Who was The First Irish-Born Mayor of Boston?

Céad Míle Fáilte – and welcome to your Letter from Ireland for this week. I’m writing today from Boston, Massachusetts, where we’re wrapping up our incredible 3-week journey across North America. We’re looking forward to traveling home later today, but I must say, we’ve had a wonderful time meeting so many readers of this Letter and Green Room members. Thank you all for your welcome, hospitality, and warmth – it was truly a special experience!

As I look out my bedroom window on this mild autumn day, I can see the trees turning a beautiful yellow fall color. There’s a special energy here in Boston, a mix of the historic and the contemporary that makes this city unique. How are things in your part of the world today?

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting to the Boston Tiara Genealogical Group. Sharing stories of Irish heritage with people so passionate about their family histories was a wonderful experience, reminding me of the deep connections between Ireland and this remarkable city.

From Cork to Boston: The O’Brien Family’s Journey.

Walking the historic streets of Boston, I’ve thought of all the Irish men and women who came before us, with dreams of a better future. It’s brought to mind a story I’ve been meaning to share from a while back – a tale of one Cork man who rose from humble immigrant beginnings to the highest office in this city. That man was Hugh O’Brien

Hugh was born in County Cork in 1827, and would become the first Irish-born mayor of Boston. When he was born, Boston was a city of about 61,000 people, with the Irish making up less than 5% of the population. But change was coming fast.

In 1832, five-year-old Hugh and his family set sail for America, joining a slowly-growing tide of Irish immigrants. They likely departed from Cork Harbour, boarding a sailing ship for a journey that would take 6 to 8 weeks. Conditions would have been challenging – crowded and often unsanitary, with passengers responsible for their own food and bedding.

The Rise of Boston’s Irish Community.

By the time they arrived, Boston’s population had grown to around 70,000, with the Irish community slowly increasing in proportion. Life wasn’t easy for Irish immigrants, who faced discrimination and poverty, often living in overcrowded tenements in areas like the North End. 

As Hugh grew up, so did the Irish population in Boston. By 1850, when Hugh was in his early twenties, the city’s population had swelled to nearly 137,000, with about 35% being Irish-born – a testament to the impact of the Great Hunger and subsequent emigration from Ireland.

Young Hugh proved to be bright and industrious. He excelled in Boston’s public schools and at twelve began an apprenticeship with a printer, learning a skill that would serve him well. As he grew into a young man, he became increasingly involved in his community and local politics, serving as president of the Charitable Irish Society in 1876.

Hugh O’Brien: First Irish-Born Mayor of Boston.

In 1884, more than five decades after arriving in Boston as a small boy, Hugh O’Brien achieved something remarkable. He was elected as the 31st Mayor of Boston, becoming not only the first Irish-born mayor but also the first Catholic to hold the office. It was a watershed moment for the Irish community – not just in Boston, but across North America, a sign that they had truly arrived as a political force.

At the time of O’Brien’s election, Boston’s population had grown to over 390,000. While the percentage of Irish-born residents had decreased to about 20%, this was largely due to the rise of second-generation Irish-Americans. The Irish community, both immigrants and their children, had become a formidable presence in the city.

O’Brien served four consecutive one-year terms as mayor of Boston, from 1885 to 1888. He was known for his fiscal conservatism and efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure, overseeing the completion of the Back Bay district, the construction of a new public library, and improvements to the city’s park system.

But perhaps more important than any single policy was what O’Brien’s election represented. It marked the culmination of decades of struggle and perseverance by the Irish community in Boston. From being marginalised and discriminated against, they had risen to hold the highest office in the city. O’Brien’s success paved the way for future generations of Irish-American politicians in Boston and across the USA.

By the turn of the century, just over a decade after O’Brien left office, Boston’s population had surged to nearly 561,000. About 35% of these Bostonians were of Irish descent, including both immigrants and their American-born children. The Irish had become an integral part of Boston’s fabric, their influence felt in politics, culture, and every aspect of city life.

As I prepare to leave Boston today, I’m struck by how the journey of Hugh O’Brien reflects the broader Irish experience in this city – a story of growth, challenges, and ultimate triumph. From that difficult sea voyage in 1832 to the office of the mayor of Boston, his life encapsulates a journey that many people in Ireland would have considered impossible – beyond comprehension.

I hope Hugh O’Brien’s tale and the story of Boston’s changing face have brought a bit of inspiration to your day, wherever you might be reading this. Perhaps it has sparked curiosity about your own family’s journey from Ireland to wherever you now call home. If you have any stories of your own Irish ancestors who made their mark in a new land, I’d love to hear them in the comment section below.

We will leave Boston and America with a renewed sense of energy and focus – it’s easy to see how the achievements of Hugh O’Brien and others like him percolated down to the many wonderful people that we met along our own journey.

Until next time, stay well.

Slán for now,

Mike.