Lecture - Irish American Identity in Transition: A Tale of Two Waves of Immigration, 1880s-1920s

Please join members and friends of the Museum of Newport Irish History for the 2nd talk of its 24th Annual Lecture Series with Dr. Timothy J. Meagher, whose lecture is titled: "Irish American Identity in Transition:A Tale of Two Waves of Immigration,1880s-1920s" The lecture is made possible by a generous gift from Larry Bartley. The talk with Q&A to follow will be presented at 6:00 p.m. in-person at the Wyndham Newport Hotel and live-streamed via Zoom. -Doors open at 5:30 p.m. -Light hors d'oeuvres & cash bar available. Reservations are required for both in-person and virtual participation: - $5 per person fee to attend in person (cash or check @ door). - Those who become members to attend this talk will have the $5 lecture fee waived. - There is no fee to participate via Zoom. Copies of Dr. Meagher's book, "Becoming Irish American," will be available for sale and signing, courtesy of Charter Books. Softcover: $22.00. To RESERVE to join us In-Person or via Zoom, please click the website link. If you have questions or need reservation assistance, please contact Ann at [email protected] or phone (401) 841-5493. TALK OVERVIEW: Timothy Meagher’s most recent book, "Becoming Irish American," traces the history of Irish Americans from their roots in Ireland through the American colonial and revolutionary periods to the election of John F. Kennedy. There is much to discuss about Irish Americans across those years, but in this talk, Dr. Meagher will focus on a significant period: the forty or more years straddling the turn of the twentieth century. In that period, the children of the massive Famine migration grew to maturity. This American-born generation would become very different from their immigrant parents, but, importantly, they would also be very different from their American “native stock” neighbors — in our New England expression — the Yankees. Complicating the history of Irish America at that moment, another huge wave of immigrants came to America from Ireland in the 1880s, followed by significant, if smaller waves through the 1920s. Those Irish immigrants had their own understanding of being Irish in America. Dr. Meagher will address these changes in Irish America throughout the turn of the century era, and with the help of Professor John Quinn and the audience, discuss how these changes did or did not affect the Newport Irish. GUEST SPEAKER BIO: Timothy J. Meagher was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and his family spent many summers in Newport. He is a retired Professor of History and Director of Archives at the Catholic University of America. He received his PhD in American History from Brown University and, as a Fulbright Fellow, taught at University College Dublin and Dublin City University. He has written or co-edited five books, including recently, Becoming Irish American: The Making and Remaking of a People From Roanoke to JFK (Yale University Press, 2024). ABOUT THE MUSEUM The Museum of Newport Irish History, a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501c3 organization, was founded in 1996 and now boasts over 900 members. In addition to operating an Interpretive Center on Lower Thames Street, the organization sponsors numerous educational, cultural, social, and fundraising events throughout the year, including its popular Annual Lecture Series, now in its 24th season. The organization also restored and maintains the historic Barney Street Cemetery at the corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets, steps from Washington Square. It is the final resting place of many of Newport’s earliest Irish residents. The cemetery was established to support Rhode Island’s first Roman Catholic parish, the forerunner of the current Saint Mary’s Church at the corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard. To learn more or to join the Museum, please visit www.NewportIrishHistory.org or write us at [email protected]

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3303857-0

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