A little while ago I had fun researching and publishing a blog post on the Newfoundland – Ireland connection, so I felt inspired to read a little more about this unique history. And today seems like the perfect day to share it! I hope you’re celebrating responsibly (that’s why our cottages are great – no need for a designated driver!) and living it up. I know we’re happy to be back home on The Rock for this one!
Turns out we have lots to celebrate: according to Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage at MUN, “the Irish migrations to Newfoundland, and the associated provisions trade, represent the oldest and most enduring connections between Ireland and Canada.” Beginning in 1675, seasonal and temporary Irish migrants joined English fishing vessels to work our shores. At its peak in the late 1700s, this migration saw 5,000 Irish men coming over a year. Note that these migrants might sometimes overwinter for a year or two, but ultimately returned to Ireland.
Young Irish women, is smaller numbers, joined the migration, often married to overwintering migrants. This eventually led to Irish migrants settling in Newfoundland permanently, forever changing the culture of this island. Between 1800-1835, this immigration and settlement increased, so that in a 1836 census, half the population of Newfoundland was Irish. Most lived in St. John’s.
So where in Ireland were these settlers from? Mostly Waterford and it’s surrounding areas, namely Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork and Waterford. Again, according to this great article at Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage (if you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend checking out that link!) “no other province in Canada or state in America drew such an overwhelming proportion of their immigrants from so geographically compact an area in Ireland over so prolonged a period of time.”
They came mostly because of economic hardship at home, they were mostly Catholic, they were usually quite young (between 18-25), they worked hard, they changed the scope of our culture and history, and we raise a glass to them! And stay tuned, I’m enjoying exploring the history and culture of Newfoundland, and I’ll be sharing more!