There’s no question that the Irish have their own special relationship with America—just look at how many U.S. cities turn their rivers green in honor of that country’s most popular holiday.
But historian and quiz master Christopher Winn takes it to a whole new level in his latest book, I Never Knew That About the Irish (St. Martin’s). Highlighting hundreds of celebrated Irish people in an encyclopedic format, with charming illustrations by Winn’s wife, Mai Osawa, there’s something to fascinate on every page.
Winn shared his “Top 10″ list of contributions the Irish made to America with us. Check it out to find out how the capital of Alabama, the Golden Gate Bridge and more are tied to the Emerald Isle.
Come back and tell us which item was your favorite—or about a contribution the Irish made to America that isn’t on the list—and you’ll be entered to win a free copy of the book, as well as a copy of Top 10 of Ireland by Eoghan Corry. Contest closes on March 11. Good luck!
ETA: Congrats to Cindy, this week’s winner! Contest is now closed.
Who knew! My favorites on the list were the $ and Coca Cola. The hypodermic needle is also one that was not on the list.
Didn’t know all this,but coke is my favorite soda,only one I drink. My grandmother said we had Irish Blood,so we are fortunate,ah,the luck of the Irish,all the wonders they contributed,I congratulate them!!!
Some say I must be Irish with my luck,hope have some of it along with Indian,but I make more efforts than many,fill out more sweeps and work at it..This is one place I’s love to visit,Ireland(Erin)
I was shocked when I read about Coke. I’m drinking one right now!
I Never Knew About the Irish by Winn is a great fountain of information – what a joy to read and learn! Cheers to Coca Cola and the wearing of the GREEN!
Coca cola is cool – I would add amazing beer and amazing writers / works of literature.
- Rena
My favorite – Half of the 44 US Presidents to date boast of Irish blood –So ironic that a country that would not have self government until the 1920s would contribute so many sons to American government.
A much needed book. My husband (Italian-American) always says the Irish have not contributed to the US like the Italians have. I found the $ sign the most interesting.
How cool–and how proud I am to be of Irish extraction. I thought the information about the Presidents was cool–also about Walt Disney. Would love a copy of this book to find out more!
i had no idea there was that much influence! very cool.
When Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Territory of Montana he appointed to Thomas Francis Meagher to be the Territory Secretary, which was the cheif administrative officer of the territory. He later became Territorial Govenor.
Meagher was born in August 23, 1823. After being convicted of sedition, he was first sentenced to death, but received transportation for life to Van Diemen’s Land in Australia. In 1852 he escaped and made his way to the United States, where he settled in New York City. There Meagher studied law, worked as a journalist, and traveled to present lectures on the Irish cause and married for a second time.
At the beginning of the American Civil War, Meagher joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of brigadier general.[1] He was most notable for recruiting and leading the Irish Brigade, and encouraging support among Irish immigrants for the Union. He had one surviving son, from his first wife.
It was believed that Lincoln appointed Meagher Territorial Secretary to get him out of the East because it was belived that Meargher was going to take his Irish Brigade to invade Canada as way of seperating Ireland from Great Britian.
Interesting information abut the Irish contributions to America. Coke especially.
America’s First National Hero–I live in Alabama and had no idea who Montgomery was named for. An odd connection, since he didn’t seem to have anything to do with the Southern colonies–and Alabama didn’t exist yet. But this will cause me to do some research. I’m reading New York by Edward Rutherford right now–love the connection made here to Irish history–so cool.
There is a book about How the Irish Saved Civilization, so the Irish have really contributed but it is not publicized how much we owe the Irish
Half the presidents have an Irish heritage – who knew !!!
I loved the Coca-Cola/Mickey Mouse connection!
The fact that half of our nation’s presidents have Irish blood is pretty amazing. I can honestly say I never knew that. By the way, I like the new design!
Although I love the Presidents one, my favorite has to be the Golden Gate one as my son works there …
Having been in the Navy I’d say the submarine is my favorite!
I’ve always admired our White House and now I’m proud to read that it was designed by an Irishman.
The dollar sign! Great list!
My favorites are the white house and the golden gate bridge. Who knew? I didn’t.
If Coca Cola wasn’t enough, the Irish are great unionizers. And good for them. Very topical lately, no?
22 presidents have Irish blood. That’s cool.
My kids are more Irish than I am. My husband is a first generation American. We have been lucky!
I found it interesting that fully half of our presidents have Irish ancestry. Not surprising, considering how many Irish people have immigrated to this country, but still.
The $ was interesting and something I never knew.
Coca cola! Who knew?!?!
The most important contribution the Irish made to America was me.
The designer that won a competition to build the White House. Very interesting indeed.
My Irish husband is the best contribution to America!
The first surprise was Coca Cola. The second was why my wife Eileen, who brought 7 delightful children into this world, wasn’t listed. Shame.
Very interesting information. My fave: White House. Designed by James Hoban.
My favorite, Robert Fulton inventing the paddle steamer.
I grew up in Alabama and never knew for whom the capitol city was named, drank the ubiquitious Coca Cola in little glass bottles and later lived in San Francisco and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge weekly! Neat
I love it that two people involved with bringing Mickey Mouse to “life” had connections to Ireland.
I went to Ireland in 2009. It is a beautiful country. It is still wild and looks untamed. I would go back in a heartbeat. The people are friendly and they have a great beer. I had a pint every night.
I love your reviews of books shown.
With a name like MURPHY I feel I must be the luckiest lady in the world to have married an Irish man!
The fact about the U.S. Presidents is interesting–since Irishmen and politicians have the “Gift of Gab”.
How fun! I have a best friend who is Irish & I bet she doesn’t know some of this stuff!
My favorite was Coca Cola and Mickey Mouse – hate to admit it but they were all surprises to me.
Who knew the Irish contributed so much! Love the $, Coke, and the White House! Now there needs to be a book on the Polish contributions.
My Mother was born in Ireland, so ‘yes’, I definitely have the luck of the Irish. Sounds like a very fun book.
favorite things irish are guiness beer and irish whiskey.
Congrats, Cindy! You are the winner of this contest. An e-mail from me is on the way.
Coke is the winner on this list for me.
Honestly think that it’s mixed in my blood due to so many generations of my family being nothing but Coke drinkers. Of course if the stories I hear are true, that Coke was usually mixed with something a whole lot stronger.
The informationa about our Presidents and the $ was most interesting. Sounds like a good book to read.
My grandmother, Theresa Flachs….was one of the best contributions the Irish ever made to this country. What an awesome individual she was!
Coca-Cola
I am part Irish (that was never spoken of) and my husband is half Irish which was. This would be a great book for our collection.
I found it very interesting that half our presidents have Irish blood! Hmmm, now, what does that tell us? I’d like to know if they were mostly Republicans or mostly Democrats!
As one of the last “Murphy girls” in our family, I think all of the contributions were wonderful. Especially liked the $ and submarine. Sounds like a great book to add to my collection.
My favorite place to visit is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. I have read the information about Thomas Mellon on the plaque at the visitor’s center. Thank you for the list of contributions by Irish people.