Abilene libraries celebrate Irish heritage in March

Abilene Public Library staff
·3 min read
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March is Irish American Heritage Month.

There’s no doubt that the people of Ireland have affected the United States. According to Wikipedia, 9.7% of Americans, or roughly 32 million people, identified as Irish in the 2020 American Community Survey, a demographics survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

A companion to a PBS television series “The Irish in America” was edited by Michael Coffey and includes contributions from Pete Hamill, Frank McCourt and Peggy Noonan, among others. This lively collection of essays, illustrations and photographs is both entertaining as well as full of useful information.

“Out of Ireland: the Story of Irish Emigration to America” by Kerby A. Miller focuses on eight families to explore Irish emigration from 1841 to 1926. In addition to the forces that drove them to America, Miller touches on how they were treated once they arrived. It is a powerful look at this immigrant population.

The book" The Irish Texans" is available at the Abilene Public Library.
The book" The Irish Texans" is available at the Abilene Public Library.

John Brendan Flannery explores the Irish presence in Texas history in “The Irish Texans." He describes how the Irish left an imprint on the entire state despite early concentrations of immigrants appearing only in certain areas of Texas. “Land!: Irish Pioneers in Mexican and Revolutionary Texas” by Graham Davis is available through our Ebsco eBook Collection. Davis describes how the Irish endured the hardships of pioneer life to build communities, churches, schools and become successful ranchers.

Irish Immigrants also played a large role in the history of Texas per the Texas Almanac. This includes participation in all phases of the Texas War of Independence. Even today, cities all over Texas observe St Patrick’s Day with events displaying both Irish and Texas flair. Not surprisingly, the city of Shamrock celebrates every year (since 1938) with a chili cook-off and a Miss Irish Rose Pageant.

Our hoopla service has two audiobooks about St. Patrick the man that explores this Saint shrouded in legend. “St. Patrick of Ireland” by Philip Freeman and “St. Patrick: His Confessions and Other Works” translated by Father Neil Xavier O’Donoghue.

Of course, for many St. Patrick’s Day, is all about wearing green, chasing a leprechaun for his pot o’ gold and perhaps even feasting on corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. Budding cooks might enjoy “Cooking the Irish Way” by Helga Hughes. There is perhaps no better way to learn about a culture than through their food. “Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day” by Kathy Ross features items such as a leprechaun mask and shillelagh that even younger children can enjoy making.

Adults who appreciate their fiction with a hint of Irish might try author Leslie Meier’s “St. Patrick’s Day Murder” or the historical novel “A Tapestry of Hope” by Tracie Peterson, as well as the Molly Murphy mystery “Oh Danny Boy” by Rhys Bowen.

Come celebrate all things Irish with us here at the Abilene Public Library.

We have materials and resources related to Ireland, Irish Americans and Saint Patrick both on the shelf and through our free hoopla streaming service. So stop by one of our locations or head to www.abilenetx.gov/233/Digital-Services and point your browser to Hoopla.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene libraries celebrate Irish heritage in March