The History of The Irish...Worldwide
'No Irish Need Apply'
As some will be aware, I am chiefly researching P.S. Gilmore at present. However, while researching Irish musicians and their contribution to the American Civil War, I started researching another topic slightly related to the poor musicians -- namely, the historic prevalence of "No Irish Need Apply" (NINA) signs. On the subject of "No Irish Need Apply," there is a group of academics who question its very existence.
In response, I did a little survey through the New York Times archives and the Library of Congress newspapers. Such signs seem to have been widespread, and it appears that these attitudes were active in the U.S., Britain, and even Ireland itself. This is not an accurate survey, but rather a random search through both archives. It does, however, indicate that only did "NINA" adverts and attitudes occur, but they were also widespread. I was aware of Irish discrimination specifically, of course, because of Gilmore's experience.
Here is a selection of links which show quite clearly that the "Irish Need Not Apply" sentiment is more than just historical myth:
For those of you who wish to explore this subject further, please view the old Western series, "High Chapparal," on YouTube. The episode is called, "No Irish Need Apply." Where did this come from? Are there other referenes to this topic from Hollywood?
Am I premature in declaring that this attitude existed throughout the U.S. and beyond. Any comments?
Regards, Jarlath
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Comment by Jarlath MacNamara on June 7, 2013 at 5:56pm
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Also what about the NO BLACKS , NO JEWS , NO DOGS AND NO IRISH NEED APPLY . Did these signs exist ever or were these a version of the No Irish need apply signs
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Comment by Neil F. Cosgrove on June 7, 2013 at 6:14pm
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Jarlath:
I am quoting from "The Devil's Own Work" by Barnet Schecter (see page 37) Also see Tyler Anbinder's book "Five Points" page 128 I don't know of any dedicated study on this
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Comment by Patricia Burns on June 7, 2013 at 6:15pm
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Jarlath, adding insult to actual injury, the signs my father saw actually said, "No dogs nor Irish need apply."
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Comment by Sarah Nagle on December 26, 2013 at 7:39pm
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I realize I'm commenting on an almost dead thread. But if you are still looking for specific 19th century evidence of anti-Irish discrimination --and pretty much anti everything discrimination-- I think I have an old newspaper from the 1880s (a local New York rag... definitely a tabloid style every-man paper, NOT the "paper of record" you'll find in an archive) that has the famous N.I.N.A. ads. When I have a chance I'd be happy to dig it out and scan it for you. If you're interested in discrimination in the 20th century the story gets a lot more interesting and I'd be happy to give you some references that aren't well-known now, but were widely distributed back in the day.
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