How the Irish fought for the cause of Independence
Comóradh 250 Bliain Shona Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá - Happy 250th Anniversary America
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT - 2 July 2026
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Weekly newsletter of the Portland Hibernian Society. Delivered every Thursday.
How the Irish made Independence happen
“The role of the Irish has often been left out of the history books.” Thousands of soldiers who sailed to America from Ireland in the 1700s joined their sons on the front lines of the Revolutionary War to free America from British rule. There’s a reason we weren’t taught that in school. Read about it here. “One half of the men who fought in George Washington’s Continental Army arrived from Derry, Belfast or Cork or was the son of one who did. America was never more Irish than in the 1770s. The victors managed to withhold credit from the Irish who made the victory possible.”
USA, Canada and Mexico - Still standing!
Team America beat Boznia and Herzegovina last night 2 – 0 in the World Cup Round of 32. Now it’s Canada’s and Mexico’s turn to advance.. The USA will play Belgium next in the Round of 8 on Monday July 6. Canada takes on Morrocco on the 4th of July.. Mexico hosts England on the 5th of July
Only one player in the World Cup was born in Ireland
Hard to believe, right? Sure, Patrick Kane, father of the hero of the England squad Harry Kane, was born in Galway. But Harry was born and bred in an East London suburb. So, who is the lone native of Ireland at World Cup? Hint. He leads his team tomorrow (Fri. July 3) against the transcendent Lionel Messi and Argentina. Best of Luck to Roberto “Pico” Lopes and the team from Cape Verde. He was born in Dundalk, Ireland in 1992 and now stars for the men’s team from the smallest nation playing in the World Cup. From the NY TImes (Paywall) - “With his distinctive Dublin accent and Cape Verdean passport, he is the reason for all the fun at Honey Fitz. an Irish joint in Astoria, Queens, where World Cup fans - Cape Verde fans in blue, Ireland fans in green - were cheering an improbable outcome.” Here’s a map of where all the players were born.
Are fewer Irish tourists coming to America?
Pól Ó Conghaile, a travel writer for the Irish Independent, is getting pushback from his kids about planning a trip to the U.S. this summer. “You’re supporting Trump,” I’m told,” he wrote. His column includes statistical indications that Brand America is a bit tarnished for Irish tourists. That concerns him. “Why quit American travel, but not Instagram or Netflix? Are we punishing Trump, or frontline hospitality staff whose jobs depend on tourism?”
Ireland steps up to European Presidency
The first time I visited Ireland in 1994, a friend of a friend who ran a music store in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, told me, “Ireland is a modern European nation.” I wasn’t sure what he meant. It’s all still a bit confusing for a non-European, but boy, it’s obvious today.. “Twenty-seven EU Commissioners will travel to Ireland to kick off the Irish EU Presidency. Traffic will be a nightmare. For six months, Ireland will be at the centre of EU decision‑making, steering complex negotiations that shape laws and policy for around 450 million people. a ceremony at Dublin Castle on 1 July.”
Bandon OR wants Bandon IRE to be its Sister City
Ike created them to undo the damage of World War Two. JFK promoted them as people-to-people diplomacy. We call them Sister Cities in America. In Ireland they’re called Twin Towns. Whatever the case, Bandon, Oregon and Bandon, Ireland might be ready to tie the knot. READ HERE How that happened and what’s next.
In case you’re keeping up with the cause
As if there’s not enough news out of Ireland to follow these days. There are major new developments in the United Ireland debate. The people who believe that the partition which separates the North and the South should end want members of the Irish diaspora to know about them. One example: The leading Unionist opponent of reunification was sent to jail last week as a convicted pedophile and rapist. Read the rest of the developments here.
