This is an account of the Irish settlers who founded Refugio and San Patricio and went on to take active roles in the economic and political development of Texas. It tells this Irish-Texan story of the search for land by looking at the experiences of the original impresarios John McMullen, James McGloin, James Power, and James Hewetson, and finishes with a description of the ranching empire of Power's nephew, Thomas O'Connor. In between it scrutinizes the marriages, commercial contracts, political alliances, and language ties that ""Mexicanized"" these successful entrepreneurs. Living in the heart of the war zone, some of the Irish settlers fought for independence while others remained loyal to the Mexican government that had made them citizens and gave them land. A picture of the hardships of pioneer life and the building of communities, churches and schools. It makes a case that the Irish came to Texas not as victims but as entrepreneurs and opportunists in search of land.