The St. John Fisher College Irish Studies Program presented its 6th Annual Irish Studies Conference on April 6-7, 2017. It included a keynote talk by University of Toronto historian Dr. David Wilson, four presentations about how the Irish were involved in the American Civil War, and re-dedication of a memorial to Col. Patrick O'Rorke, an Irish immigrant who died a hero at Gettysburg
O'Rorke Memorial Rededicated
Don Bain and Anne Kelly unveil the O'Rorke bust at its rededication.
The conference closed with rededication of a memorial to Col. Patrick O'Rorke, an Irish immigrant who moved to Rochester, became a Union Army officer and died leading his men at Gettysburg. For more images of the ceremony, click the arrows in the slideshow below
Conference presentations
Thursday, April 6
Keynote Address: David Wilson, Celtic Studies Program, University of Toronto
"Liberating Ireland by Invading Canada: The Fenian Invasion of Canada, 1866”
Friday April 7
Presentations were made on the following topics related to Irish involvement in the American Civil War:
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James Doherty, Military Historian from Waterford, Ireland: “The Irish Who Fought in the American Civil War” (videotaped earlier in Waterford. Link link to video is below right.)
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Tim Madigan, Director of Irish Studies, St. John Fisher College: “Thomas Francis Meagher and the Irish Brigade”
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Michael McCarthy, President of the Rochester Branch of the Irish American Cultural Association: "The Irish Who Fought in the Confederate Army"
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Judge Richard Dollinger, Colonel Patrick O’Rorke Memorial Society: “Patrick O’Rorke and the Battle of Gettysburg”