Irish-Scots
Encyclopedia
Irish-Scots are people who live in Scotland
who are of immediate or traceably distinct Irish
ancestry. Although migration between Ireland and Scotland has an established history owing to their close proximity, Irish migration to Scotland increased exponentially in the nineteenth century, and was particularly strong following the Great Famine. In this period, the Irish typically settled in the large industrial cities such as Glasgow
, Edinburgh
, Dundee
and Coatbridge
.
In the United Kingdom Census 2001
, almost 50,000 people, fewer than 1% of the population in Scotland, identified their ethnicity as Irish.
The term Irish-Scots should not be confused with Scottish-Irish, a term used to denote those in the Irish province
of Ulster
who are descended from Scots
who settled there in heavy numbers during the Ulster Plantations.
Famous Irish-Scots include author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, actors Sean Connery
, Brian Cox
, Gerard Butler
comedians Billy Connolly
and Frankie Boyle
.
Report from the Scottish Census of 1871
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/int/hist/immigrants/irish_in_scotland/index_irish_scotland.shtml
Difficulties also arose due to differences between the typically Catholic immigrants and the predominantly Protestant native Scots population. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, it was reported that, in Glasgow, there were only thirty-nine Irish-Catholics, but forty-three anti-Catholic clubs (see http://www2.umist.ac.uk/sport/SPORTS%20HISTORY/BSSH/The%20Sports%20Historian/TSH%2021-1/21(1)%20-%20art%205.htm).
In the UK census of 2001, the new category "Irish" was added to the list of ethnic background. In Scotland, results showed that 49,428 (0.98%), fewer than 1% of the population, self-described as being of Irish background.
The Irish-Scots were instrumental in the formation of Celtic Football Club
, Hibernian F.C.
, and Dundee United F.C.
(which was originally known as Dundee Hibernian). These teams were originally formed to provide recreational facilities for the Irish immigrants.
highlighted the confusion that these words can cause when used to refer to the past :
, through to James VI, the main language of the Scottish monarchs was English (or the form of it which became known as Scots
). Scottish identity, for Lowlanders and Highlanders, however remained rooted in the Gaelic past until the 18th century. Fergus Mór mac Eirc, whom the Duan Albanach
, and Medieval Scots historians like John of Fordun
and Hector Boece
, and even James VI himself, saw as the founder of Scotland's ruling dynasty, was said to have invaded Argyll
from Ireland, and the creation of Scotland was seen as a conquest by Gaelic kings.
The Protestant Reformation
and the perception of Gaelic-speaking (their language now called Erse rather than Scots, a name transferred to the Northumbrian Old English language of Scotland now known as the Scots language
) as idle, warlike and crude led even a scholar of such calibre as George Buchanan
to write of the Picts and the Scots as being like the Irish. Another line of thought is that rather than by conquest, Argyll, and perhaps other parts of south-western Scotland, evolved together with Ireland, speaking similar Goidelic languages
. These languages, the ancestors of modern Irish and Scots Gaelic, spread to most of Scotland.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
who are of immediate or traceably distinct Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
ancestry. Although migration between Ireland and Scotland has an established history owing to their close proximity, Irish migration to Scotland increased exponentially in the nineteenth century, and was particularly strong following the Great Famine. In this period, the Irish typically settled in the large industrial cities such as Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
and Coatbridge
Coatbridge
Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, about east of Glasgow city centre, set in the central Lowlands. The town, with neighbouring Airdrie, is part of the Greater Glasgow urban area. The first settlement of the area stretches back to the Stone Age era...
.
In the United Kingdom Census 2001
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, almost 50,000 people, fewer than 1% of the population in Scotland, identified their ethnicity as Irish.
The term Irish-Scots should not be confused with Scottish-Irish, a term used to denote those in the Irish province
Provinces of Ireland
Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...
of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
who are descended from Scots
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
who settled there in heavy numbers during the Ulster Plantations.
Famous Irish-Scots include author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, actors Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
, Brian Cox
Brian Cox
Brian Denis Cox, CBE is a Scottish actor. He is known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he gained recognition for his portrayal of King Lear. He has also appeared in many Hollywood productions playing parts such as Dr. Guggenheim in Rushmore and William Stryker in X2: X-Men...
, Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler
Gerard James Butler is a Scottish actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television. A trained lawyer, Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies , which he followed with steady work on television, most notably in...
comedians Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
and Frankie Boyle
Frankie Boyle
Francis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a British comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic, often controversial sense of humour...
.
