Portland, Oregon’s connection to Ireland and Irish America

The Portland Hibernian Society exists for anyone who wants to get together with like-minded people to learn more about Ireland - its history, its culture, its people, its politics. We gather on the Third Thursday of the month (Sept. through July) at Kells Restaurant (112 SW Second Ave Portland). You never know what we’ll be getting up to. The PHS also publishes a newsletter The PDX Hibernian Independent.

From The Hibernian Independent:

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It’s beginning to look like St. Patrick’s Day
It’s beginning to look like St. Patrick’s Day

All things Irish. Long lasting items Made in Ireland - crystal, lace, china, pottery, caps - will be the focus at the PHS meeting Thursday Feb. 9 at Kells Restaurant at Six P.M.

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Is Seamus Culleton of Kilkenny “the worst of the worst”?
Is Seamus Culleton of Kilkenny “the worst of the worst”?

Seamus Culleton of Co. Kilkenny came to America 20 years ago and overstayed his visa. Since then he’s married an American woman and applied for citizenship. Culleton has no criminal record. Picked up by ICE after a visit to Home Depot, he’s been in custody for five months. Read his story in the latest issue of the PDX Hibernian Independent.

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From local Irish happenings to News From Ireland
From local Irish happenings to News From Ireland

Get caught up on Irish events in Greater Portland and News From Ireland in the PDX Hibernian Independent.

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Saint Brigid - Print the legend
Saint Brigid - Print the legend

February 1 is Saint Brigid’s Day (Lá Fhéile Bríde) and the PDX HI has all sorts of stories about who Ireland’s first native Saint really was. What about the Celtic goddess Brigit? It’s her day too.

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From the Portland Hibernian Society Blog:

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Hibernian Banquet 411
Hibernian Banquet 411

When the bagpipes play it’s time to eat at the annual Hibernian Saint Patrick’s Day Banquet on March 7, 2026. Have you signed up? It might not be too late. Find all the details of the evening here.

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NW Portland “splendid edifice” turns 100
NW Portland “splendid edifice” turns 100

The centennial year of Saint Mary’s Cathedral in NW Portland began on Feb. 14, 2026 with a special Mass. One hundred years ago on that date thousands turned out to celebrate the “splendid edifice” that was the new epicenter of Catholic life in Greater Portland. Read what that occasion says about the persistence of the Catholic Church in Oregon.

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Darby O’Gill and the Little People. A first look after all these years
Darby O’Gill and the Little People. A first look after all these years

Sean Connery doesn’t even try to fake an Irish accent in Darby O’Gill and the Little People, a Disney movie most likely to be seen in March. Filmed in Burbank with mostly non-Irish actors, it’s kind of delightful. Especially if you’ve never seen it.

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Portland’s Irish Potato Famine Memorial

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The brilliant career of Mary McAleese
The brilliant career of Mary McAleese

Mary McAleese (L), the eighth President of Ireland (1997 - 2011) came to Portland seventeen years ago to dedicate the Celtic Cross at the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial. Find out more about who she is and what she’s doing today.

Build the Nation: A Blessing
Build the Nation: A Blessing

by Father Jim Galluzzo. Delivered at the fifteenth anniversary of the dedication of the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial - 13 December 2023 - Mount Calvary Cemetery Portland Oregon.

Oregon Potato Famine Memorial 15th Anniversary
Oregon Potato Famine Memorial 15th Anniversary

In the summer of 2023, the newly appointed Consul General of Ireland on the West Coast, Micheal Smith, came to Portland to visit the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial. Here’s the presentation given to familiarize Smith with its back story and the accomplishment this Memorial represents for local members of the Irish Diaspora.