Irish Immigration

Irish Immigration in Waterbury, CT

Irish immigration is well known to have played an important role in the "Peopling of America", but the impact of Irish immigration specific to the city of Waterbury, CT has not been very well documented.

Given the impact that many different immigrant groups played in the development of Waterbury, it is no surprise that Irish immigration was heavily criticized by other ethnic groups in 20th century Waterbury.

The Abrigador section of Waterbury, now just a fraction of its original size, was dominated by Irish immigrants. A January 1995 Republican-American newspaper article quoted Waterbury resident William Fitzpatrick, "This was an All-Irish area and you couldn't cross the Baldwin Street Bridge unless you were Irish or you'd get stoned to death. My father used to tell me that story, but I don't think it was true." Certainly this was a tale that grew with time, but what 21st century residents now know as Hamilton Avenue was once called Dublin Street. The widening of Interstate-84 in the 1970s all but destroyed the once-thriving neighborhoods. Today the area is best known as the home to the 'Cross on the Hill' at Holyland USA.

As we continue to research Irish immigration and its' impact on Waterbury, we encourage you to contact us if you know of any source material that may be of interest to others researching Irish immigration.

Topic: Irish Immigration    Updated: March 2005   Copyright © 2003-2005 by Daniel M. Lynch.   All Rights Reserved.