Irish Immigration to the United States and Their Subsequent Discrimination

Although Ireland life was brutal, immigrating to the United States was not a pleasant experience. Referred to as the American Wake, those who chose to immigrate knew they would never see Ireland or their families again, and with poor communication over large distances, it was probable that the "wake" was the last time they would even hear of each other again. The only future left in Ireland was ever increasing poverty, disease, death, and oppression. (Marshall, n.d.) America became their dream, their second chance for a brighter future.

Irish immigrants arrived in masses on overcrowded ships, branded Coffin Ships because the conditions were so deplorable; these ships were, for the most part, not even sea worthy. (The History Place, n.d.) Even as the immigrants docked in American ports they learned life would continue to be a fight of endurance, a fight for survival. Many unfortunate immigrants found themselves snatched by dock loafers who preyed on the ignorance of immigrants; these dock loafers who would compel the Irish immigrants: men, women, and children, into favored tenant houses, charging the immigrants outrageous fees for this "service." Many immigrants remained too impoverished to escape or move on. (Stolarik, 1988)

Free land did not appeal to the early Irish immigrants looking to escape the Potato Famine: they rejected the land, because the land had rejected them; yet they always spoke reverently of their Irish homeland. Most of the larger cities had an "Irish" or "Shanty Town" where the Irish would gather to commiserate their struggles, encourage each other, and celebrate together.