Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School Classes
Note: All class times are listed in CENTRAL TIME ZONE. Thank you!
C02: Topics in Irish American History
Instructor: Damian Shiels - Read full bio
Price: $150.00
Location: CelticMKE Center
Start Date: Tue, August 12, 2025 Start Time: 12:30 PMEnd Date: Thu, August 14, 2025 End Time: 02:00 PMDescription: Dr. Damian Shiels explores three topics of Irish American history.
Pioneers of Irish America
Who were the earliest Irish settlers in the Americas? This workshop session will explore the archaeological and historical evidence, from St. Brendan and the Vikings to the voyages of Christopher Columbus. It will also examine evidence for the Irish presence at the Spanish colonies in Florida and Jamestown in Virginia.
Irish America and the U.S. Civil War
The American Civil War is only comparable to the First World War for the numbers of Irish who served in uniform. At least 200,000 Irish-born men fought for the Union and Confederacy, with tens of thousands more children of Irish emigrants taking to the colors. This workshop will explore some of the major figures, and discuss where and why the Irish served.
“Dangerous” Irish Women in America: Three Lives
This workshop will explore three female Irish immigrants who, for differing reasons, were characterized as “dangerous” elements in American society. It will examine the experiences, challenges and prejudices faced by Irish women through the lives of Ann Glover, executed as a witch in 17th century Boston, labor leader Mother Jones, once called the “Most Dangerous Woman in America” and Mary Mallon, who became known to history as “Typhoid Mary”.
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