Student Ambassador Cayden Kirkpatrick explores the historic bond between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland. From visiting the Kindred Spirits statue to studying at UCC through the Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship, he shares his journey and the lasting impact of this connection.
On a rainy December day, I took the train from Cork to Midleton to visit Kindred Spirits, a statue that honours my Choctaw ancestors and serves as a reminder of the connection between our peoples.
In 1847, during the Great Famine in Ireland, members of the Choctaw Nation came together to send $170, a significant sum at the time, to Ireland for famine relief. What made this gift especially remarkable was that the Choctaw people had endured the Trail of Tears in the 1830s, less than twenty years prior. Recognising the immense suffering of the Irish, this gift came from a place of deep understanding, as the Choctaw could empathise with the Irish experience.
Since then, the Irish people have repeatedly honoured the Choctaw gift, most notably through the Kindred Spirits statue. Created by Irish artist Alex Pentek, the sculpture consists of eight large stainless-steel feathers emerging from the ground—symbolising the Choctaw people and paying homage to their generosity.
A plaque at Kindred Spirits further explains the history between the Choctaw and Irish people, as well as the creation of the monument. For more information about the Choctaw-Irish connection, visit the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma website: Choctaw Nation – Irish Connection. Additionally, more details about University College Cork’s Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship Programme can be found here: UCC Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship.
The Choctaw-Irish connection has endured for generations and holds a special place in Choctaw tribal history. The generosity of the Choctaw is well documented within the tribe, and this bond has been strengthened by official visits and ongoing cultural exchanges. For example:
- The Choctaw Nation welcomed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in 2018.
- Choctaw Chief Gary Batton visited Ireland in 2017, including a stop at Kindred Spirits.
In 2024, a new sculpture, Eternal Heart, was unveiled in Tuskahoma, the capital of the Choctaw Nation, as a companion to Kindred Spirits. This further cements the enduring friendship between our two nations.
🖼 Eternal Heart sculpture in Tuskahoma via RTE: “Choctaw Nation unveils ‘eternal’ sculpture dedicated to Ireland”
I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this legacy. Since September, I have been studying at University College Cork, pursuing a Master of Arts in Philosophy. This opportunity is entirely thanks to my tribal nation, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and UCC.
Started in 2017, the Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship Programme sends two Choctaw students each year to earn a master’s degree at UCC’s College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences. This scholarship is a true testament to the enduring relationship between our peoples.
This was not my first time visiting the statue. I was fortunate enough to see it during a family trip to Ireland in 2015. Even though my recent December visit was not my first experience, I was once again touched by the gratitude of the Irish people in remembering the Choctaw gift.
For me, this experience represents the kindness and generosity of the Irish people, something I have witnessed firsthand during my studies. Many Irish people I have met are aware of my tribe’s history, and even after nearly 200 years, they remain remarkably grateful for the Choctaw gift.
While the Choctaw and Irish peoples bonded over shared struggles in the 19th century, our friendship is ultimately built on the universal values of compassion, generosity, and solidarity. Today, this spirit continues to define our relationship.
Whether or not you are Choctaw, Ireland offers an incredible space for cultural exchange, connection, and a truly welcoming experience.
Cayden Kirkpatrick is studying at UCC via Education in Ireland