Tracing Irish Roots in Northern Rhode Island (1844–1879) ☘️
The Museum of Newport Irish History presents the final talk of its 23rd Annual Lecture Series, featuring guest speaker Raymond J. McKenna. This lecture will explore the Irish immigrant experience in northern Rhode Island, drawing from Old Stone Bank records and historical archives that trace over 22,000 individuals with Irish birthplaces.
📍 Location: Wyndham Newport Hotel (In-person & Zoom Live Stream)
📅 Date: March 19, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
🎟 Price:
- $5 per person (cash or check at the door) for in-person attendees
- Free for Museum members who join to attend
- Free via Zoom (registration required)
🍀 Event Details:
- Light hors d’oeuvres & cash bar available before the talk.
- Q&A session to follow the lecture.
- Sponsored by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Newport.
📖 Lecture Overview:
Raymond J. McKenna will discuss Irish migration patterns to Rhode Island, revealing insights from detailed banking and census records, including:
📜 Migration Routes – From Ireland to England/Scotland and eventually to Rhode Island.
🏭 Occupations – The roles of factory workers, domestic servants, and farmers in shaping Rhode Island’s workforce.
⚔️ Civil War Involvement – Irish contributions and personal stories from wartime records.
⛏️ Gold Rush Connections – Stories of Irish immigrants who traveled West seeking gold, some returning to Rhode Island with gold nuggets.
📊 Shifts in Irish Immigration – How early migration from Ulster transitioned to later waves from the Midlands, West, and South of Ireland.
This historical deep dive offers a unique look into the lives, struggles, and successes of Irish immigrants in Rhode Island.
🔗 Reservations Required for both in-person and virtual participation.
