Introduction

During American neutrality, there was a divide in opinion as to whether the country should intervene. Many supported war against the Germans, it did come with an alliance with Britain. With a large Irish population in America, there came anti-British sentiments. Numerous Irish descendants living in America did not want to fight with the British because their family members in Ireland campaigning unsuccessfully for home rule.  Nationally, Irish Americans protested US support for Britain during the war and then for failing to support Ireland desire for home rule after the Easter Rising.

However, a number of American volunteers who fought with the French and British during American neutrality were Irish. Something that is not discussed is the documented Irish who fought for the Germans. This is not a subject that I looked into as the availability of resources devoted to Irish Americans fighting for Germany was not accessible. I chose to focus on the Connecticut Irish who fought for America and their stories.
There were many soldiers from Connecticut who were also Irish and served in World War 1.  In this exhibit, you will become acquainted with seven Irish Americans who served in the First World War. Six of the men were born or raised in New Haven County. Three of the seven survived the war and came back to Connecticut. The remaining four were killed in action and forever lost until now. As it is appropriate to discuss the men it was also important to shine a light on the mothers of these men who became Gold Star parents.