Famous Irish Landmarks in the United States of America

McSorley’s Old Ale House is a proper Irish landmark that can be found right in the heart of Manhattan in New York City. The ale house, first opened sometime between 1854 and 1861 depending on who you trust, was opened by John McSorley, an Irish native who arrived in the USA in 1851 as a fresh-faced 18 year old.

Incredibly, the ale house still stands today. On your next visit to the Big Apple you can enjoy the sawdust floors and simple choice of light or dark ale and join a list of drinkers that includes Presidents Lincoln and Roosevelt, Woody Guthrie, Hunter S Thompson and Brendan Behan!

For a look at some other famous Irish pubs around the world click here. 

The Great Irish Famine will forever remain a massive, unforgettable part of Ireland’s history and the Irish Hunger Memorial, found in Battery Park, in New York City helps with this remembrance. 

The memorial contains a replica Irish cottage and materials shipped over directly from the west coast of Ireland including 300 million year old limestone and stones from all 32 counties in the country! 

The 69th Regiment Armory is famous for two reasons. First, it was designed by Hunt and Hunt in a Beaux-Arts style that rejected conventional medieval styles of other armories. Second, and more importantly, it is home to New York City’s only official Irish regiment of the New York Army National Guard.

This regiment is historically known as the “Fighting Irish”, a name borrowed and made famous by Notre Dame College. 

Duffy Square is the northern triangle of Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, and it is named after a statue of Father Francis Patrick Duffy that was first erected in 1937.

Father Duffy (1871 – 1932), originally from Canada, was a soldier, priest and military chaplain and amongst other things he served in World War One! He was also part of the Fighting Irish 69th Regiment mentioned above. 

Chicago Gaelic Park was first opened in 1985 on 147th street and over the last three decades it has become a place to celebrate and cherish Irish heritage and culture in the windy city.

The park features an Irish Famine Monument and over the years has welcomed numerous distinguished guests including Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Bertie Ahern, Hilary Clinton and Michael D Higgins. 

Our last listed Irish landmark in the US can be found in Cleveland on the East Bank. 

There, with the Irish tricolor and American stars and stripes on either side, stands a large stone set in September 2000 to remember the pain and strife of those involved in the Great Famine. A large Celtic cross is engraved on one side of the stone whilst on the other is an inscription dedicated to all involved.

At the foot of the stone, and deep underneath, lies a timecapsule that won’t be opened until September 2050…

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The United States of America is dotted with hundreds, if not thousands, of references to the country’s connection to the Emerald Isle and as a result this isn’t meant to be a definitive list.

Let us know about your favourite Irish landmark in the US here! 

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