Roots of Irish American Identity

Merriam-Webster defines hyphenate as  

both a transitive verb: to connect (words) or divide (a word, such as a word at the end of a line of print) with a hyphen 

and 

noun: a person who performs more than one function (such as a producer-director in filmmaking). 

However, in the first half of the 20^th century, the term hyphenate also referred to someone of both American and another national or cultural identity, often as an insult. Throughout the waves of Irish immigration to the states, Irish and American cultures blended together.  

Join Cassandra McGinnis for an exploration of the creation of this complex identity by weaving language, traditions, art, and civic engagement to maintain a sense of connection to Ireland, while creating a new life in the States.  

Cassandra McGinnis is the Local History Specialist for Copper-Siegel Community Library and Sharpsburg Community Library, as well as the Historic Archivist for Wilkinsburg Public Library. They hold a degree in Public History and Historic Preservation from Northern Virginia Community College, and degrees in Art History and Gaeilge (Irish Language) from University of Pittsburgh. They are currently pursuing research in the development of Irish and Irish-American cultural identities through representation in visual art.