Thomas Meagher: Montana’s Main Man
We walk in the footsteps of giants like Thomas F. Meagher, says Steve Bullock, the Governor of Montana, in a special reflection
In Montana, we are very proud of our strong Irish heritage, and the connection we have with Ireland. Irish immigrated to the Montana Territory as miners and families. They built our towns, our railroads, ran the shops and boarding houses, they were our clergy and lived off the land as farmers and ranchers. They created and staffed the education system, which in turn graduated a new and educated generation of Irish-Americans who would use their education to move up the legal and judicial system, to become our politicians and establish a powerful presence in all our professions. The pride is seen in their loyalty to one another and in the proliferation of Irish societies throughout Montana. The tie to Ireland and Irish-American identity continues to be evident throughout Montana with numerus events and festivals across the state. The University of Montana’s Irish Studies program has helped spark a growing interest in Montanans to reconnect with the history and traditions of their ancestors who came before them.
One-hundred and fifty years after his death, Thomas Francis Meagher remains a figure of intrigue and influence across the globe. At first glance, Montana may seem like an unlikely place for a statue of an Irish revolutionary, but when you understand Montana, Meagher’s role in the development of the state, and the Irish in Montana, his legacy across the state is clear. In 1865 President Andrew Johnson appointed Meagher as the Secretary of the newly formed Montana Territory, and soon after arriving, he became the Acting Territorial Governor. Forty years later in 1905, The Irish of Montana dedicated a new statue at the state capital in Helena of Thomas Francis Meagher horseback with saber held high. Today it remains one of the most prominent statues in Montana.
This past summer Montana continued the strong connection to Ireland with the celebration of the life and legacy of Meagher. The Thomas Francis Meagher Association and Friends of Irish Studies held the first annual MeagherFest on the state capitol grounds. The goal was to educate people of the hero on three continents, Thomas Francis Meagher.
The festival kicked off with a packed house for Paul R. Wylie’s play “Coroner’s Inquest into the Death on July 1, 1867 of Thomas Francis Meagher” a fitting tribute on the one-hundred and fifty anniversary of Meagher’s death. The festival was filled with traditional Irish music, dance, lessons in the Irish language as well as hurling demonstrations from three-time National Champions our own University of Montana Griz hurling team. One of the big highlights of the festival was the series of lectures that were given on topics ranging from the ongoing legacy of Thomas Francis Meagher to what life in Montana was like during the 1860’s.
Ireland’s Deputy Ambassador to the U.S. Mr. Michael Lonergan came out to our great state to attend the festivities and see what Montana had to offer. We were also joined by Anne Cusack who runs the Granville Hotel in Waterford City, the childhood home of
Meagher. Anne became known as Montana’s lost daughter throughout the weekend. Ireland’s own Senator Mark Daly made the trip to Montana as well and I was honored when he presented me with an Irish Tricolour flag that had been flown from the same place, 33 The Mall, that Meagher had first publicly flown it in 1848. We greatly appreciated them coming to Montana and gained strong friendships in continuing our bond between Montana and Ireland and we look forward to welcoming others from across the pond as MeagherFest will be celebrated again on June 30, 2018.
Every morning as I head into the office, I look over to the statue of Meagher, his sword aloft, standing in bold defiance in front of the state capitol, and I’m reminded of the unique ties – ties of blood, of kinship and family – between Montana and Ireland. As we look to the decades and centuries ahead, let us not forget those who have come before us. They left to find better opportunity and provide better lives for their families in a place that was affectionately called “New Ireland”. We walk in their footsteps, the footsteps of giants who never stopped trying to make this a better place. May we always be reminded of that and strive to do the same.
For over 30 years Montana has been the only states in the U.S. to fly the Irish Tricolour from our state capitol every St. Patrick’s Day. March 7 of this year marks the 170th anniversary of Meagher first flying this flag that has gone on to be a well-known symbol of Ireland around the globe. Montana will be celebrating with you this March as we again host the tricolor up the flag pole here at our state capital.