IRISH

Lace making is a folk art that came to Texas with the Irish immigrants.

Around 1828 Irish families settled in small groups in many areas of Texas, before Texas independence from Mexico.   The Irish Catholics were thought to be good, loyal, Catholics by the Mexican government.  However, the Irish became important members of the Texas army.   Many of the Irish colonists fought against Santa Anna in the Texas revolution.  

Fifty years later, people living in Ireland suffered many hardships as a result of a famine.  Many Irish came to Texas and other parts of the United States in the late part of the 19th century.  Today more than half a million Texans claim to be Irish.