An African American in Dublin

[IrishBrother]

"Eleven days and a half gone and I have crossed three thousand miles of the perilous deep. Instead of a democratic government, I am under a monarchical government. Instead of the bright, blue sky of America, I am covered with the soft, grey fog of the Emerald Isle [Ireland]. I breathe, and lo! the chattel [slave] becomes a man. I gaze around in vain for one who will question my equal humanity, claim me as his slave, or offer me an insult. I employ a cab—I am seated beside white people—I reach the hotel—I enter the same door—I am shown into the same parlour—I dine at the same table—and no one is offended... I find myself regarded and treated at every turn with the kindness and deference paid to white people. When I go to church, I am met by no upturned nose and scornful lip to tell me, 'We don't allow ******s in here!'" – from My Bondage and My Freedom.

In the 1780s and 90s, African American Tony Small was an unusual sight in Dublin. Brought to Ireland by Lord Edward Fitzgerald after Small saved his life during the American Revolution, the two shared a close friendship until Fitzgerald’s death in the 1798 rebellion for Ireland’s freedom.

In her biography of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Stella Tillyard explains Small was a slave living in South Carolina when his owners fled the state in 1781.

The American Revolution, still dragging on and moving south, had motivated them to leave and Small, who escaped slavery, stayed behind in South Carolina. He wandered onto a battlefield, where he saw Fitzgerald in British uniform, alive and unconscious. Small took him back to his small hut and dressed his wounds, saving his life. Edward offered him work as servant in return for wages.

In Dublin, Small lived with Fitzgerald in Leinster House, which today serves as the house of the Dail, the lower house of the Irish Parliament. Although slavery was common in the 18th century, few slaves traveled to Ireland. African American Small was an uncommon sight among the predominantly Irish and British people in Dublin. Often referred to as “faithful Tony,” by Fitzgerald, the two formed a close friendship.

Dublin history blog “Come here to me!” mentions a 1963 Irish Times article by John Brennan that tells of when Fitzgerald was returning home, Small warned him about British soldiers inside and saved Fitzgerald from arrest. In 1786, Fitzgerald wrote in a letter quoted in History Ireland magazine, “I was going to send Tony to London to learn how to dress hair but when he was to go, I found that I could not do without his friendly face to look at and one that I felt to love me a little.”

Small traveled with Fitzgerald to Canada, America, and much of Europe. In France, Fitzgerald met his future wife, Pamela, and was influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution, which replaced the monarchy of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette with a republic in 1792. Literature, such as Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man, and his extensive travel also influenced Fitzgerald’s politics and ideology towards republicanism.

In 1796, Fitzgerald joined the United Irishmen, which had been formed in 1791. The United Irishmen was a liberal, political organization seeking Parliamentary reform to establish an independent Irish republic. Under the leadership of Theobald Wolfe Tone, the organization was open to Irishmen of all faiths and sought to separate religion and politics. There was a rebellion in the spring of 1798, but it was crushed after a couple months by the British. Fitzgerald had played a large role in planning the insurrection and he was arrested in May and died in Newgate Prison due to denied medical treatment.

Small, who was safely in England at the time of the rebellion, was devastated by the news. Not much is known about the rest of Small’s life. A recently discovered series of correspondence from the Fitzgerald family in the National Library of Ireland helps shed some light on this period. Historian Kevin Whelan, who currently teaches at Notre Dame, used some of the letters in his article on Fitzgerald in History Ireland magazine.

The revolutionary friendship of an escaped slave and Irish Lord in 18th century Dublin | Irish Genealogy and Roots | IrishCentral

 

[filial_piety]

I've been to Ireland quite a few times...the Irish there think our Irish are crazy as cat shyt. The Irish in the US are only Irish in name

 

[IrishBrother]

I've been to Ireland quite a few times...the Irish there think our Irish are crazy as cat shyt.

Are they wrong?

Enjoy your visit btw?

 

[intilectual recipricol]

I've been to Ireland quite a few times...the Irish there think our Irish are crazy as cat shyt. The Irish in the US are only Irish in name

what about red hair?

 

[Bud Bundy]

very insightful. I was unaware of this story of friendship and loyalty.

 

[88m3]

had a couple pints at the airport one day


didn't get to check it out

 

[Sensitive Blake Griffin]

what them irish womenz lookin like tho brehs

is the weed as green as the grass

 

[fact]

I have been, love it there, I would like to die there

 

[IrishBrother]

I have been, love it there, I would like to die there

Irish ancestry?

If you could put a roof on it, it would be a paradise

 

[88m3]

@IrishBrother


you banging them cute little irish pawg bruh?

 

[IrishBrother]

@IrishBrother


you banging them cute little irish pawg bruh?

Engaged to an African queen.

But I dabbled, breh.

Loyal as f*ck. A few of my buddies are settling themselves down with local girls. I am planning on returning home soon, not sticking around longterm.

Good people though. Id recommend a visit.

 

[88m3]

Engaged to an African queen.

But I dabbled, breh.

Loyal as f*ck. A few of my buddies are settling themselves down with local girls. I am planning on returning home soon, not sticking around longterm.

Good people though. Id recommend a visit.

nice where is home? how long were you there?

 

[IrishBrother]

nice where is home? how long were you there?

Nigeria. Was brought over as a kid. First year was

But settled in after that. Can hold a convo in the language, have an Irish passport, even speak with a Dublin accent.

After I get married I hope to return back to west Africa.

Weddings looking like costing me 30 large. In euro

So plans are on the backburner at the moment.

 

[88m3]

Nigeria. Was brought over as a kid. First year was

But settled in after that. Can hold a convo in the language, have an Irish passport, even speak with a Dublin accent.

After I get married I hope to return back to west Africa.

Weddings looking like costing me 30 large. In euro

So plans are on the backburner at the moment.

Very cool man, congrats.

 

[IrishBrother]

Very cool man, congrats.

Thanks, breh.

How did you end up in the airport bar but not the place itself?

That bar must be one of the most expensive in the globe!