Inventing Irish America: Generation, Class, and Ethnic Identity in a New England City, 1880-1928

by Timothy J. Meagher

Overview

“Timothy Meagher’s Inventing Irish America places the construction of ethnic identity in a specific historical context. It does so superbly, weaving a sophisticated treatment of the evolution of Irish American life into a rich account of Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1880 to 1928. The result is a major contribution to American ethnic history and an excellent example of the importance of carefully grounded historical analysis for understanding social group formation.” —The Journal of American History

“Arguably one of the most important case studies since Oscar Handlin’s Boston’s Immigrants, 1790–1865. . . . Meagher breaks new ground by charting the complex interaction between this generational transition and the intergroup struggles for power, resources, and status that shaped and reshaped Irish American identity.” —American Historical Review

“Meagher does a fine job of combining detailed, thoughtful analysis with pertinent illustrations from those who participated in this complex story. . . . [T]he book will certainly be interesting and accessible to others with interest in Irish and Irish American culture. In conveying a multifaceted analysis, Meagher has brought a community to life.” —History: Review of New Books

“Meagher’s rich and detailed study is filled with marvelous stories. . . . It would not be an exaggeration to call this book a masterpiece both of historical detail and of a new and sophisticated theory of the second generation.” —American Catholic Studies

Timothy J. Meagher is associate professor of history and university archivist at Catholic University of America. He is the author of A Guide to Irish American History, and co-editor, with Ronald H. Bayor, of The New York Irish, winner of the James Donnelly Sr. Prize from the American Conference for Irish Studies.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780268031534
Publisher:	University of Notre Dame Press
Publication date:	04/28/2001
Series:	Irish in America Series
Edition description:	1st Edition
Pages:	544
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Timothy J. Meagher is associate professor of history and university archivist at Catholic University of America. He is the author of A Guide to Irish American History, and co-editor, with Ronald H. Bayor, of The New York Irish, winner of the James Donnelly Sr. Prize from the American Conference for Irish Studies.

 

Editorial Reviews

Meagher (Irish studies, Catholic Univ.; Urban American Catholicism) here presents a study of his hometown, Worcester, MA. The second largest city in Massachusetts, Worcester is more blue-collar and less Irish than Boston. Having sought political alliance with the Protestant Yankees by embracing their adopted land, the Irish had been rebuffed. Catholic-Protestant animosity (a time-honored tradition) reinforced their siege mentality, and in 1890, the Worcester Irish debated whether or not to join a St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Irish have, until recently, defied acculturation. The author believes that only since the Sixties have the Irish been able to break down their own boundaries and "melt" into the Worcester pot, as demonstrated with a resurrected parade in 1983 that included Latin and Asian communities. This well-written and -researched book is best suited to academic libraries but would be appropriate for public libraries with strong Irish constituents. And the Worcester Public libraries may feel obliged.--Robert Moore, Raytheon, Sudbury, MA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Timothy Meagher’s Inventing Irish America places the construction of ethnic identity in a specific historical context. It does so superbly, weaving a sophisticated treatment of the evolution of Irish American life into a rich account of Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1880 to 1928. The result is a major contribution to American ethnic history and an excellent example of the importance of carefully grounded historical analysis for understanding social group formation.” —The Journal of American History

“This well-written and researched book is best suited to academic libraries but would be appropriate for public libraries with strong Irish constituents.” —Library Journal

“When Timothy J. Meagher visits St. John’s Cemetery in south Worcester, he said he feels like he’s ‘walking among friends,’ such as Monsignor Thomas Griffin and former Worcester Mayor Peter Sullivan. Mr. Meagher never met Monsignor Griffin or Mr. Sullivan, but you’d never know that flipping through the Worcester native’s new book.” —Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“[A]n appealing text.” —Choice

“Arguably one of the most important case studies since Oscar Handlin’s Boston’s Immigrants, 1790-1865...[T]his book is notable for masterfully bringing to bear generational and sociological models of immigrant assimilation and ethnic group formation to illuminate the concrete historical experience of the Irish in a middling but representative Massachusetts city. Meagher breaks new ground by charting the complex interaction between this generational transition and the intergroup struggles for power, resources, and status that shaped and reshaped Irish-American identity.” —American Historical Review

“Timothy J. Meagher, director of Catholic University’s Center for Irish Studies, describes his native Worcester through a rich blend of scholarship and personal experience, within the larger context of Irish and Irish American history. Meagher does a fine job of combining detailed, thoughtful analysis with pertinent illustrations from those who participated in this complex story. [T]he book will certainly be interesting and accessible to others with interest in Irish and Irish American culture. In conveying a multifaceted analysis, Meagher has brought a community to life.” —History: Review of New Books

“Timothy Meagher’s fine study...is a rich and at times fascinating tale...Meagher’s focus and depth lend a freshness and clarity not always found elsewhere...The research that underlies this book is truly impressive in its scope.” —Journal of Economic History

“Inventing Irish America is a masterful study that should be required reading for any student of immigration or religious history.” —Journal of Interdisciplinary History

“Meagher’s rich and detailed study is filled with marvelous stories...It would not be an exaggeration to call this book a masterpiece both of historical detail and of a new and sophisticated theory of the second generation.” —American Catholic Studies

From the Publisher