Irish Creole: Intertwined history of Ireland and New Orleans, Louisiana, 1768-1968

A lecture by Dr Charles D. Chamberlain (University of New Orleans) for the International and Environmental History Research Seminar Series.

Dr. Charles D. Chamberlain, author of New Orleans: A Concise History of an Exceptional City (LSU Press, 2025) will present a lecture focusing on the significant, but often overlooked, historic connections between New Orleans and Ireland. Alejandro O’Reilly of the “Wild Geese” generation was instrumental in shaping New Orleans’ distinct Creole society as the first Spanish colonial governor in Louisiana during the late 18th century. Famine-era immigrant Margaret Haughery emerged as the most successful female entrepreneurs in the city’s history, and also the most prolific philanthropist of her generation, helping to fund the establishment of several orphanages during the period of devastating yellow fever epidemics. In the 20th century, the Brennan family, of the Irish Channel neighborhood, shaped the global reputation of New Orleans Creole cuisine with their world-famous restaurants - Brennans and Commander’s Palace, proudly proving that French Creoles did not have a monopoly on the exquisite cuisine in the Creole city.

The Centre for International History draws on the burgeoning insights of scholars in the past few decades that history does not stop at the border of the nation-state.  International history explores comparative approaches and uncovers transnational flows of commerce, politics, culture, and ideas. The Centre's research seminars and public events will display these methods while examining historical developments across the globe especially in the late modern period.

Please let us know if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: gearyd@tcd.ie