From 26-28 June Fort Benton became the Hibernian Capital of the World. Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians assembled from across Montana and as far away as Buffalo, New York, to pay homage to General Thomas Francis Meagher. Over the weekend, events included Paul Wylie's play Friday evening, "A Coroner's Inquest Into the Death of Thomas Francis Meagher"; the Summer Celebration Parade on Saturday morning with Hibernian marchers, dancers, and musical groups from Anaconda, Helena, and Great Falls; the Meagher Memorial Dinner With an Irish Flair attended by over 100 on Saturday evening with main speaker Lt. Governor John Bohlinger and Irish dances by Helena and Anaconda ladies and lassies; and the Dedication of the Thomas Francis Meagher Memorial Sunday afternoon at the historic steamboat levee with singing of the U.S. and Irish National Anthems by Jack Kelly and speechifying by General Meagher (played by Frank Crowley) and Governor Brian O'Schweitzer.
The Hiberian Banquet for General Meagher.
The Thomas Francis Meagher Monument was dedicated Sunday afternoon, June 28th.
The Second Cavalry Association Reenactment Group at the Dedication Ceremony
General Thomas Francis Meagher on the Fort Benton Levee Shortly Before His Death in 1867
Author Paul Wylie Signs Copies of his Excellent Meagher biography, The Irish General.
