Hundreds of Irish mineworkers and their families fled Pennsylvania’s Coal Region in the violent and turbulent 1870s. Many of them traveled 1,700 miles west to the silver mining boomtown of Leadville, Colorado – and some brought their legal jeopardy with them. Among the refugees were men accused of involvement in Molly Maguire activity in the anthracite coal fields.

In this fascinating episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American Podcast, hosts Damian Shiels and Fin Dwyer bring on Professor Jim Walsh of the University of Colorado, Denver to discuss the history of the mining community of Leadville, Colorado.

As part of the episode into Dr. Walsh’s research into the Irish mineworkers who labored in the silver mines at Leadville in the 19th century, he discusses many connections back to the anthracite mines of Pennsylvania.

Check out the full episode below:

And listen to my previous episode about the Irish experience in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region in the 19th century here. 

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Read more about Irish history in the Coal Region

A Schuylkill County mine superintendent reveals discomfort and fear of Irish mineworkers in rural mining village | 1864

Threatening letter from a “Molly Maguire” to the editor of the Shenandoah Herald | 1875

“A heroic soldier” – A moving obituary for Major Joseph Anthony | 1885

“The Mollies’ Wake” – Alexander Campbell’s wake and funeral in June 1877

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