The name Irish Channel is a bit of a misnomer. Although this historic neighborhood, which borders the Garden Districts, was settled by poor Irish immigrants fleeing the 1840s potato famine, many German and black residents have coexisted here in a truly multicultural gumbo. This is still a working-class cluster of shotgun houses and you may not want to walk around alone at night, but in general it’s pleasant for ambling. Come St Patty’s Day, a big block party takes over Constance St in front of Parasol’s.
On a historical note, wage-earning Irish were widely regarded as more economical than slaves, particularly for dangerous assignments, since it cost nothing to replace an Irish laborer who died on the job.
