Irish immigration to Mexico
Irish Mexicans (Spanish: "Irlandés-mexicano" or "Hibernomexicano"; Irish: "Gael-Meicsiceach") are inhabitants of Mexico that are immigrants from or descendants of immigrants from Ireland. The majority of Irish immigrants to Mexico were Catholic. History. During the colonial era, a few ethnic Irish entered Mexico. Notable among them were Governor of Yucatán and Texas Hugo Oconór and the last Viceroy of New Spain, Juan O'Donojú. A few Mexican Irish communities existed in Mexican Texas prior to the Texas Revolution. They were fully integrated into Mexican society at the time and were linked to their host society through  inter-marriage, a shared language, and business ties. When revolution broke out, many Irish sided with Catholic Mexico against Protestant pro-U.S. elements. The "Batallón de San Patricio" was a largely (ethnically) Irish battalion of U.S. troops who deserted and fought alongside the Mexican Army against the United States in the Mexican–American War of 1846 to 1848. Veterans of the battalion were awarded with the Cross of Honor for their service to the Mexican government. In some cases, Irish immigrants or Americans left from California (the Irish Confederate army of Fort Yuma, Arizona during the American Civil War in  1861) and blended into Mexican society instead. Álvaro Obregón (O'Brien) was president of Mexico during 1920–1924 and Ciudad Obregón and its airport are named in his honor. Actor Anthony Quinn is another famous Mexican of Irish descent. There are also monuments in Mexico City paying tribute to those Irish who fought for Mexico in the 1800s.