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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What to make of the Seamus Culleton case
What to make of the Seamus Culleton case

The narrative in the case of Seamus Culleton shiftED this week when it emerged that the Kilkenny man picked up by ICE in Massachusetts for overstaying his visa has some unfinished business in the court system in Ireland. FIVE TAKEAWAYS.

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Giving up
Giving up

Has anyone asked you what you’re giving up for Lent this year? Social media seems to be the popular choice these days. Chocolate and alcohol were once the people’s choice. Making small sacrifices for Lent used to be mostly a Catholic practice. Not any longer.

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Abe and Paddy
Abe and Paddy

Abe Lincoln surrounded himself with Irish aides in the White House. They were called his “mick clique.” Despite his affection for the Irish, they never voted for him in great numbers. But they fought his war.

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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.