From Antietam to Ireland: Thomas Meagher, the Irish Brigade and an American Civil War journey

From Antietam to Ireland: Thomas Meagher, the Irish Brigade and an American Civil War journey

December 15, 2025 · 56 min · Episode 52

About this episode

The episode discusses the contributions of Irish soldiers in the American Civil War, focusing on Thomas Meagher and a recent trip to Ireland.

In Episode 52, Irishman and historian Cóilín Ó Coigligh of County Cavan gives co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks the lowdown on Irish soldiers who fought at Antietam, including the famous Irish Brigade commander Thomas Meagher. Plus, John and Coilin dish on their American Civil War-focused trip in August on the Emerald Isle. (Pssst: They stayed at Meagher's birthplace in Waterford — it's now a four-star hotel.) This podcast is sponsored by the Michigan Civil War Association and Civil War Trails , which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states. Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history. McMillan is author of the recently released The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence and four other books . Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime and numerous magazine articles about the Civil War . Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog . Banks' popular Civil War blog is here .

People in this episode

Hosts: Tom McMillan, John Banks

Guest: Cóilín Ó Coigligh

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Michigan Civil War Association, Civil War Trails

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence, A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime

Places: County Cavan, Waterford, Ireland

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