Dubuque has been referred to as "Little Rome," thanks in part to its seven hills with seven religious institutions atop them. And, more specifically, it is the Irish Catholic Church that has had the strongest influence on Catholic Dubuque.
Though it began earlier, the immigration of Irish Catholics to America reached a fever pitch because of the Irish Potato Famine of 1845. Nearly a million poor Irish immigrants began to flood the East Coast of the U.S. and soon made their way West.
http://www.thonline.com/news/feature_stories/article_e1a12c26-03e0-543b-9fb6-053c1ad6df8c.html
Though it began earlier, the immigration of Irish Catholics to America reached a fever pitch because of the Irish Potato Famine of 1845. Nearly a million poor Irish immigrants began to flood the East Coast of the U.S. and soon made their way West.
http://www.thonline.com/news/feature_stories/article_e1a12c26-03e0-543b-9fb6-053c1ad6df8c.html