This thesis examines the history of Irish immigrants in Birmingham. It defines three distinct phases: two waves of immigration divided by a period when numbers dropped and many assimilated. The questions of housing, work and demographic structure are investigated and used to delineate the character of each migration. Following this the development of distinct Irish communities is described. The contribution of the Catholic Church, and the importance of initiatives from the Irish themselves are evaluated and the tiny group which bridges the centuries is looked at with a view to establishing the part it played in providing a link between the two communities. An attempt is made to place Irish immigration in a broader context, identifying those elements which are unique to them, those which they share with other groups, and exploring the issue of integration and assimilation. The principal conclusions are: that there is a considerable degree of continuity in the Irish experience; that while in many ways they undergo an experience common to many immigrants, the Irish are distinguished by their relationship with the Church and their talent for self-help; and that the twentieth century community, larger and with a broader base than its predecessor, seems more likely to endure.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:493398 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Ziesler, Kaja Irene |
| Publisher | University of Birmingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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