Irish Savannah

by Arcadia Publishing

Overview

Most people have heard the song: ""Tis Irish I am and 'tis proud I am of it."" But, what does it mean to be Irish?

When the Irish first came to Savannah, it meant they were either ""lace curtain"" or ""old fort."" Lace curtain inferred that the family was prosperous, usually Protestant, and had come to Savannah with letters of introduction, money, and a plan. Old fort meant that the family had come to America in desperation and to Savannah with little but the clothes on their back, the desire to work, and hope for a better future. Old fort Irish were generally Catholic, attending Catholic schools and depending on the Church for far more than just Sunday worship. Today, the Irish have spread all over Savannah like shamrocks, making these designations a thing of the past. The Irish are involved in every facet of Savannah life, from politics, to business, to education. Catholicism remains the predominant religion and churches abound, as do Catholic schools. When the ""Season of St. Patrick"" begins, the Savannah Irish begin celebrating.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467111935
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	02/10/2014
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	502,157
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Author Sheila Counihan Winders has collected photographs and stories of the Savannah Irish from archives and various families. These families, while a small representation of the Savannah Irish, paint a good picture of the Irish community and its spirit—Southern style complete with green grits!

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 The Early Irish 9

2 Irish Love the Beach 37

3 Irish Church and School 53

4 Irish Characters 77

5 Irish Societies and Organizations 93

6 The Irish on St. Patrick's Day 101

7 Irish Places and Faces 119

Afterword 126

Bibliography 127