“When my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston he carried nothing with him except two things—a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. I am glad to say that all of his grandchildren valued that inheritance.”- John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy had ancestors that came from Ireland to Boston, Mass during the potato famine. He was America’s first Irish Catholic president. His family, like many others, faced hardships. They were not welcomed with open arms, but instead faced prejudice and were often ostracized. The people of Boston, especially the elite English that remained after the influx of Irish Immigrants believed the Irish to be a “servant race”. The Irish people made up 70% of the servants in Boston, 2/3rd of them women. The Irish were looked at with scorn because they would work for low wages and because of their Catholic background. The “Know Nothing Party” formed as a result of Irish (immigrant) hatred in the 19th century and furthered the political and mass media bashing of the Irish population. Employers hung signs “No Irish need apply” and newspapers published cartoons that depicted the Irish as obnoxious, idiotic drunks.
In order to raise their position some Irish became “ward bosses” for political parties in the cities they lived in. They worked as mediators between political parties that promised favors to the Irish and other immigrants as long as they voted Democrat in the elections. JFK’s great-great grandfather was one of these ward bosses for the Democratic party. He became one of the most powerful figures in Boston.
Today the Irish culture is recognized in America on St. Patrick’s Day and has been celebrated since the 18th century. Ironically, it first started in Boston in 1737 as a Protestant celebration to honor the homeland and eventually the celebration filtered to other states. In 1780 George Washington also allotted his army a holiday on St. Patrick’s Day “as an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for independence”. The Irish have brought aspects of their culture to America, have influenced the way the American society functions today. They have played a role in literature, forming unions, and politics. Today we recognize them.
St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time—a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.
Have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day.
Katrina Thornley 
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