Irish Mexicans (Spanish: Irlandés-mexicano or Hibernomexicano; Irish: Gael-Meicsiceach) are inhabitants of Mexico that are immigrants from or descendants of immigrants from Ireland. The majority of Irish immigrants to Mexico were Catholic.
A few Mexican Irish communities existed in Mexican Texas prior to the Texas Revolution. They were fully integrated into Mexican society at the time and were linked to their host society through inter-marriage, a shared language, and business ties.[2] When revolution broke out, many Irish sided with Catholic Mexico against Protestant pro-U.S. elements.[3] The Saint Patrick's Battalion was a Mexican Army unit of mostly Irish soldiers who deserted from the U.S. army during the Mexican–American War.[4] Veterans of the battalion were awarded with the Cross of Honor for their service to the Mexican government.[5] In some cases, Irish immigrants or Americans left from California (the Irish Confederate army of Fort Yuma, Arizona during the American Civil War in 1861) and blended into Mexican society instead.[6]
Álvaro Obregón (O'Brien) was president of Mexico during 1920–1924 and Ciudad Obregón and its airport are named in his honor. Actor Anthony Quinn is another famous Mexican of Irish descent. There are also monuments in Mexico City paying tribute to those Irish who fought for Mexico in the 1800s.[7]
Notable Irish Mexicans
Louis CK, Mexican born comedian and actor, mother was Irish American, father was Mexican/Hungarian. CK (Szekely) was partially raised in Mexico City[8]
Margo, Mexican actress and dancer of Irish descent
