Experiences Of Catholic Irish

Question 1

Religion

Answer 1

• Scotland was predominantly Protestant
• Catholicism was central part of their identity and community for immigrants
• new churches and cathedrals were made to serve increasing number of Catholics
• many immigrants were poor so the church helped them
• Church encouraged them to fight in WW1
• church held social clubs and was focal point of social gatherings

Question 2

Housing

Answer 2

• Tended to live in areas with other immigrants
• Most Catholic immigrants were poor after famine, living in overcrowded slums with cheap rent.
• Gorbals, Glasgow and Lochee, Dundee. (Biggest Jute Factories)
• Bad conditions and poor sanitation lead to outbreaks of typhus and cholera

Question 3

Work

Answer 3

• Mostly unskilled Labour
• Both Catholic and Protestant did mining in Lanarkshire
• Naavies built harbours, railways, bridges, canals.
• women worked in linen and textile factories, such as jute in Dundee and used previous experience. It was hard and dangerous work.
• WW1 offered employement into army and good pay for those unemployed.
• 6 Scottish Irish got Victoria crosses

Question 4

Scot’s Reactions

Answer 4

• Experienced Anti Irish prejudice
• associated with drunkenness, violence and criminal behaviour.
• experienced sectarian violence
• accused of lowering moral standards

Question 5

Assimilation

Answer 5

• difficult because they have a different language, culture, religion and names to the Protestant Scots.