The Boston Revolutionary Irish Trail

Here in New England, the Irish and Scots-Irish played pivotal roles during the Revolutionary War and American Revolution. They stood out as fierce warriors on battlefields and high seas, but also contributed in legal, political and artistic realms where their talent and devotion came to the fore. 

As part of America 250 celebrations, we’ve created the Revolutionary Irish Trail to pay tribute to these contributions and to share with our readers local landmarks and institutions that help tell their illustrious story.

You’ll find iconic sites such as Bunker Hill, Charlestown Navy Yard, Castle Island  and Dorchester Heights. You’ll see statues and plaques to key Irish-American figures including John Barry, Jeremiah O’Brien, Henry Knox and John Singleton Copley, and historical burying grounds where Patrick Carr, James Sullivan and others are laid to rest.  Boston museums and libraries on the trail let you explore historical collections, art and artifacts and research resources. And lastly, a sidebar of plaques illuminate historical figures or episodes.

Like so many immigrants to America, the Irish and Scots-Irish left Ireland for the New World to escape cruel governance, religious discrimination, economic hardship and famine. Many of them arrived here as indentured servants, often facing harsh treatment from their masters, while others were farmers, tradesmen, clergy and schoolteachers.  

Ulster Presbyterians, also known as Scots-Irish, arrived as entire parishes starting in 1718, and quickly built new settlements in Boston, Worcester, New Hampshire and Maine. Irish Catholics had to be more circumspect upon arrival, since Catholics were persecuted in much of New England leading up to the American Revolution. 

When the rebellion broke out, Irish of all backgrounds quickly joined ranks with like-minded colonists – founding fathers, women, servants, blacks and indigenous natives – in fighting for freedom, liberty and independence.

Other Boston Irish chose to stay loyal to the British Crown, including portrait painter John Singleton Copley and his half-brother Henry Pelham, but they had an increasingly difficult time as the Revolution ramped up and decided to evacuate Boston for safer climes. 

And finally, Boston had a whole contingent of Irish-born soldiers who found themselves here as part of the British Army. They camped out on Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and eventually Castle Island. It was Irish soldiers in the British 29th Regiment of Foot who fired into the crowd at the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, fueling the fires of rebellion. 

In the months ahead, we’re expanding the Revolutionary Irish Trail to add other Irish-relevant landmarks in Concord, Lexington and Newburyport, as well as New Hampshire and Maine.

Explore the trail: irishboston.org/revirishtrail