Erin's Essay

Why is the connection between New Orleans and Ireland important in 2013?

New Orleans has a very strong connection to the Irish people and the culture they bring to the city.  The city is famous for being a melting pot of many different cultures and traditions, the Irish being one of them.  Just as it is important to maintain the connection between New Orleans and France or Spain, it is also important to keep the connection between New Orleans and Ireland just as strong, for many have yet to realize that the Irish actually had a huge impact on the Crescent City.

The port city of New Orleans was a major hub for immigration to the United States, and during the 1840’s in particular due to the Great Famine, masses of Irish immigrants came over to seek shelter in their time of need.  They influenced the city’s economy, social life, cuisine, and architecture.  One of the most famous Irish buildings in New Orleans is St. Patrick’s Church, which was constructed because Irish immigrants wanted to attend church services in English rather than French.  Gallier Hall, which is a huge part of New Orleans history, was designed by James Gallier, Sr., a man of Irish descent.  During Hurricane Katrina, when the city was completely destroyed by the effects of the storm, the Irish government sent over one million dollars to Red Cross to help reestablish the city and bring it back to what it once was.

This obvious act of kindness demonstrates the bond between New Orleanians and the Irish.  This kind of bond is something that is important to uphold today, for without the Irish, where would we be?  Without New Orleans, what would have happened to those who were starving during the Great Famine?  We cannot simply dismiss the fact that Ireland has a place in our history.  It has shaped our culture and helped to define what New Orleans is today.  There is even an entire section between Uptown and the Lower Garden District entitled the Irish Channel, home to many of the original shotgun houses.  This is an area in which many Irish workers lived, an area in which they felt safe and were able to feel a sense of community.  The name remains the same today, for changing it would be like changing history.  Saint Patrick’s Day is another one of the many traditions that New Orleans celebrates annually.  With parades running through Uptown and in Metairie, it’s not just a day in our city; it’s a huge celebration that New Orleanians recognize as an important part of our history.

Given the hints of Irish culture left here and there throughout New Orleans, it is impossible to brush off the fact that Ireland holds a major place in our city.  We cannot simply disregard it as unimportant to the city.  The connection between New Orleans and Ireland is important because we have been there for each other in times of need.  We share a past, and it only makes sense that we should share a future as well.

Erin Reily, 2013