The Hibernian Independent

Read The Hibernian Independent to keep up with popular topics and current controversies in Portland, Ireland and Irish America. 

Hail to the Chief
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Hail to the Chief

PDX Hibernian Independent for September 10, 2026 Trump lands in Dublin Saturday. The Irish Open. Next Meeting of the PHS. Katie Taylor’s triumph. More local Irish music. Intrepid Irish workers. Irish theater tour. GAA for kids.

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  Don’t forget to remember
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Don’t forget to remember

It may have happened here just over a hundred years ago, but the KKK takeover of Oregon politics has become a hot topic. Steve Law resurrects the reign of the KKK in his new book Peddlers of Hate. He’ll be reading from it at the Sept. 17 meetng of the Portland HIbernian Society at Kells Restaurant on SW 2nd Ave.

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Hundreds hear how the Klan targeted Oregon Catholics
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Hundreds hear how the Klan targeted Oregon Catholics

At Powell’s Books on Burnside last night (Aug. 26), the HOT TOPIC was more than a hundred years old. More than 250 people, intrigued by how a domestic terrorist organization once dominated politics in Oregon, especially in Portland, showed up to hear Steve Law, author of Peddlers of Hate: How the Ku Klux Klan Seized Power in 1920’s Oregon.

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Get out the fleece. PHS Fall Season is coming 
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Get out the fleece. PHS Fall Season is coming 

You can find THE PORTLAND HIBERNIAN Society meeting schedule for Fall 2026 right here in the latest issue of the PDX Hibernian Independent. Featured speakers include Steve Law, actor of Peddlers of Hate - How the KKK seized power in 192os Oregon.

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The Irish Picnic is part of our history here
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

The Irish Picnic is part of our history here

In the latest issue of th PDX Hibernian Independent, another look at the long-running tradition of the Irish Picnic. The Irish of Portland started these Summer celebrations more than 150 years ago. And haven’t stopped.

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PDX HI 6 Aug 26
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

PDX HI 6 Aug 26

Dancing in the streets of Belfast. It’s the largest Traditional Irish Music Festival in the world. And it’s happening Aug. 2 to 9. This is the first time it’s being held in the NI capitol. Read all about it in the Aug. 6 edition of the PDX Hibernian Independent.

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Why all of Ireland is mourning Glen Hansard
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Why all of Ireland is mourning Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard was among Ireland’s greatest singer/songwriters. But he was more than that. Which is why his death early Wednesday morning had such an impact. Tributes were many and touching and came from all corners of society and across the globe. Read the coverage in the PDX HI.

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Irish Picnic was once an ethnic slur
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Irish Picnic was once an ethnic slur

There once was a silent movie called The Murphys and The Callahans that was so offensive to Irish Americans that their protests forced the studio to pull it from movie houses nationwide, including the Hollywood Theater. That may be the origin of using Irish Picnic as a slur to describe a brawl and defame the Irish race. Read about it in the latest PDX Hibernian Independent.

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Too much Messi. England defeated by constant rival.
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Too much Messi. England defeated by constant rival.

Not this year. England saw its hopes for a second World Cup title destroyed by a persistent Argentine scoring attack. What next after Sunday’s final? Who to root for! These and more stories in the PDX Hibernian Independent, newsletter of the Portland Hibernian Society.

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Know nothings never go away. Continued.
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

Know nothings never go away. Continued.

The PDX Hibernian Independent for July 9, 2026 previews a new book about the takeover of Oregon politics by white supremacists in 1922. ALSO: Three Irish events coming this month locally. FOCUS: Shannon Airport, the Irish Open, Aviation Gin.

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How the Irish fought for the cause of Independence
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

How the Irish fought for the cause of Independence

Happy 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence from Britain. We hear a lot about the Irishmen among the signers of the founding documents. But what about the Irishmen who fought on the ground? There were a lot more than you would guess. Read about their contribution to your independence in the PDX Hibernian Independent.

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First ever Sister City in Ireland for Oregon
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

First ever Sister City in Ireland for Oregon

Bandon, Oregon and Bandon, Ireland are officially sister cities. It happened a couple of years ago but just now we’re getting details of what that means. This week’s PDX HI has the latest and a promise of continuing coverage.

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PDX Hibernian Independent for June 11, 2026
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

PDX Hibernian Independent for June 11, 2026

In this week’s edition of the PDX Hibernian Independent: Portland Irish dance legend passes. Back to Belfast and rioting for Michelle O’Neill. When was the last time either team from the island of Ireland made the World Cup? Don’t forget Bloomsday.

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Molly Bloom’s June swoon
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

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
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

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
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

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
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

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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In search of the Celtic Cross in Times Square
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

In search of the Celtic Cross in Times Square

This week’s PDX Hibernian Independent is on the road to New York City to take a look at one of the few Celtic Crosses in America. This is NOT a Celtic High Cross. Its something else.

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May events for Irish people in Greater Portland
Bill Gallagher Bill Gallagher

May events for Irish people in Greater Portland

The month of May means many opportunities for Irish people in Greater Portland to come out and share your Irishness. There’s the monthly PHS meeting May 21. The Consul General’s in town May 14. And don’t miss Sean Nos Northwest where, among other things, dancers will take to the top of a barrel at Kells in Downtown Portland to show some steps.

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