Personal journals and gravestones indicate that much of Johnston's Army was Irish, as was the father of Utah mining, Col. Patrick Edward Connor, and most of his California Volunteers. Connor was sent to Utah during the Civil War to protect mail routes and establish Fort Douglas. He and his men also perpetrated the infamous Bear River Massacre against Utah American Indians. To keep his men from becoming idle, he encouraged them to prospect in the local hills. Many of the veins they mapped out became the famous silver and copper mines their countrymen dug later.

Contrary to popular belief, McDonough said, the Irish were part of the transcontinental railroad from both the east and the west. They laid track alongside the Chinese from California. Once railroad work was done, they moved to the mining towns, helping to establish Park City, Bingham and Silver Reef. Irish miners were also some of the first skiers in Park City.

Howard Egan set up some of the first post offices in the territory, including Pony Express stations. It is believed that he carried the first mail from the Pony Express into Salt Lake City. Irishmen also aided in the surveying and erection of the transcontinental telegraph lines that put the Pony Express out of business.

James Dwyer opened Utah's first bookstore in Salt Lake City, and the reading room has been called the first library west of the Missouri River.

The Irish were instrumental in establishing Utah's Catholic community. Many of the early clergy were Irish, and donations from Irish miners helped build St. Mary's of the Assumption in Park City, one of the oldest Catholic churches in Utah. Donations from wealthy Irish also made the Cathedral of the Madeleine possible, which, according to historian Frederick S. Buchanan, was a major architectural feat for such a numerically small diocese. Even today, several of the valley's clergy were born in Ireland, including Father Carley.

These stories are important to remember, Welch said, because their sacrifices created the life and faith that Irish Americans enjoy today. While many members of the Hibernian Society are Catholic, membership is open to everyone, and it was intentionally founded as a nonsectarian group, Father Carley said.

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