new land and opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post. My ancestors are Scot-Irish and came to this country to farm. Southern Illinois has a lot of Irish. I find it sad that each new people group who immigrate to America are considered inferior people, even today. Thanks for sharing.
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