Taoiseach's St. Patrick's Day mention spotlights Irish orphan who became New Orleans' 'Mother of Orphans'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered a St. Patrick's Day tribute to President Donald Trump that turned a spotlight on an Irish immigrant whose life story had long been celebrated locally but rarely made national headlines. Martin highlighted Margaret Haughery, the 19th-century philanthropist known as the "Mother of Orphans," as an example of an Irish immigrant who greatly enriched America, according to irishcentral.com.

irishcentral.comThe Leitrim orphan girl who became New Orleans' "Mother of Orphans"

"Renewed attention on Margaret Haughery's remarkable life follows Taoiseach Micheál Martin's St Patrick's Day tribute to President Trump."

Haughery was born in Carrigallen, County Leitrim, in 1813 and emigrated to the United States at age five. Orphaned at nine and later losing her husband and daughter to cholera and yellow fever in New Orleans, she nevertheless rose from tragedy to become a successful businesswoman, irishstar.com reported.

irishstar.comMargaret Haughery: The Irish immigrant who became New Orleans' 'Mother of Orphans'

"She devoted her life to serving the poor."

Using the wealth she accumulated from bakeries and other ventures, Haughery funded orphanages and charitable institutions across New Orleans. irishstar.com noted that her story, presented by Martin during the White House meeting, underscored the deep ties between Ireland and the United States through the lives of immigrants who built communities in their new home. The tribute brought national attention to a figure long revered locally as the city's "Mother of Orphans."