The experience of Protestant Irish in Scotland

Question 1

Employment

Answer 1

Had good employment prospects. Their skills as weavers meant that they were in high demand- with many Protestant Irish settling where the weaving trade was strong, for example Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Glasgow. Also worked as farm labourers in the South-West of Scotland. Prominent in skilled industries like ship
building and the iron industry. Firms like Baird of Coatbridge employed a mainly Protestant work force and advertised their job vacancies in Belfast newspapers.

Question 2

Orange order

Answer 2

Set up the Orange order and participated in anti-catholic marches. By 1835 there were 12 Orange Order lodges in Glasgow. Sectarian trouble existed between the Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants in Glasgow, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire in the 1830s

Question 3

Politics

Answer 3

Gave strong support to the conservative party due to its unionist position and its opposition to home rule.

Question 4

Intermarriage

Answer 4

Assimilation of the Protestant Irish in to Scots society was further helped by the many marriages which took place between Scots and the Protestant Irish.

Question 5

Religion

Answer 5

Were widely accepted in to Scottish society as their protestantism matched that of the majority of Scots who belonged to the Church of Scotland

Question 6

Family ties

Answer 6

Many of the Protestant Irish were descendants of Scottish emigrants who had settled in Ulster in the 17th century. Some still had family in Scotland and benefited from the support network this provided in seeking employment and accommodation. Many also had Scottish surnames which enabled them to blend in easily to Scottish society.

Question 7

Main topics

Answer 7

• employment
• politics
• orange order
• intermarriage
• religion
• family ties