To-day in 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts
There were Irish names on that original parchment. Among the citizens who signed what could have been a death warrant, were at least eight Irish Americans, three born in Ireland. Many of them were Orange Irish or Scotch Irish who hated monarchy, and whose spirit of independence is at the heart of the Republics they would crucially help found in America and Ireland. Their brand of Irish defiance saw right through British imperialism, and used Enlightenment Republican ideals to create alternative society for free people
One of the Irish Americans was Charles Carroll of Carrollton in Maryland. (September 19, 1737 – November 14, 1832) was the only Catholic and the longest-lived signatory of the Declaration of Independence, dying at age 95. He was held up by Catholic Americans as tangible proof of their patriotism and loyalty in America which was run by a largely WASP establishment until JFK’s election. He is descended from the noble Gaelic family of Clan Ó Cearbhail who trace their origin to The Cianachta, a tribe recorded to the third century. Read the full story on the eight signatories on Irish Central.