Main Pic: Historian Dakota Goodhouse at Micí MacGabhann’s house in County Donegal, for Éire agus na Chéad Náisiúin
A new TG4 series will explore the history and connection between Ireland and the Native American community.
Éire agus Na Chéad Naisiúin will detail the never-before told story of the Irish people’s interactions with the First Nations of North America.
It wil both examine the Irish immigrant experience through the lens of Irish people, and the indigenous Americans who were impacted by the arrival of the Irish.
According to the documentary’s creators, Ronin Films, it will explore the “complex and often contradictory roles Irish settlers played in shaping Native American history” – and show how Irish emigrants to America were “both the oppressed and the oppressors.”
Indeed, many Irish emigrants who needed work joined the US Army – an Army that waged war on Native Americans when gold was discovered in the Black Hills, culminating in the bloody Battle of Little Bighorn.
It will also detail the story of those who showed great empathy and understanding with the First Nations people – including that of Donegal native, Micí MacGabhann.
Micí was one of the Irish emigrants who identified with Native American struggles, and seeing the parallels between the First Nations and the people of Ireland.
Lakota tribe historian Dakota Wind Goodhouse visits Micí MacGabhann’s familial home in Donegal as part of the documentary, and offers “a powerful call for reconciliation and remembrance” at the end of the documentary also.
“We were both friends and foes of the Native Americans. Having been exiled from our own land, we settled in theirs,” the documentary makers said.
Éire agus Na Chéad Naisiúin will be broadcast on TG4 later this year as part of the station’s Autumn schedule.
New TG4 series to explore Donegal man’s link to Native American history was last modified: September 7th, 2025 by Staff Writer