FACTS ABOUT IRISH IMMIGRATION

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The Irish are the second largest nationality group to immigrate to America. Somewhat fewer came from Ireland than from Germany.

Almost as many Irish women as men came to America. Unlike other national groups, many women of Ireland came by themselves to live here.

TWO MAJOR IMMIGRATION PERIODS:

First Irish immigration during colonial era of 18th century.

Called Scotch-Irish---250,000 left Ireland for North America and most arrived in New York or Philadelphia. Most were Protestants of Scotch decent. Included were farmers, laborers, military and religious dissidents, and deported political prisoners. Irish immigration peaked in mid to late 19th century. This was largely because of dire poverty and starvation in their homeland.

(The Great Irish Famine 1845-1850)

Between 1846 and 1900 approximately 2, 873,000 Irish came to America. Irish immigrants of this period were predominantly Catholic.

In 1700 Irish owned only 15% of their country's land. By 1755 they owned less than 5% of their land (most land was owned by absent Englishmen.)

 The Irish diet was mainly potatoes that often grow on poor land; however, in 1845 potato blight overtook the potato fields of Ireland and Europe. Famine and disease killed one million Irish. Crop failures continued until 1852. Due to starvation and immigration the population of Ireland dropped from 10 million in 1840 to 5 million in 1880. Economic factors:
       vThe first ghettoes First Irish immigrants wanted to find cheap land and establish farms in Colonial America. Those from Ireland were among the most impoverished who came to America. Immigrants who came after the Colonial Period from Ireland were too poor to purchase land. Many Irish came as indentured servants for cost of the voyage, followed by about 4 years of servitude. First true ghettoes in America were the Irish enclaves, the so-called "shanty towns" of eastern cities. Poor Irish were illiterate and faced considerable discrimination. They were considered best for manual labor. Thus they often feared losing jobs to freed blacks.


vFederal land policy after 1840 pushed for free public land and resultant settlement further promoted immigration.

vRailroad companies provided special immigrant trains to encourage settlements along their routes.
 
 

 Irish immigrant labor in America: vUnskilled factory workers, which also included children.

vIrish males provided much of the labor needed to construct railroads and canals and roads.

vThe Irish were a major part of the labor source for building and related trades in expanding cities.

vWar with Mexico and the Civil War provided opportunities for salaried work and for Irish males. During the Civil War they enlisted as they entered the U. S. at New York's Governors Island.

v Skilled weavers were the most prevalent of tradesmen from Ireland.

vBecause they could speak English young Irish women came as indentured servants to work as domestic servants in the homes of wealthy second and third generation Americans.

  Cultural factors:
v The Irish often lived in the poorest of ghettoes in Eastern cities. While some Irish spoke English, unlike other immigrants, some spoke only their native Gaelic. The Irish who were not impeded by a language barrier found easier employment.
 
vThere were violent confrontations in cities such as Philadelphia in 1844, between so-called Nativists and the Irish.

vAs with almost all immigrant groups, religion was important to the new immigrants. The church provided important support. While earliest Irish settlers were usually Protestant those who came in the 19th century were predominantly Catholic.

vDuring the 1830's to the 1840's one parochial school was established per parish. These schools taught civic values and a work ethic, as well as religion.

vThe Irish were quick to become active in local politics. Their political leaders provided assistance for the needs of many of their constituents at a time when few governmental services were available.
 

MAJOR PORTS OF ENTRY FOR IRISH

Colonial Period:
Before, during, & after American Revolution
    New York
    Philadelphia
    Charleston

Mid -19th Cent. to 1900: Westward Expansion, Civil War and Industrialization Periods
     New York
     Boston
     From Canadian Maritime Provinces by train to the United States.
     Philadelphia