New Orleans was a significant American port of entry for the Irish. New Orleans was appealing to Irish immigrants because of the Catholic traditions and anti-British sentiments of early French and Spanish residents. In addition, passage to New Orleans was cheap; cotton ships, after unloading their cargo in Liverpool, needed to fill their holds for the return trip. By 1860, approximately 20% of the New Orleans population was Irish-born. My husband and I are spending a few days in New Orleans as we try to escape winter in Minnesota. We visited an interesting little museum in the French Quarter which highlights the history and culture of Irish in the city.  The following information was adapted from the January 2013 issue of New Orleans Magazine: Last fall, the Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans quietly opened at 933 Conti St in a newly built structure that, from the street, resembles a historic French Quarter home but inside houses exhibitions and event space. It is a project of passion for Matthew Ahearn, the local consturction contractor who created it. "I want to honor this Irish legacy and heritage in New Orleans," he says. "I grew up with a sense of history and a sense of ancestral gratitude, but it seemed like you never heard about Irish heritage here unless it's St Patrick's Day." The new Irish Cultural Museum is small by almost any standard, though it's fully of different approaches to telling the story of the Irish in new Orleans. This includes: interactive kiosks; static displays and exhibitions; archival photos, maps and newspaper clipping; a portrait collection; and a library. The museum has also hosted traditional Celtic dances and other gatherings in its courtyard. Ultimately, Ahearn hopes his new museum will help tell a fuller story of the entire city. "You learn about New Orleans as you piece it together from different perspectives," he says. Find details about the Irish Cultural Museum at http://icmnola.com.  At least for now, museum hours are somewhat limited (generally Friday-Sunday).