Irish

Question 1

Why did irish migrate?

Answer 1

• most came to escape extreme porverty in parts of ireland - to find better paid work
• huge increase in irish immigration after potato blight in 1846 - ruined irish potato harvest - around 1/8 of population died in the famine
• by 1861 - around 600,000 irish born people in britain - found jobs in construction as navvies

Question 2

Religious reactions?

Answer 2

• most irish people catholic - britain strongly protestant
• religious difference could lead to violence

Question 3

Crime?

Answer 3

irish blamed for high crime rates

Question 4

Disease?

Answer 4

• most irish people lived in terrible conditions in poor areas - disease common
• locals often blame irish for causing the disease in first place
• typhus nicknames irish fever

Question 5

Jobs?

Answer 5

• irish migrants accused of taking jobs - irish people banned from jobs

Question 6

Impact of Irish migration on Britain?

Answer 6

• britains canals, roads and railways could not have been built without irish navvies
• in early 1800s - 40% of soldiers in british army irish
• irish literature, music, dancing and bars popular