The Store

Neil Hanlon founded his company in 1995 to contribute to the Irish Brigade Monument Project at the Antietam Battlefield in Maryland. He became the publisher of the Irish Brigade Lithograph Series, commissioning master painter Bradley Schmehl to execute the prints. A portion of the profits from Captain Clooney’s Charge helped fund the tribute. Subsequent land preservation projects have also benefited from Irish Brigade Store contributions.

The Owner

Neil Hanlon’s personal interest in the Irish Brigade began when his grandfather took him aside as a youth and revealed Neil’s great-grandfather Timothy’s role as a volunteer in the famed Irish Brigade. He presented Neil with a family heirloom: the dress sword awarded to Timothy at the age of sixteen. The Irish Brigade Store exists to perpetuate the glory of that gallant band of soldiers.

Neil’s enthusiasm for the American Civil War started with an inspiring visit to the Gettysburg battlefield 30 years ago. His interest has accelerated appreciably since he retired in 1998 and settled in the battlefield regions of southeast Virginia. His first focus was to join Civil War roundtables and the Virginia Historical Society in Williamsburg and Richmond.

Neil helped establish, and became the first Commander of, the Colonel James D. Brady Camp, a part of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the premier heritage organization. From there, he ascended to Commander of the Department of Maryland, which oversees the activities of five states. During this time, he spearheaded funding and camp labor to reclaim Fort Alexander Hays, an important but neglected redoubt in the siege line that engulfed Petersburg, Virginia. It is now an integral part of the Civil War Trails program.

Neil holds a degree in history from Lehigh University.