Tucson's Founding Irishman
Tucson is my home after being raised in Brooklyn, New York. Tucson was founded in 1775 by the Spanish Army, led by one Hugo O'Conor.
Hugo, O'Conor? Well, the first name sounds Spanish. General O'Conor, as with many displaced Irish were known as the Wild Geese. They felt persecuted in Ireland, because of their Catholocism and would fight in "Catholic" armies, Spain, France, Habsburg Empire, etc.
Until the 19th Century, dynasty not nationhood could sometimes be more important. It was not strange for Scots for example to be serving as far away as Russia. Therefore, there was nothing out of place about Hugo O'Conor leading a Spanish troop in the Arizona wilderness. Troops were needed. The Apaches tended not to approve.
Our main library has a plaque from Irish Republic Mary Robinson to honor this event.
Hugo, O'Conor? Well, the first name sounds Spanish. General O'Conor, as with many displaced Irish were known as the Wild Geese. They felt persecuted in Ireland, because of their Catholocism and would fight in "Catholic" armies, Spain, France, Habsburg Empire, etc.
Until the 19th Century, dynasty not nationhood could sometimes be more important. It was not strange for Scots for example to be serving as far away as Russia. Therefore, there was nothing out of place about Hugo O'Conor leading a Spanish troop in the Arizona wilderness. Troops were needed. The Apaches tended not to approve.
Our main library has a plaque from Irish Republic Mary Robinson to honor this event.
Labels: Tucson, Wild Geese
posted by CactusCorner at 8:35 AM
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