1917: The American Invasion of Ireland

09/22/24 • 61 min

Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast

In 1917, the USA entered the First World War. Some of the first Americans to arrive in Europe were stationed in Ireland. However, this did not go entirely to plan. While Irish American sailors based in Cork were excited to see the land of their forefathers for the first time, many in Ireland were less than enthused. The island was hurtling towards a revolution and the War of Independence. Irish republicans viewed the Americans as coming to aid Britain in what was becoming a deeply unpopular war. This led to clashes between Irish revolutionaries and US Navy personnel. Beyond these political tensions, relationships between Irish women and American sailors also caused resentment and tension.

In this episode, Damian and Fin explore this forgotten story from World War I. We reveal the violence that erupted around the war and also look at the lives of Irish war brides—women who married sailors and emigrated to the USA, where life could be challenging and difficult.

Episode 4 looks at the Forgotten Generations - The Irish who emigrated before the Great Hunger of the 1840s. Subscribe to Transatlantic here and get that episode when it drops.

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Episode 4 looks at the Forgotten Generations - The Irish who emigrated before the Great Hunger of the 1840s. Subscribe to Transatlantic here and get that episode when it drops.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Irish Witch of Boston: The Prelude to Salem

Ann Glover was a poor Irish woman who lived in late 17th century Boston. Although she is a largely forgotten figure, she played a significant role in the famous Salem witchcraft trials. In 1688, Ann was accused of being a witch. Her trial and execution would shape the harrowing events that played out in nearby Salem just a few years later.

In this episode, Fin and Damian explore Ann's life, what we know about her, and why we should remember her story.

Subscribe to Transatlantic - An Irish American History Podcast: https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Pioneers of Irish America: Irish Emigration before the Great Famine

The stereotypical Irish emigrant is often seen as a famine exile from the west of Ireland. However, in the decades before the Great Hunger of the 1840s, over one million Irish people had already crossed the Atlantic. These early 19th-century emigrants, who laid the foundations of modern Irish American communities, differed significantly from the common stereotypes. In this episode, Fin and Damian delve into the stories of this forgotten generation, exploring their motivations, experiences, and lasting impact.

Teaser for Next Episode: In the next episode, we will explore the Irish involvement in the violent tensions that led to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Subscribe to the show https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.