The First Wave
They were the first large wave of immigrants to arrive to our shores in 19th century America, and like all new comers to our Nation, they struggled, failed often and succeeded greatly and eventually they prospered. If in Ireland they had been victims of history, in America, they would become makers of history. However, this not a chronicle of great deeds and heroic accomplishments of a vanished people. It is my hope that I have written the story of a living history that unfolds and develops before us at this very moment.
Nor has this been an easy history write. The Irish are a unique people. They are defined by their contradictions and unpredictability. They were, are now, and hopefully always will be, a race of sinners and saints, welcomed the world over for their piety, warmth and good nature and made exiles from their own land for those very traits. In keeping with that proud tradition, this work is all encompassing. It includes the best and worst of the Celtic people in America. To have offered anything less would be an insult to the race. If you understand that, you are Irish at heart. If you don't, there are simply no words to explain it to you.
This is also an American tale. A history of people defined by a new nation and a new nation defined by an ancient people. It is, as the historian Oscar Handlin wrote "Once I thought to write the history of the immigrants to America...and then I discovered that the immigrants were the history of America"
It has been written that the Irish in America are now indistinguishable from any other American. It's actually the revise, America is now indistinguishable Irish.
"Tell me of America," an Irish Mother wrote to her son. "America? " replied the son. "Its filled with great hope and glory, with terrible tragedy and sadness and endless potential. It's much like us, its very Irish"