Irish Emigration to England Explored Through Buildings

The book explores the symbiotic relationship between Irish migrants and the built environment in England. In doing so, the book draws out fresh aspects of the migration story, how it was supported through the use of different types of buildings and also demonstrates the opportunities that emigration offered to Irish communities.

When emigrants travelled from Ireland to England, their first connections with the country were not just with people, but also with buildings. Buildings that housed the institutions and businesses that formed the support network for Irish people, many of them young and travelling alone.

The themed chapters cover public and private buildings that reflect the various working and social lives of Irish people, including those that show the business acumen of migrants. It also explores buildings that supported informal networks – churches, pubs and community centres.

By looking at the built heritage associated with Irish artists and workers in the creative industries, it demonstrates other sides to the standard migration narrative that it was only the poor and low or semi-skilled who migrated.