Abú Media

This compelling collection of films tells the story of how the Irish changed the face of American politics charting the history of Irish-American politicians from the 1800's up to JFK's election as the first, and only, Catholic president of the United States. The series, filmed in both Ireland and America, follows the rise of Irish-American political machines in cities like New York, Boston, Kansas City and Chicago and features contributions from Pulitzer Prize winning authors such as Robert Caro and Jack Beatty. The 6 part series tell the story of 6 unique and powerful Irish-American Politicians whose ancestors all came to America as impoverished Irish immigrants. The Irish, by the very process of coming into America, changed the country. They were the first immigrant group in the US who seized upon politics as a means of making a living and they left an indelible mark on the American political landscape which stills resonates today. The series opens in New York in the mid 1800's with the story of Richard 'Boss' Croker, it continues in New York with the story of Alfred E Smith. The series also covers the Kansas Machine with the story of Boss Tom Pendergast onto Boston with James Michael Curley and Chicago with the Richard J Daley, culminating with the John F Kennedy story and his election to the highest office in the land. The Irish had finally reached the end of The Road to the Whitehouse.