City Council Celebrates Irish-American Heritage Month

When Irish immigrants first arrived in Boston during the Great Famine (An Gorta Mor) in the 1840s, they were not welcomed and faced many struggles, including poverty, prejudice, and discrimination in jobs and housing. In spite of the hardship and challenges, they worked hard at often unsafe and dangerous jobs.



As the Irish population expanded and new generations were born, Irish Americans entered into the workforce and helped build the social, economic and industrial engine of America. Many became labor leaders, teachers, firefighters, police officers, construction workers and business owners. They contributed significantly to the American Labor movement, advocating for safe working conditions, fighting against racial discrimination and income inequality.



Today, Irish Americans continue to contribute to the City of Boston and the United States in business, government, politics, religion, the U.S. military, building trades, and organized labor. They also contribute immensely to our arts and culture, as well as sports. Many of America’s Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning poets and authors, award-winning musicians, actors, and athletes are Irish Americans.



During this month, the Council celebrates and honors the remarkable achievements and contributions of Irish Americans in the City of Boston. You can watch the Irish Step Dance performance online.