The Irish in California (Crockett, Murphys: home, live, catholics)

[WesternPilgrim]

In honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, I think we Californians should pay tribute to the state's Irish diaspora.

From "The Irish in America", by John Francis McGuire: (http://www.libraryireland.com/Maguire/XIII-1.php - broken link)

"THERE is not a State in the Union in which the Irish have taken deeper and stronger root, or thriven more successfully, than California, in whose amazing progress--material, social, and intellectual--they have had a conspicuous share. For nearly twenty years past this region has been associated in the popular mind with visions of boundless wealth and marvellous fortunes; and it may be interesting to learn under what circumstances the Irish became connected with a country of such universal repute, and of whose population they form a most important and valuable portion.

Long before the discovery of the precious metal attracted the adventurous from every quarter of the globe to the golden shores of the Pacific, Irishmen had made their home in California, where they had been hospitably received by the kindly Spanish race, with whom they freely intermixed, and amongst whom they were in the enjoyment of abundant means, won by honest industry, or the result of no less honourable public service. And how different the California of a quarter of a century since from the California of the present day! It retains but a faint resemblance to what it was when the sole occupants and lords of the soil were the good missionary priests, the rancheros, and the Indians...."

[Capt. Dan]

Erin go Braugh!
Danny Joe Malone [O'Maolioan]
Clan O'Connor--County Clare

[WesternPilgrim]

Tommy Makem - Leaving of Liverpool - YouTube

Farewell to you my own true love
I am going far away
I am bound for California
But I know that I'll return some day

Chorus:
So fare thee well, my own true love
And when I return, united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But, my darling, when I think of thee

I have signed on a yankee sailing ship
Davy Crockett is her name
And Burgess is the captain of her
And they say she is a floating shame

I have sailed with Burgess once before
And I think I know him right well
If a man is a sailor, he can get along
But if not than he's surely in hell

Oh, the fog is on the harbour love
And I wish I could remain
But I know it will be some long time
Before I see you again

[Bulldogdad]

Been here a few times. If you have nothing to do tomorrow.

Murphys Irish Day - Murphys, California

[WesternPilgrim]

Going To California - YouTube

[1AngryTaxPayer]

I'll drink to that!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

Been here a few times. If you have nothing to do tomorrow.

Murphys Irish Day - Murphys, California

Liked it better years ago before Murphys became bay area type artsy-fartsy but still fun nonetheless. A bit far for us to go for St. Paddy's now, however. But maybe next year as we'll be visiting family in CA about that time.

[clongirl]

[quote=WesternPilgrim;23433972]In honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, I think we Californians should pay tribute to the state's Irish diaspora.

From "The Irish in America", by John Francis McGuire: (http://www.libraryireland.com/Maguire/XIII-1.php - broken link)

"THERE is not a State in the Union in which the Irish have taken deeper and stronger root, or thriven more successfully, than California, in whose amazing progress--material, social, and intellectual--they have had a conspicuous share. For nearly twenty years past this region has been associated in the popular mind with visions of boundless wealth and marvellous fortunes; and it may be interesting to learn under what circumstances the Irish became connected with a country of such universal repute, and of whose population they form a most important and valuable portion.

Long before the discovery of the precious metal attracted the adventurous from every quarter of the globe to the golden shores of the Pacific, Irishmen had made their home in California, where they had been hospitably received by the kindly Spanish race, with whom they freely intermixed, and amongst whom they were in the enjoyment of abundant means, won by honest industry, or the result of no less honourable public service. And how different the California of a quarter of a century since from the California of the present day! It retains but a faint resemblance to what it was when the sole occupants and lords of the soil were the good missionary priests, the rancheros, and the Indians...."[/QUOTE

An interesting tidbit of not well known info....back in the mid-1800's thousand of Irish immigrants joined the US army to invade Mexico at the direction of Zachary Taylor and then turned themselves against the US troops to fight alongside the Mexicans after their arrival.

The "San Patricios" they were called, didn't like the way Catholics were treated, sorely reminded them far too much of what had been going on in their homeland. They were considered traitors and many were hung/flogged the the US but considered heroes with their own special day of celebrations and commemorations by the Mexicans.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

Been here a few times. If you have nothing to do tomorrow.

Murphys Irish Day - Murphys, California

It's rain or shine, and when the suns out it's a madhouse! Well, sort of, just 5000 folks in a town of 2500.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by clongirl

An interesting tidbit of not well known info....back in the mid-1800's thousand of Irish immigrants joined the US army to invade Mexico at the direction of Zachary Taylor and then turned themselves against the US troops to fight alongside the Mexicans after their arrival.

The "San Patricios" they were called, didn't like the way Catholics were treated, sorely reminded them far too much of what had been going on in their homeland. They were considered traitors and many were hung/flogged the the US but considered heroes with their own special day of celebrations and commemorations by the Mexicans.

Yes, that's a fascinating story, and I'm familiar with it. I believe some of their descendants remain in Mexico today. The film "One Man's Hero" tells their story.