36. From Famine to the Frontline: The Irish in the US Civil War
From Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast by Fin Dwyer & Damian Shiels
January 26, 2026 · 56 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the significant role of Irish Americans in the US Civil War and explores new perspectives on their contributions and experiences.
The American Civil War was a defining moment for Irish Americans in the 1860s. Over 250,000 Irish Americans many of them Famine emigrants served in the Union army. Over the course of the war they played a key role in the defeat of the Confederacy. However their service has been dogged by stereotypes and myth for more than 160 years. In this episode Damian discusses his latest research published in his 2025 book Green and Blue. Fin and Damian explore the book that brings new perspectives to our understanding of the war. They examine the immense Irish contribution to the Union cause and what their experiences of the conflict were really like. They also address the darker aspects of Irish involvement. Damian explains how and why Irish attitudes to emancipation and racism were not what we might expect from a community that served the Union in such overwhelming numbers. Damian’s book “Green and Blue Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861–1865” is a must read for anyone interested in the civil war of Irish America more broadly Get your copy https://www.amazon.com/Green-Blue-Americans-Conflicting-Dimensions/dp/0807183709 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…
People in this episode
Host: Fin Dwyer
Guest: Damian Shiels
Topics covered
- Irish Americans
- US Civil War
- Famine emigrants
- Union army
- Irish contribution
- emancipation
- racism
Keywords
- Irish Americans
- Civil War
- Famine
- Union army
- emancipation
- racism
- Damian Shiels
- Green and Blue
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Green and Blue Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861–1865
Places: United States
More episodes of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
- 46. Outsiders: Irish American Radical Women · May 17, 2026 · 47 min
- 45. An Ulster Scot on the American Frontier: The Extraordinary Life of George Galphin · April 19, 2026 · 59 min
- 44. The GAA in the USA · April 12, 2026 · 56 min
- 43. Death in the Rockies: Irish Silver Miners in Leadville, Colorado · April 5, 2026 · 51 min
- 42. The Lowcountry Irish: The Story of Savannah & Charleston · March 29, 2026 · 55 min
- 41. Over Here: The Americans in Northern Ireland in World War II · March 16, 2026 · 51 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast podcast page.