An Irish Immigrant Experience

Introduction 

The Irish immigration into the United States during the advent of the 19 th century has gained fame both in scholarly circles and among history enthusiasts together with individuals of Irish descent who reside in the United States of America. Research reveals that over 8 million individuals are reported to have migrated from Ireland to the USA from the beginning of the 19 th Century up to the middle of the 20 th century (Whelan, 2015). To give a perspective on the magnitude of the migration, scholars delineated to the fact that by the onset of the 20 th Century, more individuals of Irish descent lived outside Ireland than those who resided in their home country (Whelan, 2015). Furthermore, Ireland is affirmed to have accounted for the most European immigrants in the United States by the year 1930 (Whelan, 2015). Notably, the Irish immigration was marked by an immigration of more females than men, making it stand out among the mass migrations of Europe during that period. 

Despite the ever-swelling number of Irish Immigrants headed to the United States, recounts of the immigrants together with literary sources reveal the fact that life was difficult for the Irish nationals who arrived and lived in the United States (Whelan, 2015). Irish immigrants to the United States were predominantly viewed as unskilled and therefore unemployable in formal positions or unfit for appointments to public office. The detrimental views on the individuals of Irish descent led to discrimination, as far as the job market together with access to opportunities was concerned. However, despite the numerous challenges faced by the Irish population during the immigration and in the attempt to settle into the culture of the United States the Irish community has proved to be an industrious and democratically liberated society destined to thrive. 

Body 

Extensive studies on the Irish immigration have identified a myriad of factors and events that could have led to the mass immigration observed in Ireland. Research has revealed that the immigration was shaped by systemic forces which were beyond the control of most individuals coupled with the expectations of members of society (Whelan, 2015). Furthermore, scholars delineate to the fact that individuals also emigrated from Ireland sighting personal decisions made with regard to individual preferences and views about the Irish culture, society and economy during the period. 

Delving into the immediate causes of the migration, Ireland was tainted with prevalence of disease, destitution and death resulting from epidemics that hit Europe during the mid-century of the 17 th century ( Ciment et al., 2015) . Famine was caused by crop diseases that affected Irish potatoes therefore leaving Irish citizens without food and led to the death of over one million individuals in Ireland, which is affirmed to have attributed to the immigration of over one million citizens to the US ( Ciment et al., 2015) . The harsh living conditions in Ireland is identified as the reason for spiked immigration rates among individuals in the Irish population, mainly composed of married couples and single women. 

Additionally, America’s well defined property laws and stance on equality in access to opportunities among both genders made it a favorable immigrant destination during the period ( Ciment et al., 2015) . Furthermore, extensive immigration of Ireland citizens is noted as a significant factor that played a role in the immediate surge of Irish immigrants in the United States. Social pressures upon individuals who were in their youthful years mounted over time with the urge to migrate to look for greener pastures growing by the day ( Holmes, 2017) . The social pressures are attributed to the fact that Irish migrants who went to the United States reported the abundance of opportunities in addition to the establishment of a secure and closely knit Irish society by immigrants ( Holmes, 2017) . The impact of the reports is noted by the significant decline in immigrant numbers after Irish immigrants reported a reduction in employment and business opportunities during the great depression of the 1930s. 

Key figures to note during the Irish migration were the Protestants and Roman Catholics who fled from Europe sighting the restrictions and discrimination that English penal law imposed on the citizens of Ireland who subscribed to Protestant churches and the Roman Catholic Church (Pennsylvania, 2019). Furthermore, the religious leaders were opposed to the hefty tithes and sums demanded by the predominant Anglican Church in Ireland (Pennsylvania, 2019). The population of Protestant immigrants accounted for the initial lot of immigrants who left Ireland at the beginning of the 18 th century, and who ushered in the rest of the immigrants who were motivated by economic, social and political factors. Additionally, the swelling population of Irish citizens who were feeing religious persecution led to the establishment of a deeply religious irish community in the United States. 

