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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Irish Picnic was once an ethnic slur
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.
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.
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
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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From the Portland Hibernian Society Blog:

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Liam Neeson and The Lost Children of Tuam
Liam Neeson and The Lost Children of Tuam

At the Galway Film Fleadh (Festival) last week, audiences got their first look at the movie Liam Neeson co-produced called The Lost Children of Tuam. Nearly 800 children died at an Irish home for unwed mothers between 1926 and 1961. Local researcher Catherine Corless found records showing that just two of those children received a proper burial. Hundreds of others were disposed of around the property of the home. Neeson’s interest was sparked by a newspaper story in America.

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Another PDX pub bites the dust. But was it Irish?
Another PDX pub bites the dust. But was it Irish?

An ‘Old Portland’ hangout well known to Goose Hollow residents is no longer in business. Apparently. News of the demise of the Leaky Roof on SW Jefferson came as a surprise to a former owner who’s a Portland Hibernian. Mike Heffernan was also surprised it was called an “IRISH gastropub.”

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The Twelfth forever
The Twelfth forever

It’s the Twelfth of July. There’s more than marching to the days-long Protestant celebration of a military victory 336 years ago in the north of Ireland. Bonfires are also a big part of the festivities. Even when they feature effigies of refugees and a model of a mosque.

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Portland’s Irish Potato Famine Memorial

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The brilliant career of Mary McAleese
The brilliant career of Mary McAleese

Mary McAleese (L), the eighth President of Ireland (1997 - 2011) came to Portland seventeen years ago to dedicate the Celtic Cross at the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial. Find out more about who she is and what she’s doing today.

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.