Background
Attitudes to the waves of immigration from Ireland to Scotland were mixed, as evidenced by the following quotations:- "In our opinion, the Irish have as much right to come to this country to better their lives as the Scots and English have to go to Ireland or any other part of Britain for the same reason. Let us hear no more complaints about the influx of Irish having a bad effect on Scotland unless it is to do something about tackling the problems which caused the emigration."
- The Glasgow Courier, 1830
- "The immigration of such a number of people from the lowest class and with no education will have a bad effect on the population. So far, living among the Scots does not seem to have improved the Irish, but the native Scots who live among the Irish have got worse. It is difficult to imagine the effect the Irish immigrants will have upon the morals and habits of the Scottish people."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/int/hist/immigrants/irish_in_scotland/index_irish_scotland.shtml
Difficulties also arose due to differences between the typically Catholic immigrants and the predominantly Protestant native Scots population. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, it was reported that, in Glasgow, there were only thirty-nine Irish-Catholics, but forty-three anti-Catholic clubs (see http://www2.umist.ac.uk/sport/SPORTS%20HISTORY/BSSH/The%20Sports%20Historian/TSH%2021-1/21(1)%20-%20art%205.htm).
In the UK census of 2001, the new category "Irish" was added to the list of ethnic background. In Scotland, results showed that 49,428 (0.98%), fewer than 1% of the population, self-described as being of Irish background.
The Irish-Scots were instrumental in the formation of Celtic Football Club
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, and Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
(which was originally known as Dundee Hibernian). These teams were originally formed to provide recreational facilities for the Irish immigrants.
Scots and Irish
The terms Scots and Irish, while they have a settled meaning today, are not always readily distinguished. Sellar & Yeatman's spoof history 1066 and All That1066 and All That
1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England, comprising all the parts you can remember, including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates is a tongue-in-cheek reworking of the history of England. Written by W. C. Sellar and R. J. Yeatman and illustrated by John Reynolds, it first...
highlighted the confusion that these words can cause when used to refer to the past :
Theories
From at least the reign of James IJames I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
, through to James VI, the main language of the Scottish monarchs was English (or the form of it which became known as Scots
History of the Scots language
The history of the Scots language refers to how Anglic varieties spoken in parts of Scotland developed into modern Scots.-Origins:Speakers of Northumbrian Old English settled in south eastern Scotland in the 7th century, at which time Celtic Brythonic was spoken in the south of Scotland to a little...
). Scottish identity, for Lowlanders and Highlanders, however remained rooted in the Gaelic past until the 18th century. Fergus Mór mac Eirc, whom the Duan Albanach
Duan Albanach
The Duan Albanach is a Middle Gaelic poem found with the Lebor Bretnach, a Gaelic version of the Historia Brittonum of Nennius, with extensive additional material ....
, and Medieval Scots historians like John of Fordun
John of Fordun
John of Fordun was a Scottish chronicler. It is generally stated that he was born at Fordoun, Mearns. It is certain that he was a secular priest, and that he composed his history in the latter part of the 14th century; and it is probable that he was a chaplain in the St Machar's Cathedral of...
and Hector Boece
Hector Boece
Hector Boece , known in Latin as Hector Boecius or Boethius, was a Scottish philosopher and first Principal of King's College in Aberdeen, a predecessor of the University of Aberdeen.-Biography:He was born in Dundee where he attended school...
, and even James VI himself, saw as the founder of Scotland's ruling dynasty, was said to have invaded Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
from Ireland, and the creation of Scotland was seen as a conquest by Gaelic kings.
The Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
and the perception of Gaelic-speaking (their language now called Erse rather than Scots, a name transferred to the Northumbrian Old English language of Scotland now known as the Scots language
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
) as idle, warlike and crude led even a scholar of such calibre as George Buchanan
George Buchanan (humanist)
George Buchanan was a Scottish historian and humanist scholar. He was part of the Monarchomach movement.-Early life:...
to write of the Picts and the Scots as being like the Irish. Another line of thought is that rather than by conquest, Argyll, and perhaps other parts of south-western Scotland, evolved together with Ireland, speaking similar Goidelic languages
Goidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
. These languages, the ancestors of modern Irish and Scots Gaelic, spread to most of Scotland.
External links
- Material in "Mi Deireadh Fomhair" (October 2004) includes the full text of the song "Hello! Patsy Fagan" (or "The Dacent Irish Boy") by T. P. Keenan, describing the experiences of an Irish immigrant in Glasgow