Why did the Irish emigrate in such vast numbers? What was their experience when they arrived in America? How did emigration change over the years? What impact did Irish emigrants have on American society?
“Coming to America: The Making of the Irish-American diaspora,” a talk at the Open University, 110 Victoria St., Belfast, on March 20 from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. (2 p.m. - 3 p.m., U.S. East Coast), will explore the fascinating story of Irish migration to America, a story that begins long before the Famine of the 1840s and continues to be written.
Dr. Michael Doorley, who retired in 2022 from his position as a lecturer in history at the Open University in Ireland, will take a look at the allure of the New World for various groups of Irish emigrants since the 18th century and what made America so appealing to different groups of Irish people at different times?
“We’ll also consider the ways in which Irish men and women were met with hostility in America,” Doorley said. “Through a series of case studies, we will see how they made themselves at home in the New World; the elements of their own culture that they retained and how they influenced American music, education and culture.”
In this in-person and live-streamed event, he will refer to the Open University’s free online resource on the subject. It can be accessed here. The event is free in person and online but registration is required here.
