Cycles of Emigration Flashcards
Between 1801 and 1921, how many people emigrated and why?
8 million, mainly because of the Famine
What were the common characteristics of Irish emigrants in the 19th century?
They were young (under 30), balanced between sexes, and largely unskilled laborers, though skilled workers and the middle class were also present.
Where did most emigrants go during the Famine?
95% of those who left Ireland during the Famine travelled across the Atlantic in ‘coffin ships’
Between 1926 and 1951, why was population growth stagnant?
Due to high emigration. 400k people left (as high as famine times with 1/8 population leacing)
Post ww2, where did most emigrants go?
80% of emigrants went to Britain. Over 1 million Irish born people were living in the Uk by the 1960s.
How did emigration contribute to Ireland’s economic underdevelopment?
- Many emigrants were young and economically active, reducing the labor force needed for growth.
- migration removed potential reformers, consolidating power among conservative property owners and slowing modernization.
- Dependence on Remittances: Instead of investing in domestic industry, families relied on money sent from abroad.
- Delayed Industrialization – With fewer workers and entrepreneurs, Ireland remained reliant on agriculture for longer than other European nations.
In the 1980s and 90s, what was the net migration of Ireland?
There was a net outward migration meaning more people left than entered with 206k leaving in 1980s and 175k in 1990s.
How did the Celtic Tiger (90s and 00s) impact migration?
It led to return migration but 1980s emigrants were more educated and urban than previous waves
What economic downturns triggered new waves of emigration?
1980s recession and post-2008 austerity
How many people emigrated in the years that followed the 2008 crash (2009-2016)?
662,000. Gender balanced, mostly between 15-44.
What historical factors have influenced Irish emigration?
Postcolonial economic dependence
- Ireland was economically tied to Britain for centuries, relying heavily on agriculture and limited industrialization.
- After independence (1922), economic policies like protectionism (limiting imports) failed to create enough jobs, leading to continued emigration as people sought work abroad.
- The lack of a strong industrial base meant Ireland remained dependent on external markets, particularly Britain and later the EU.
EU/global integration.
- Joining the EEC (now the EU) in 1973 provided economic opportunities, but also made migration easier, especially to Britain and Europe.
- Economic downturns (e.g., 1980s recession, post-2008 austerity) led to waves of emigration as Irish workers sought better opportunities abroad.
- However, during the Celtic Tiger (1990s-2000s), Ireland’s economy grew rapidly, leading to return migration and even attracting immigrants.
Why did Irish emigrants have more access to liberal labour markets outside the Eurozone?
Irish emigrants possessed valuable transnational human, cultural, and social capital (cultural competnencies) that enabled them to access liberal labor markets outside the Eurozone, particularly in English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, which recovered from the crisis more quickly. (Glynn, 2015)
Comparatively, was Ireland’s emigration unique?
Yes, to an extent. Ireland’s emigration story is an outlier especially when compared to other ‘PIIGS’ countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain) after the 2008 crash. It had the ability to travel and integrate to non EU English speaking countries better. Ireland also has cycles of chain migration and relies on networks that already exists in hosts countries.
In terms of factors of emigration, it has similar attributes like poverty, economy, and opportunities. However, it’s post colonial dependence and underdevelopment is a huge factor in emigration, not as common in other Europe (Western European) countries.
