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From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [Irish-in-UK] Post Famine Emigration from Ireland to Glasgow,Scotland -- Book Review (2003)
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:04:19 -0700
BOOK REVIEW: "Irish, The Remarkable Story of a Nation and a City," by John
BURROWS (Mainstream Publishing) ISBN 1-84018-685-2, h/b, is a new book that
tells the story of post Famine emigration from Ireland to the Scottish city
of Glasgow. It begins with an account of a hellish sea voyage long faded
from the pages of history. The small ships sailing to Scotland were grossly
overcrowded , i.e., 'the whole length and breadth of the steerage presented
a mass of human beings literally packed together...in fact the appearance of
that vessel was that of a shipload of heads and faces.' No one could move,
had there been an emergency. On 1 Dec 1848, the "Londonderry" sailed for
Glasgow out of Sligo into a raging sea, her deck packed with people. As the
storm worsened, they were forced down into the ship's hold to avoid being
washed overboard. The hatches were sealed against their frantic protests.
When the ship sheltered in Derry harbour it was discovered that 72 souls had
suffocated out of the estimated 200 forced below the deck. Other ships
carried thousands of Irish to the haven of the city on the "Clyde."
The story of the Irish in Scotland is not easy to tell. There was a famous
riot, the Battle of Patrick's Cross, in which no one died, nor were fires
lit, nor barricades erected. There were gawkers, knockers and mockers,
navvies and skivvies, Orange and Green. And there were the amazing
adventures of Hannah, the story of an Irish girl in Glasgow which ran for
months as a serial in the Glasgow Catholic Observer a century ago. Glasgow,
however, was not overcome by poverty, plague and popery as some dreaded it
might be. There are still unpleasing local eruptions, generally connected
with football. The Irish immigrant, survivors of the most harrowing
experiences in the most wretched of times permanently changed the face of
the city which became their home.
Perhaps you can find a copy of this book if the subject interests you.
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