The Friends of Irish Studies is a non-profit community based organization established to unite those of Irish heritage and those with a love of Ireland by fostering Irish culture at the local, national, and international levels. The Friends are based in Montana and are ardent supporters of the Irish Studies Program at the University of Montana. We are excited to be putting together a series of documentaries on the Irish of America and how they shaped modern Ireland. The first documentary examines the politics of the Irish and how Irish Americans influenced modern Ireland, focusing on Thomas Francis Meagher.
It is unlikely that there was any Irish American political leader whose life was more closely bound up with the fortunes of Ireland and America than that of Meagher's. He was a nation-builder, a man willing to sacrifice all in the pursuit of liberty and independence. His story is as adventurous as that of Indiana Jones! Meagher was born in 1823, in Waterford, Ireland into a prosperous Catholic family. He did not settle for the life of comfort he could have enjoyed. Greatly troubled by British misrule in Ireland, which led to Great Famine, Meagher decided to dedicate his life to achieving Irish freedom. He joined the radical Young Ireland movement where his considerable oratorical skills enchanted audiences and saw him rise to become one the best known nationalists of his time. He is remembered as the first to fly the Irish Tri-color; he is also remembered for his role in the Young Ireland Rebellion, for which he was sentenced to death. This sentence was commuted to life in prison and deportation to the penal colony in Tasmania. Meagher escaped to the United States where he became the most celebrated Irish nationalist personality of his time. He was a newspaper editor, lawyer and public speaker; he joined the Union Army during the Civil War and rose to the rank of brigadier general. His exploits during the First Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville distinguished him as a gifted military leader and established for the Fighting Irish 69th regiment a place in history for evermore. Following the Civil War, Meagher came to Virginia City, where he became the Acting Governor of the Montana Territory. When he arrived, Fenian organizations and Irish Nationalist groups greeted Meagher with enthusiasm. He seemed to have found a constituency as passionate about Irish freedom as he was, but alas, his time in Montana would be short. On July 1, 1867, Thomas Meagher disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Fort Benton, Montana.
Although known as 'Meagher of the Sword,' it was the pen that proved to be the most powerful weapon he wielded. His speeches and writings were published widely; his love of liberty and passionate commitment to the freedom and welfare of Ireland and her people were widely known. His life, words, spirit helped shape a new identity for the Irish in America. This would bind the Irish love of their heritage with the American love of liberty. Out of this union emerged a new nationalism that would sweep through Ireland and eventually force the establishment of the Irish Free State. It was Meagher who embodied this nationalism, popularized this nationalism, and ensured its widespread adoption throughout the United States. One could argue that Thomas Francis Meagher took Irish nationalism and transformed it into a new and distinct Irish American movement.
Much has been written about the life of Meagher, but his story has never been told on film. This project is an effort to remedy this in a way that tells not just the biographical life of Meagher but argues that he played a founding role in the creation of a new cultural and political world: Irish America. This is the world that unites the United States and Ireland and enables those on this side of the Atlantic to shape the course of events in Ireland.
The director of this film is Breandán Feiritéar, an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Feiritéar has already made two documentaries on Montana, both of which were shown on Irish national television to widespread acclaim. What is particularly innovative about Feiritéar's work is his use of the Irish language. This film will be produced in both Irish and English, a feature that will make it a very distinct and exciting project.
There is an Irish proverb 'Ní neart go cur le chéile' which means that there is not strength without unity. Working together we can achieve the goals we set before us. It was the unity between the Irish of America and Ireland that achieved Irish independence; it is by working together that we can tell this exciting and important story. This is why we appeal to you to lend us your support, help us tell the story of Thomas Francis Meagher and the generations who came before us. We cannot do it without your assistance, so please do contribute to the greatest extent manageable.
There are a number of benefits that you can receive for your participation. These include a hand written card with the project logo, high quality prints from newspapers depicting Irish Nationalism in the United States, dinner with cast and producers, your name in the credits and much, much, more. The prestige of collaborating in such a significant production will be considerable and lasting.
If you would like to contribute, but you do not have the financial resources, please feel free to approach for a role. This project really is by and for the community. We will need help in many ways – you may end up holding a boom microphone or passing out literature about the project – but rest assured, if you want to be part of the production we will do what we can to make sure you can!
One of the ways you can help us most is to let people know about what is envisaged. Please send the link to your friends and share the project on social media. Help us make some noise! This is a truly singular opportunity and we are determined to make it happen.
