George Washington and the Irish - by Niall O'Dowd (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Discover the untold story of the vital role the Irish played in the American Revolution.

George Washington changed the world and saved democracy by defeating the British during the American War of Independence. The Irish role in the American Revolution, the war for the ages, has never been correctly reported. Because many of the Irish who fought were poor and illiterate and left no memoirs, their stories and role have never been told. Until now.

The Irish played a huge role in the American Revolution, not just on the battlefield but also in the field hospitals and in the framing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn the story of the famous spy Hercules Mulligan, who saved George Washington's life on two occasions and who was famously portrayed by Okieriete Onaodowan in Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash hit Hamilton. Discover the story of Edward Hoban, a carpenter from Ireland who Washington tasked with building the most famous residence in the world: the White House.

Niall O'Dowd, author of Lincoln and the Irish and A New Ireland, takes readers on a journey into the unexplored contributions of the Irish in the American Revolution and behind the scenes of the relationships of some of those men and women with the first president of the United States. These unsung heroes of the American Revolution have never gotten their due, never had their story told, until now, in George Washington and the Irish.

About the Author

Niall O'Dowd is the founder of four successful Irish American publications and has been honored both by the Irish government with its Distinguished Services Award and University College Dublin with an honorary doctorate for his role in the Irish peace process. He has been the subject of a PBS documentary and a book entitled Daring Diplomacy about his role in that process. Currently his story has been optioned by Oscar winning director Terry George (In the Name of the Father and Hotel Rwanda) based on a Washington Post profile of O'Dowds secret role as intermediary between the IRA and President Bill Clinton. He was also named in New York's Most Influential People in 2008 and a "Person You Should Know" by CNN. He is the author of several books, including Lincoln and the Irish and A New Ireland.