Cloud City

Documentary On Newstalk presents a new documentary by producer Pavel Barter.  Telling the forgotten story of how Irish immigrants built a Wild West mining town two miles high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in Cloud City. 

This portrait of Irish diaspora, in one of America’s most ruthless settlements, explores the lives of two characters whose names live on in Leadville lore: Mart Duggan from Limerick, one of the most fearsome yet respected lawmakers in the American West; and Michael Mooney, a union leader from Dublin who fought for worker rights. 

This month (September, 2023) sees the opening of a memorial to the Leadville Irish, who until now had been forgotten in unmarked graves at the town’s Evergreen Cemetery. 

Credits:Pavel Barter: presenter and producer. 

Michael Mellamphy (Red Dead Redemption 2) plays Mart Duggan and Michael Mooney. 

With thanks to David Wright (research) and Wil Masisak (VO recording). 

Funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television License Fee.