07/04/2026
FUN FACTS:
The Irish played a much bigger role in the American Revolutionary War than many people realize. In fact, Irish immigrants and people of Irish descent were deeply involved on both the military and political sides of the revolution.
Here are some of the most interesting parts of that story:
1. A Large Part of Washington’s Army Was Irish
By some estimates, up to one-third of George Washington’s Continental Army had Irish roots — especially immigrants from Ireland and Scots-Irish settlers from Ireland and Ulster.
Many had already experienced:
• British land restrictions
• Religious discrimination against Catholics and Presbyterians
• Economic hardship under British rule
Because of that, many strongly supported independence from Great Britain.⸻
2. The Scots-Irish Were Fierce Patriots
The Scots-Irish (descendants of Scottish settlers in Ulster who later immigrated to America) were heavily concentrated on the frontier, especially in:
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
They were known as tough frontiersmen and formed a major part of militia forces.
A British officer supposedly complained that the rebellion was in part “a Presbyterian war.”
3. Irish Heroes of the Revolution
Some major figures:
John Barry
• Born in County Wexford, Ireland
• Often called the “Father of the American Navy”
• Commissioned directly by George Washington
• Fought key naval battles against the British
Richard Montgomery
• Born in Ireland
• Became a major general in the Continental Army
• Died leading the attack on Quebec City in 1775
• One of the Revolution’s earliest heroes
Charles Thomson
• Born in Ireland
• Secretary of the Continental Congress for 15 years
• Helped design the Great Seal of the United States
4. Irish Support for American Independence in Ireland Itself
Not everyone in Ireland supported Britain.
The volunteer movement called the Irish Volunteers pushed for greater Irish rights while watching the American rebellion closely.
American success inspired later Irish independence movements, including groups that eventually influenced the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
5. George Washington Wore Green on St. Patrick’s Day
On March 17, 1780, George Washington reportedly allowed a celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day within the army camp as a sign of solidarity with Irish troops.
This was notable because Britain and Ireland were under the same crown, yet many Irish soldiers supported the colonial cause.
6. The Revolution Helped Inspire Irish Independence Later
The American Revolution became a model for later Irish nationalists.
Groups like the Society of United Irishmen looked to America as proof that breaking away from Britain was possible.
A lesser-known fact
An estimated 200,000+ Irish-born people or people of Irish ancestry lived in the colonies in 1776, making them one of the largest ethnic groups involved in the revolution.
🇺🇸
Click here for an update from Sullivan's Irish Alley☘️TRAVEL☘️CelticAlley.com!
