Leitrim to the Big Apple: Irish Immigration Then vs Now

In a candid conversation on St. Patrick’s Day before the parade, Noeleen Bohan Mc Govern, president of the Leitrim Society in New York and a native of Cloone, reflects on the shifting tides of Irish immigration to the United States, contrasting her experience of moving in 1985 with the barriers facing today's hopefuls.

This year marks the first time in a many years that all the societies from the 32 counties of Ireland had a president in attendance at the United Irish Counties function. Bohan McGovern sees this as a reflection of changing times within the Irish community abroad.

"When we came out in 1985, people were taking a chance," Bohan McGovern recalls. "They got jobs and eventually got green cards. There were no visas back then." She references the Donnelly & Morrison Visas, two of the few opportunities that helped legalize many Irish immigrants in the late '80s, a stark contrast to today's landscape.

Bohan McGovern highlights a significant decline in Irish migration to the U.S., attributing it to stricter immigration policies. "The new administration is very adamant about not letting anybody in here unless you're completely legal," she states. Without accessible visa programs, many Irish are now looking to Canada and Australia instead. "But this is really the place to be," she adds, comparing the economic landscape of the U.S. to its northern neighbor.

For those who do want to move, the challenges are steep. "It's impossible to find jobs because you need to have papers. If you don’t, you end up working in the hospitality industry or doing something below your education level," she explains. This is particularly frustrating for young Irish professionals who have university degrees and ambitions beyond traditional immigrant labor roles.

Bohan McGovern's own journey was one of persistence and opportunity. Arriving on a tourist visa, she secured a job with the Canadian Consulate, which sponsored her legal stay. "I actually got a job with the Canadian consulate, and I worked with the Canadian government for 11 years." Through this, she obtained a diplomatic visa and was able to build a stable career without fear of deportation.

However, she acknowledges that many of her peers lived in uncertainty. "A lot of my good friends couldn’t go home for my wedding in 1988 because they feared they wouldn’t be able to get back in again." The fear of deportation kept many in the shadows, a reality that persists for undocumented immigrants today.

Reflecting on her early days in America, Bohan McGovern describes the camaraderie among Irish immigrants. "We all went and we went to people that were here just months before us and stayed with friends and there could be 6 people in an apartment. Everyone helped each other out to find a job. Ireland was bad back then, especially Leitrim. There was nothing happening."

She recalls how dire the economy was in Ireland at the time. "I remember I was in a job for one year after college before I came over here. You got your wage on a Friday, and by Tuesday it was gone. The wages were really bad. There was very little work. Everything was, ‘Go to America, go to America.’ The crowd that went before us were all calling back saying, ‘You have to come, you have to come.’"

“Leitrim, despite being one of the poorest counties in Ireland, has a strong reputation for success in New York. New York City has so many entrepreneurs that are actually originally from Leitrim. Bar owners, construction companies. Many of the famous bars in New York are owned by Leitrim men. They always say Leitrim is the most generous county. For one of the poorest counties in Ireland, they are looked at as the most successful people here in New York."

Bohan McGovern also reflects on the emotional toll of immigration. "When you went home to Ireland, you cried your eyes out when you got there because you were so happy to be home. And then, about three or four days before leaving, my mother would start crying. Every time she turned her back to you, you'd see her crying at the sink because she knew you were getting ready to leave and then she’d sprinkle us with holy water before we left."

Before the age of mobile phones, staying connected was a logistical challenge. "I would schedule it. ‘Mom and Dad, I'll call you on Sunday at two o’clock to the phone box in Cloone.’ So I would call Higgins’s shop and they’d answer and put it through to the phone box outside where my parents would be waiting. And I had to make sure I had enough quarters collected during the week to make the call because I knew they’d be waiting."

Despite the obstacles, Bohan McGovern remains an advocate for the Irish community in New York, ensuring that those who do make the journey have a sense of home. With the Leitrim Society hosting events that draw county councillors, community leaders, and distinguished honorees, the society continues to champion the rich cultural ties between Ireland and the U.S.

READ MORE Leitrim reports zero road deaths in 2025