All Fifty States Club

Celebrate the Irish in the USA

March 17, 2025

 

Over 4 million Irish immigrants came to America during the mid/late 1800's. That influence can be seen today across the USA as Irish heritage can be experienced in Irish culture cities, events, restaurants, and attractions.

 

☘️ Cities with Strong Irish Heritage

  1. Boston, MA – Often called the “most Irish city in America,” Boston has historic Irish neighborhoods, the Irish Heritage Trail, and one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades.
  2. Scituate, MA –Often called the "most Irish town in America", a large percentage of residents of this city have Irish heritage
  3. Chicago, IL – Famous for dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day, plus its Irish pubs and strong Irish-American community.
  4. New York City, NY– Home to the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world and the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Five Points neighborhood played a major role in Irish-American history.
  5. Savannah, GA – Hosts one of the country’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, with a historic Irish Catholic community.
  6. Philadelphia, PA – Features a rich Irish heritage, McGillin’s Olde Ale House (one of the oldest Irish pubs in America), and a big St. Patrick’s Day parade.
  7. Pittsburgh, PA – A strong Irish immigrant history, a massive St. Patrick’s Day parade, and the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh.
  8. Butte, MT – A surprising Irish stronghold in the West, Butte has deep mining-era Irish roots and a huge Irish festival.
  9. New Orleans, LA– The Irish Channel neighborhood and its lively St. Patrick’s Day celebrations (including cabbages thrown from floats) make it unique.
  10. Buffalo, NY– Home to a large Irish population and the Buffalo Irish Center, a hub for Irish culture.
  11. Kansas City, MO – A vibrant Irish community with an excellent St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Kansas City Irish Fest.

 

☘️ Notable Irish Attractions, Landmarks, and Events

  • Irish Heritage Trail (Boston, MA) – A walking tour of Boston’s most important Irish-American sites.
  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York City, NY) – A stunning Neo-Gothic cathedral and a symbol of Irish Catholic heritage in America.
  • Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty (NY & NJ) – Millions of Irish immigrants entered the U.S. through Ellis Island.
  • The Irish American Heritage Center (Chicago, IL) – A hub for Irish culture, music, and history.
  • Irish Cultural Museum (New Orleans, LA) – Showcases the influence of Irish immigrants in Louisiana.
  • Buffalo Irish Center (Buffalo, NY)
  • Butte’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival (Butte, MT) – A one-of-a-kind Irish celebration in the Rockies.
  • The Molly Maguires Memorial (Pennsylvania) – Honoring Irish coal miners and labor activists.
  • The Irish Shrine & Railroad Workers Museum (Baltimore, MD) – Preserving the history of Irish railroad workers.
  • Milwaukee Irish Fest (Milwaukee, WI) – The largest Irish festival in the U.S.

 

🍻 Best Historic Irish Pubs in the U.S.

  • McSorley’s Old Ale House in New York, NY, 1854
  • Molly's Sheebeen in New York, NY, 1895
  • The Plough & Stars in Cambridge, MA
  • J.J. Foley's Cafe in Boston, MA
  • Kelly's Logan House, Wilmington, DE, 1864
  • McGillin's Olde Ale House in Philadelphia, PA
  • McNamara's Irish Pub in Nashville, TN
  • Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub in Alexandria, VA
  • Nancy Whiskey, Detroit, MI, 1902
  • The Burren in Somerville, MA
  • John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden in St. Louis, MO
  • The Dubliner in Washington, D.C.

 

☘️ Irish Named Cities

  1. Ardmore, AL, IN, MD, MO, OK, PA, SD, TN
  2. Bangor, AL, CA, IA, ME, MI, MN, PA, WI
  3. Belfast, CA, GA, ME, MN, MO, NE, OH, PA, TN
  4. Cork, AZ, GA, KY
  5. Derry, LA, NH, NM, OR, PA
  6. Dublin, AL, CA, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NC, OH, PA, TX, VA
  7. Erin, TN, TX, WI
  8. Galway, NY
  9. Ireland, IN, WV
  10. Kilkenny, MN, NH
  11. Killarney, FL, GA, LA
  12. Killen, AL
  13. Limerick, GA, IL, ME, NY, OH, PA
  14. Shamrock, TX
  15. Shannon, AL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MS, NC, TX

 

☘️ Blarney Stones in the USA

While the original blarney stone is at Blarney Castle in Cork City, Ireland, pieces of the Blarney castle are scattered across the United States. It is said that if you kiss the blarney stone you are given the "Gift of Gab" or the "Gift of Eloquence".

  1. Shamrock, TX
  2. Savannah, GA 
  3. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX - has a school tradition that seniors kiss a piece of the Blarney Stone at graduation.
  4. Emmetsburg, IA
  5. Erin, TN - kiss the Blarney Stone by the Houston County courthouse

 

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