However, the immigration of Irish citizens has faced numerous barriers given the technology available and the resources that were disposable during the period. For instance, over 20000 Irish travellers were reported dead during the transit from Ireland to the United states due to the poor conditions of travel in the ships that were termed as “coffin ships” (Hirota, 2017). Furthermore, research points to the less that hospitable conditions that Irish immigrants were forced to live in upon their immigration to the United States. Irish immigrants were deemed less educated and therefore less skilled to perform professional jobs in addition to those that required special skills. Furthermore, scholars point out to the fact that Irish immigrants left Ireland in destitute states with only few possessions and currency that they could secure after the impact of the famine hit Ireland. Irish immigrants therefore had little to get through upon which meant that the immigrants were forced to look for affordable accommodation in an industrialized and rapidly growing United States. 

Upon arrival, Irish immigrants were further exposed to more prejudice and discrimination as most Americans viewed them as the lowest class of society given their illiteracy levels and the willingness to settle for menial jobs. The discrimination of Irish citizens propelled over the years and eventually culminated into extreme actions for instance the deportation of Irish immigrants who were deemed illegal by the states they resided in (Hirota, 2017). For instance research has revealed that the state of Massachusetts was devoted and deeply engrossed in the deportation of Irish citizens that the officials at times not only flaunted official procedure but also the law while attempting to deport Irish citizens (Hirota, 2017). Additionally, the individual testimonies by deportees establish that the American citizens and official had little regard for the lives of the Irish and regarded them as less suitable to reside and work in the United States (Hirota, 2017). 

In view of the fact that the Irish population accounted for the largest number of United States immigrants in history, it is imperative to note the consequences that the upsurge of the Irish citizens had for the society, economy and culture of the United States (Almeida, 2001). The increase in immigrants, with numbers as high as one million adults for instance during mid-19 th century resulted in the increment of employable labor for American industries and companies. Research has revealed the fact that Irish immigrants exhibited aggression in the search for opportunities which resulted in the employment of individuals in a wide array of fields including shipping, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure ( Ciment et al., 2015) . Additionally, Irish citizens who immigrated to the US saved enough to purchase property therefore leading to urban expansion and the creation of more employment opportunities (Almeida, 2001). It is safe to conclude that the immigration of Irish citizens significantly contributed to the expansion of the American economy. 

Conclusion 

Two centuries after the immigration of the Irish to the United States, the Irish community has managed to influence popular culture through music, film and culture, with the effect of these landmark achievements reaching Ireland (Almeida, 2001). Research has revealed that Irish rock music together with film and drama by Irish artists both from America and in Ireland has gained worldwide fame and appreciation (Almeida, 2001). However, research also points to the differences in the culture and practices of natives in Ireland and Irish Americans, revealing that the beliefs and social system, for instance, the fact that the church is no longer central to the interests of the Irish people. 

References 

Almeida, L. D. (2001). Irish Immigrants in New York City, 1945-1995. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=66568&site=eds-live&scope=site 

Ciment, J., & Radzilowski, J. (2015).  American Immigration: An Encyclopedia of Political, Social, and Cultural Change: An Encyclopedia of Political, Social, and Cultural Change . Routledge. 

Hirota, H. (2017, April 24). The stories of Irish deportees from the US in 1800s. Retrieved from Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-stories-of-irish-deportees-from-the-us-in-1800s-1.3059578 

Holmes, C. (2015).  John Bull's island: immigration and British society, 1871-1971 . Routledge. 

Pennsylvania, H. S. (2019). Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from Irish Immigrant Letters Home: https://hsp.org/education/unit-plans/irish-immigration/irish-immigrant-letters-home 

Whelan, B. (2015). Women on the Move: a review of the historiography of Irish emigration to the USA, 1750–1900. Women’s History Review, 24(6), 900–916. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh&AN=110465072&site=eds-live&scope=site