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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What just happened in Ireland and New York City
What just happened in Ireland and New York City

On October 24 voters in Ireland elected a socialist as President. On November 4 New York City voters elected a socialist as Mayor. Both candidates won in a landslide. Though the voter turn out in Ireland was low, New York voters turned out in historic numbers. Is history being made in Ireland and New York City?

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In Ireland, the dead are not dead
In Ireland, the dead are not dead

The Cross of The Scriptures at Mount Calvary Cemetery on Oct. 25, 2025 as days get shorter and memories get longer. "In Ireland, the dead are not dead. They are always around, whispering in our ears." Anonymous

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Your guide to Ireland’s Presidential Election - Fri. Oct 24
Your guide to Ireland’s Presidential Election - Fri. Oct 24

Who will be the woman elected tenth President of Ireland to replace Michael D. Higgins. Full coverage of the 24 Oct. election in Ireland.

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Share some tips for tourists to Ireland on 16 Oct.
Share some tips for tourists to Ireland on 16 Oct.

At the monthly session of the Portland Hibernian Society on 16 Oct. 2025 one of the topics for robust discussion will be traveling in Ireland. Been there? Done that?

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From the Portland Hibernian Society Blog:

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The monsignor forgotten by history
The monsignor forgotten by history

The amazing story of Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty’s work to save more than 6,000 Jews, POWs and partisans in Italy in 1943 is being told again. But for too long it’s been untold, say some.

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An Irish mayor for all New Yorkers
An Irish mayor for all New Yorkers

The last native Irishman elected Mayor of New York was William O’Dwyer. After a first term from 1945 to 1949, he was reelected in a landslide only to leave office in 1951 as a criminal corruption investigation reached Gracie Mansion. He was never charged. Questions persist.

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The price of a pint
The price of a pint

The pint of Guinness. What could be more Irish than this one at Ted’s in Cashel, Co. Mayo? The maker of the best selling stout in the world is the subject of a Netflix series and plans to open a “brewery experience” in London in December. For Guinness, business has never been better. But they better not raise the price of a pint in Ireland.

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Portland’s Irish Potato Famine Memorial

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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.