Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

'Erin's Exiled Children' display at Whitehall Library

A display narrating the Irish struggle for independence and the support given by Ireland's "exiled children in America," is now available for viewing at the Whitehall Library.

"Erin's Exiled Children: The Irish of America and the Making of Modern Ireland" was created in honor of the centennial of Ireland's Easter Rising in 1916 and documents the Irish struggle for independence and the role the Irish in America played in keeping their traditions alive.

According to Whitehall Librarian Jeannie Ferriss, the public is invited to view the exhibit that will be in the library until the last week in May when it goes on to the Missoula Public Library. A special open house reception took place May 4 for the exhibit.

UM, the Butte Silver-Bow Archives, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Friends of Irish Studies in the West, and The Gathering created the exhibit.

The exhibit has traveled around the state, including a stop at the Mansfield Library at the University of Montana.

Traolach Ó Ríordáin, director of UM's Irish Studies program, reinforces the importance of the relationship between Ireland and America.

"It was the Irish of America who synthesized cultural and political nationalism into a coherent movement that swept through Ireland from the 1890s and led to the Easter Rising and War of Independence," Ó Ríordáin said. "It was to America that the Irish nationalists came for instructions, political support and financial aid. The nationalists in Ireland and the British government realized as early as the 1880s that the fate of Ireland would be decided in America. Our exhibit is a humble attempt to draw public attention to this – to the contribution made by the Irish of this country and to the freedom and rebuilding of Ireland. We hope that it will encourage scholars and researchers to focus more of their attention on the contribution made by the Irish of America. We also hope that it inspires a younger generation to recognize and to celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before them."

This exhibit debuted at the State Capitol in April 2016 and has since traveled to Anaconda, Butte, Virginia City and UM. This story contains information from a University of Montana News Release.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/18/2024 19:55