A decade ago, Colorado author Jim Walsh uncovered a neglected chapter of 19th-century Rocky Mountain immigration while researching his dissertation. His exploration led him to Evergreen Cemetery in Leadville, where he discovered the vast, wooded expanse known as the “Catholic Free” section. Here lie more than a thousand young Irish immigrants—many barely 26 years old—interred in unmarked graves.
During the gold and silver booms of the 1870s and 1880s, waves of impoverished Irish miners arrived in Colorado, hoping for prosperity but often succumbing to harsh conditions and untimely deaths. Now a Clinical Assistant Professor at CU Denver specializing in labor and immigration history, Walsh has made it his mission to honor these overlooked lives.
“Between 1878 and 1890, hundreds of destitute Irish—many hailing from County Cork’s Beara Peninsula—were laid to rest in sunken, unmarked graves at Evergreen Cemetery,” Walsh explains. “Infants and children rest among them, victims of dangerous work and poverty. Even a massive 1880 miners’ strike, led by Irishman Michael Mooney, failed to secure better pay or safer conditions. This October, we’ll shine a light on their stories and consecrate this ground as sacred Irish heritage.”
CU Denver’s Political Science Department has joined Irish Network Colorado, the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin, and the Molly Brown House Museum to host “Colorado Irish History Weekend,” celebrating Irish and multicultural contributions to the Rocky Mountains and paying tribute to Leadville’s unmarked pauper graves. Support also comes from the Romero Theater Troupe, Auraria Casa Mayan Heritage Society, and the Rocky Mountain Labor Education and Arts Collective. Local Celtic musicians will perform at various events, with details still being finalized.
Event Schedule
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Thursday, September 29
Reception & Lecture: “The Irish in Colorado” at the Molly Brown House Museum, featuring Adrian Farrell, Consul General of Ireland in Austin, and Andrea Malcomb, museum director. (RSVP required) -
Friday, September 30
Screening: 1916: The Irish Rebellion at Auraria’s Student Commons Building, introduced by Adrian Farrell and Jim Lyons, Denver’s Honorary Consul of Ireland. A guided tour of the Ninth Street Historic Park follows, with commentary by Jim Walsh and Gregorio Alcaro of Auraria Casa Mayan Heritage Society. (RSVP required at irishnetwork.com) -
Saturday, October 1
Leadville opens its arms to Denver-area visitors with:-
11:00 AM: St. Patrick’s Practice Day Parade on Harrison Avenue
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1:00 PM: Presentation at Annunciation Church—Adrian Farrell welcomes attendees, followed by Jim Walsh’s talk, “The Irish Road to Leadville”
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Historic Walking Tour: Led by Walsh and Colorado statesman Dennis Gallagher
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3:00 PM: Commemoration at the “Old Catholic” section of Evergreen Cemetery with Father Rafael Torres-Rico, Adrian Farrell, Jim Walsh, and Dennis Gallagher
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Evening Discussion: “Imagining a Memorial to Irish Immigrants in the Rocky Mountain West,” hosted by Maura Clare of Irish Network Colorado
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Celebration: Festivities at Wilde’s Green Hour with Luke Finken, former Leadville city councilman and parade organizer
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For full event details and reservation information (required for evening gatherings in Denver), please visit the Colorado Irish Network website. Questions may be directed to Maura Clare, President of Irish Network Colorado,
