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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Molly Bloom’s June swoon
Molly Bloom’s June swoon

This week’s PDX Hibernian Independent features the long-forgotten story of how the political reign of the Ku Klux Klan came crashing down in Oregon. Klan-connected Multnomah County Commissioners got caught trying to cash in. PLUS Bloomsday is coming to Kells Restaurant.

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From James Joyce to Maeve Binchy
From James Joyce to Maeve Binchy

Believe it or not, there is a theater production based on the novel Ulysses FOR KIDS eight and older. It’s called You’ll See…Read about it in this week’s PDX Hibernian Independent.

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JFK PDX
JFK PDX

This week’s PDX Hibernian Independent previews the May 21 presentation by Hibernian Pat Casey on the visit JFK made to Ireland inJune 1963. Also: JFK’s Oregon campaign. President Catherine Connolly in England. A noteworthy local public house. Kenmare crime spree by Gresham man. Pierce Brosnan had an idea for a movie. News of a real sequel to The Snapper.

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Next Gen Kennedy to Congress? Consul General event
Next Gen Kennedy to Congress? Consul General event

Details on a going away event for Consul General Micheal Smith. News from Ireland and New York. The latest Kennedy with sights set on a seat in Congress - Jack Schlossberg, son of Caroline - is ahead in the polls. For now. In the PDX Hibernian Independent.

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From the Portland Hibernian Society Blog:

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Maureen Flavin- little-known D-Day hero from North Kerry
Maureen Flavin- little-known D-Day hero from North Kerry

There’s a story behind the story told in the new movie about D Day called Pressure. Back in December of 2024, Hibernian Ed Curtin published that story about how a 21-year-old Irishwoman,Maureen Flavin, may have saved the day on our website in December 2024. Here it is with an update. 

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The Burnside Bridge and the kollapse of the KKK in Oregon
The Burnside Bridge and the kollapse of the KKK in Oregon

WHAT DID THE BURNSIDE BRIDGE HAVE TO DO WITH THE KOLLAPSE OF THE KU KLUX KLAN IN OREGON A CENTURY AGO? A LOT. 

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Meet Michelle O’Neill
Meet Michelle O’Neill

Here’s a chance to hear from the First Minister of Northern Ireland, who also happens to be the Vice President of Sinn Fein. That a Catholic advocate of a United Ireland has risen to the top of the NI government is historic. Read more on her background and find out about her upcoming west coast appearance.

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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.