The Best Way to Enjoy Irish Whiskey ─ Mario Batali

The greatest influx of Irish immigrants to America came in the mid-to-late 1800s, when demand for laborers in infrastructure was at an all-time high. Irish workers contributed to projects such as the Erie Canal and the westward expansion of the railroads, and also worked as loggers, coal miners and factory workers. Despite their considerable contributions, however, the Irish still faced heavy discrimination, partially as a result of their predominantly Catholic faith. Newspapers ran cartoons depicting Irish people in defamatory and negative ways, and it was common for businesses to hang signs out front that read “No Irish Need Apply.” Today, the stigma of the Irish has faded away, but on St. Patrick’s Day we pause to celebrate this immigrant community for their contributions to our nation, and to cheer all immigrant groups for the vibrant contributions they continue to make to our ever-evolving melting pot.