Irelands majestic green hills, mysterious castles, and vast tourism areas pull thousands of traveler to explore the country every year. Unbeknownst to most, there was a time when the Irish did not want to live there and began to immigrate …show more content…
Over the years, the population increased exponentially causing a decrease in food and land; many Irish fled for a new beginning. The Irish originally journeyed to the United the States in the 15th century, with “Galway-born William Ayers one of Columbus's crew in 1492” (Rapple, n.d.). Furthermore, in the 17th century immigration increased due to a large group being “exiled to the West Indies by Cromwell in the 1640’s” (Rapple, n.d.). In the later years, the majority of the Irish immigrants were Catholic fleeing from religious persecution, draconian penal laws, and poor economic and social conditions (Rapple, n.d.). According to Brendan Rappel, “Most were poor, many coming as indentured servants, others under agreements to reimburse their fare sometimes after arrival…” (Rapple, n.d.). Early, the Irish would voyage to Canada and then from Canada to America, this was more cost-effective than traveling directly from Ireland to America, although, after the 1840’s most of the Irish emigrated directly from Ireland to America (Rapple, n.d.). Even though, the Irish had emigrated to American early on it was not until the Potato Famine that enormous groups began emigrating, according to Brendan Rapple, “It has been estimated that from 1820 to the 1900 about four million Irish immigrated to the United States” …show more content…
According to the Better Life Index, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is USD 23,917 a year, 60% of people aged 15-64 are employed, 75% of adults have completed a secondary education, life expectancy is 81 years old, and Ireland ranks at the top in social connections (“Ireland”, n.d.). Leaving Ireland now to immigrate to the United States may not be something that one would want to do, but leaving during the peak of Irelands potato famine and wars over the territory was somewhat desired. Coming to America met new opportunities and vast changes to one’s culture, assimilating into the American way was something that the Irish strived. The decision to leave was appropriate at the time, and given the same conditions would be appropriate