Institutions

From The Peopling of New York City: Irish Communities

Like all immigrant groups who come to America, The Irish have brought their own unique customs and way of life. Over time they have adapted them to American society, and end up changing both their own culture, and America's as a whole. While Irish heritage can be seen in almost all facets of American culture, it is most famously evident in how they have influenced recreation in this country. While over the years many forms of this influence have come and gone, its impact on the city, and the country, are widely apparent today.

Athletic Clubs

Beginning as early as the mid 19th century, many Irish immigrants organized Irish American athletic centers in their neighborhoods, which worked wonders in bringing communities together, and the integration of Irish youths. Bringing with them new sports like handball and gaelic football, many of these clubs became widely famous for their standards for excellence, and their contributions to their communities. Many of these athletic centers gained national fame at the turn of the century, with the introduction of the Olympic games. New York City's own Irish American Athletic Club, which began as an amateur club, gained world renown when its athletes claimed 10 of the 23 total US Gold medals in the 1908 Olympics, more than Germany, France, and Italy combined. A small group of New York Irish athletes got the nickname "The Irish Whales" for their huge size and strength, dominating the Olympic weight-throwing events for the first two decades of the 20th century. Due in large part to assimilation and general decay, many of these athletic centers (the IAAC included) either closed their doors or combined with other larger athletic associations like the Amateur Athletic Union. But, 100 years after their olympic achievements, the Winged Fist Organization was founded to preserve the history of the IAAC for future generations. Couple this with the numerous teams bearing Irish influence (the Celtics, the Fighting Irish, etc.) the mark left by the Irish community on our athletic culture is quite pronounced.

Pubs

John Mulligan's Pub. Located on Katonah Avenue, Woodlawn

While a common stereotype, it is undeniable that drinking and pub culture is very much a part of the Irish recreational way of life, and one which has thrived in this country. It is difficult to walk even a few blocks in certain areas of new york and not find an Irish bar, or one of their imitators, selling pints of Guinness and sporting shamrock paraphernalia. While the success of these bars is significant in itself, what is more interesting is how well it demonstrates effect of Irish immigrants on american drinking culture itself. For it is important to remember that every authentic irish pub, one can easily find several imitators which are only irish pubs in style, not ownership. And that on St. Patrick's Day in New York, while there is a celebration and parade which can draw over 2 million visitors annually, it is considered a minor holiday back on the Emerald Isle. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and America's embracement of the Irish drinking culture is evidence of just how accepted Irish culture has become in this country overall. The Irish are a people who like to have a good time, and this turns out to be a universal cultural value.

Catholicism and Churches

Throughout Irish Catholic history in American, the two greatest hindrances to joining mainstream culture were being Irish and being Catholic. This is perhaps most true in New York City where immigrants also had to deal with a distrust of the influxes of immigrants. The constant waves of Irish immigrants could not be stopped however and the Irish began to found Catholic churches and church schools in the city to support the rising Catholic population. According to the Catholic church’s registry, “New York is now the largest see in population, and the most important in influence and material prosperity of all the ecclesiastical divisions of the Church in Continental United States.” The growth and acceptance of Catholicism in New York City came as a direct result of the growth of the Irish population in the city. The church has allowed Irish Catholicism to survive in New York City and the United States as a whole and in turn Irish Catholicism has affected every aspect of Irish culture as the religion has become synonymous with the nationality. One institute that has helped to maintain Irish Catholic is St. Patrick's Cathedral

The American Irish Historical Society

The American Irish Historical Society was founding in Boston in 1897. In 1940, the headquarters were moved to New York City’s 5th avenue and they remain there today. Its mission is “to place permanently on record the story of the Irish in America from the earliest settlement to the present day, justly, impartially, fully, and sympathetically correcting neglect and misrepresentation by certain historians of the part taken in the founding, up building and safeguarding of the Nation by persons of Irish birth and descent.” Since 1897, the Society has made a noble effort to accomplish exactly what their mission statement indicates. It is a well-supported organization that has enlisted many famous Irish-Americans to its ranks, none more famous than President Theodore Roosevelt who co-founded the Society. The society was founded by fifty men but has included hundreds throughout its history. The Society publishes a journal called The Recorder and every year the Society honors an Irish American who has achieved great success. This year, a wake was held in honor of actress Natasha Richardson. In addition to its mission to rewrite Irish roles in American history in a more positive light, the society hosts social events for the city. In April and May 2009 alone the society is hosting two Julliard music concerts, a lecture discussion on Irish traders in 18th century New York City, a Frank Delaney book signing, a film screening and discussion on the life and recent death of Patrick Ireland, and a lecture on the Irish in 20th century athletics. The Society works tirelessly to bring the Irish experience to light and make known the affect Irish culture and immigrants have had on New York City and the United States. Irish Institutional Intellect and Leisure in NYC

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