The Lark: Vol 6, Issue 5, July 2026

For the spring 2026 semester, Bob McMahon and Joe Petteruti developed and facilitated a course on Irish and Italian immigration to Rhode Island. The class focused on exploring the experiences of two of the largest groups who started arriving in great numbers in the nineteenth century.

"It has sparked an interest to learn more about my roots with a trip to the old sod in my future.
Thanks for an interesting class experience."
Kate McGovern

Looking first at their emigration, the class asked, “What conditions in their countries inspired them to leave? How did they get to the US and to Rhode Island?”

They then examined their experiences in Rhode Island. Where did they settle? What discrimination did they face? How did they sustain cultural identities through churches, schools, social clubs, food, and music? Where did they work? How did politics become a pathway for success? We will also look at some “success stories” from Irish and Italian immigrant families in business and politics.

"Diane and I loved the class, you participants and our lively informative interactions.
It was a great learning experience for us, and guess what . . . no test, no term paper and everyone got an "A"!"
Ed and Diane Iannuccilli

Barbara Barnes: The class covered a broad range of topics – each so important to complete a big picture for me of Irish and Italian immigration here in RI. The best:

• History – I lacked so much at the start and now have a clearer understanding of events and people.
• First-hand life experience and personal research experience: Ed, Joe, Bob, Emily, Ray McKenna: Amazing
• Reinforcement of the importance of Family – this idea permeated so many discussions.
• Better understanding of the broad range of community and cultural contributions of both immigrant groups

I think we were a small but mighty class with leaders who inspired and encouraged us. How lucky we have been!

Emily Webber: I thoroughly enjoyed my first in-person LLC class.

Both Joe and Bob were extremely well prepared and engaging in their presentations and delivered some very interesting facts and figures which were astonishing. I also felt like both coordinators endeavored to include all participants in the discussions. We were encouraged to take part in whatever manner felt comfortable for us. I would highly recommend this class to anyone considering it!

Martha Cussler: Learned so much! I have been an LLC member for a long time – way back when it was BCLIR. This has been my favorite class. As a non-native Rhode Islander, I learned so much about two of the most important immigrant groups that developed and built this state. Move over, Yankees!

Joe Petteruti: What I learned is the number of facets that go into the story of Irish and Italian immigration. There is the sadness of leaving one’s homeland, the horrors encountered on the steam ships crossing the Atlantic and then the discrimination that faced the new arrivals. Balance that with the ability to work hard and to move up the ladder. I especially loved the story of the two sisters who arrived from Rome and became famous with their exclusive dressmaking shop on Broadway in Providence. And I was so heartened to learn about the number of RI politicians, both Irish and Italian. who made waves both locally and nationally. Names like mayor Joseph A. Doorley and Senator John O. Pastors live large in RI history.

Sidney Okashige: It’s interesting how much a third generation Japanese American from Hawaii could learn from an LLC class on Irish and Italian immigration. I learned what all diasporas probably have in common—aspiration, hardship, oppression by another ethnic group, community solidarity, and deep love of their ancestry. It was an unexpected lesson in diversity and inclusion.

From “The Lament of the Irish Emigrant”

“I am bidding you a long farewell, my Mary, kind and true,
But I’ll not forget you, darling, in the land I am going to;
They say there’s bread and work for all and the sun shines ever there,
But I’ll not forget old Ireland, were it twenty times as fair.”

NOTE: The original text of this ballad was written by Lady Helena Selina Blackwood Dufferin (nee Sheridan) who was born in Ireland in 1807 and died in England in 1867. Learn more: https://www.evergreentrad.com/the-lament-of-the-irish-emigrant/

Photo by Diana Grady