3/25/2023 - History Talk: The Irish in Southbury On St. Patrick’s Day, they say “everybody is Irish.” But when you conjure an image of an old-time Yankee farmer, the thought of an Irish immigrant with a quaint dialect does not immediately come to mind. The truth is, that not all those who fled the potato famine or those who went off seeking work on the railroad were willing to tolerate the tenements and sweatshops of the city. Some went to the countryside to practice a lifestyle more like they had left behind. Is it ironic that a “Dublin Road” can be seen from the ancient town common, from the site of the first Puritan Meeting House? In March of 1940 a newspaper columnist from South Britain wrote, “Everywhere we turn, the Irish have left their mark on this township and that mark is a four-leaf clover for luck, squareshooting, and upright honesty.” Join us as we explore the shifting demographics and of those that left their imprint on our town. John Dwyer is the Town Historian. He and his family came to Southbury in 1984 to move into his wife's, Lynn, ancestral home. Their children were the 8th generation descendants to live there. The proximity to this heritage spurred an interest in antiquities into a study of local history. Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required. History Talks is a program in corporation with the Southbury Public Library, Southbury Historical Society, and the 350th Anniversary Committee. ### Event: History Talk: The Irish in Southbury Event Date: 3/25/2023 Event Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm Admission Fee: Free Registration Instructions: www.southburylibrary.org/event/person-irish-southbury Event Organizers/Contact: Southbury Public Library | 203-262-0626 ext. 130 | 350th Anniversary Steering Committee | www.southbury-ct.org/350 Event Location: Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Road, Southbury, CT 06488 The Town of Southbury is holding events and activities all year long to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury. The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee consists of John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier (co-chairs), Brian Jones (vice-chair), Justin Bette, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Michael Ganem, Kara Kenney, Mary Korsu, and Gosia Liedlich. Archives
On St. Patrick’s Day, they say “everybody is Irish.” But when you conjure an image of an old-time Yankee farmer, the thought of an Irish immigrant with a quaint dialect does not immediately come to mind. The truth is, that not all those who fled the potato famine or those who went off seeking work on the railroad were willing to tolerate the tenements and sweatshops of the city. Some went to the countryside to practice a lifestyle more like they had left behind.
Is it ironic that a “Dublin Road” can be seen from the ancient town common, from the site of the first Puritan Meeting House?
In March of 1940 a newspaper columnist from South Britain wrote, “Everywhere we turn, the Irish have left their mark on this township and that mark is a four-leaf clover for luck, squareshooting, and upright honesty.”
Join us as we explore the shifting demographics and of those that left their imprint on our town.
John Dwyer is the Town Historian. He and his family came to Southbury in 1984 to move into his wife's, Lynn, ancestral home. Their children were the 8th generation descendants to live there. The proximity to this heritage spurred an interest in antiquities into a study of local history.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required.
History Talks is a program in corporation with the Southbury Public Library, Southbury Historical Society, and the 350th Anniversary Committee.
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Event: History Talk: The Irish in Southbury Event Date: 3/25/2023 Event Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm Admission Fee: Free Registration Instructions: www.southburylibrary.org/event/person-irish-southbury Event Organizers/Contact: Southbury Public Library | 203-262-0626 ext. 130 | 350th Anniversary Steering Committee | www.southbury-ct.org/350 Event Location: Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Road, Southbury, CT 06488
The Town of Southbury is holding events and activities all year long to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury.
The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee consists of John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier (co-chairs), Brian Jones (vice-chair), Justin Bette, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Michael Ganem, Kara Kenney, Mary Korsu, and Gosia Liedlich.