Donegal represented at Montana celebration of Irish Contribution

A delegation from the west of Ireland, including Donegal visited Montana in the USA, to commemorate 150 years of the Irish contribution to the state of Montana.

Donegal sisters Natalie and Giselle O’Mara performed in the City Hall of Butte and a signed county flag from GAA star, Michael Murphy, was presented to delegates in Montana.

The Irish group visited many spectacular sites in Montana, including Yellowstone, Granite Mountain, and a mine yard in St Patrick’s Cemetery in Butte. 

Organised by the Boston Beara Society, over 50 representatives visited Montana from May 16 to May 26, just one year after a successful event was held in Boston to commemorate 300 years of Irish contribution to the state of Massachusetts. 

The city of Butte is sometimes known as America’s most Irish town, as per capita, Butte has the highest percentage of Irish Americans of any city in the United States, a large proportion of whom were from Donegal or Cork. 

Donegal tour guide, Aidy Carr, explained to Donegal Live: “I met up with people in the state capital, but little to my knowledge, I didn’t realise how large the diaspora of Irish people was, and the contribution they made to that state in the late 1800s. 

“Basically, 50% of the population in Montana 100 years ago were Irish (ancestrally) or Irish-born. In America, it is usually all about Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco but there is very little spoken about Montana. 

“Back in the day, Butte was known as the richest town in America. The copper mining replaced the gold mining of the 1840s. 

“With Donegal, traditionally, if there is a hole in the ground, Donegal people go digging. They are famous for anything to do with hard work.”

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The Chief Executive of Butte-Silver Bow City and Council, JP Gallagher, received the Michael Murphy signed flag and welcomed guests to a civic reception.

Aidy said: “The Governor of Montana had an open invitation to the county councils in Ireland and helped them commemorate and celebrate 150 years of their contribution to the great state of Montana.

“A lot of people came from southwest Donegal, places like Glencolmcille. The amount of people who are connected to Montana is frightening.

“We have been met with open arms.”

Aidy also praised the O’Mara sisters for their contribution, but criticised Donegal County Council for failing to fund their trip.

“The girls were singing in Irish in the state capital, Helena, which is definitely a first ever and a brilliant representation of Donegal,” said Aidy.

“Cork County Council paid for the two singers to go out when they were from Donegal, which is embarrassing, but it was worthwhile.” 

The culture of Donegal and the west of Ireland, commented Aidy, had passed through the generations of people in Montana.

He stated: “The most important thing about Montana that I have noticed is the people. It is like going to Glencolmcille or Inishowen. They are easy-going and comfortable in their own skin. 

“I would love to bring people from Montana to visit the county and the places where their ancestors came from.”