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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HI - Hibernian Intelligence
HI - Hibernian Intelligence

HI - Hibernian Intelligence. Here’s the scoop on a gathering in Portland recently of some very prestigious legal minds to honor Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain. Seven years ago the judge shared with Hibernians his story of growing up the son of Irish emigrants in Queens.

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PDX Hibernian Independent 9.24.26
PDX Hibernian Independent 9.24.26

As Donald Trump criticizes Canada, our neighbor to the north looks to Europe and especially Ireland for a stronger relationship. On Oct. 15 at the PHS monthly meeting, Dan Holden will explore the long historic relationship between Ireland and Canada, Details in this week’s PDX Hibernian Independent.

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The Weekend That Was in Ireland
The Weekend That Was in Ireland

There was no shortage of hard news when President Trump got exposed to Ireland’s “soft power” this past weekend. Read abut what happened and catch up on the latest news about the Portland Hibernian Society meeting Thursday Sept. 17.

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Hail to the Chief
Hail to the Chief

PDX Hibernian Independent for September 10, 2026 Trump lands in Dublin Saturday. The Irish Open. Next Meeting of the PHS. Katie Taylor’s triumph. More local Irish music. Intrepid Irish workers. Irish theater tour. GAA for kids.

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From the Portland Hibernian Society Blog:

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Irish writers held in high regard
Irish writers held in high regard

Did you know that the Irish Naval Service names its top ships after famous Irish writers? Three of the four writers honored have won the Nobel for Literature. Resect. Speculation about who the next Irish writer to win the Nobel might be.

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When Bishop Sheen appeared in Portland. A sequel.
When Bishop Sheen appeared in Portland. A sequel.

Here’s a sequel to Sunday’s column on the Beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen. He came to Portland in June 1958 and received celebrity treatment from The Oregonian. Then there’s the issue of the famous actor who took his surname.

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Blessed Bishop Sheen the (almost)Saint 
Blessed Bishop Sheen the (almost)Saint 

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — the 20th-century theologian, evangelizer, Catholic communications pioneer, teacher and preacher — is now Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.  What a career. He counselled American Catholics on radio and then television through the Depression, World War Two, the Cold War, Vatican Two and Vietnam.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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