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Irish emigration and the Act of Union

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  • 13-07-2013 11:10pm
    #1
    Neo Unionist
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭


    I can remember one of our teachers telling us at school that there was a direct correlation between Ireland's entry into the Act of Union and an increase in emigration. Can anyone confirm this as I haven't been able to come across any online sources?


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    #2
    Jolly Red Giant
    Registered Users Posts: 3,434 ✭✭✭Jolly Red Giant


    Emigration from Ireland was a feature since the 17th century. Emigration did incease in the aftermath of the Act of Union but it was most noticable following the post-Nepoleonic War slump in the economy from 1821 onwards. Furthermore the collapse in employment particularly in the trades was driven by the industrial revolution in Britain and the availablity of cheaper manufactured goods. Prime example is that the number of weavers in Bandon Co. Cork dropped from 2000 in 1800 to about 120 in 1841.

    O'Connell made big play out of blaming the Act of Union for the collapse of trades in the Irish economy but it was a populist rant that had little basis in actualy reality. It was an easy message to deliver and made a simple appeal to the masses. Others did oppose this position and O'Connell used his henchmen to ensure that they were prevented from delivering an alternative view whenever they attempted to do so.


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