John Blest, moderator of the Drumkeeran, Leitrim area list gave me permission to forward this interesting old newspaper article he posted in reply to my query -- From: Jean Rice To: drumkeeranfolk@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 10:00 PM Subject: Re: [drumkeeranfolk] Newspaper Article (1887) ----- Original Message ----- From: John Blest To: drumkeeranfolk@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 9:39 PM Subject: Re: Newspaper Article (1887) From File At 08:32 PM 1/31/2002 -0800, you wrote: Hi List -- I am curious to know why Irish from Co. Leitrim (or in general) would immigrate to Scotland, <snip> The following article which appeared in the NY-Irish American (and is resident in our own Drumkeeranfolk Files) helps to answer your question. John Blest 1887/07/09 Article "Irish Harvesters" The North Wall, Dublin, was unusually enlivened during the week ending June 18th, by the great bodies of laborers from Connaught migrating to England for employment. It is a sad picture to see these poor fellows, driven from the bosoms of their families, for the greater portion of the year through want of employment at home. They come generally from the Counties of Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim,and few, if any of the laboring class and small farmers in these counties, there are who have not gone to the farming districts of England, year after year, to "reap the harvest." Their labor is always in much demand by the English agriculturists, and employers find them more tractable , and capable of more endurance, where hard work has to be discharged, than the agricultural laborer of England. Some time ago they accepted less wages than the "Hodge"and the consequence was that a very strong feeling of dislike was cherished against them by the English laborers, and in a great many instances brutal and cowardly assaults were committed on them. So strong did this feeling exist among the laboring class in England , that it was artfully turned to account by the Tory candidates at the last general election. It was represented to the English laborers that the granting of Home Rule to Ireland would have the effect of sending over thousands of Irishmen to England, with the result that the price of labor would be reduced by one-half. The bait took; the ignorant English agricultural workers voted against the "bloomin Hirish," and of course the poor dupes voted against themselves, as if a ray of intelligence could penetrate through their ignorance and prejudice, they could easily understand that home rule would have diametrically the opposite effect to driving Irishmen out of Ireland to search for employment The embarkation of the harvesters is an interesting sight, and affords a pretty good opportunity of a peep into the traits and various moods of Irish character. On arriving at the North Wall, they present a jaded and dejected appearance, and a casual observer would set them down as moody and forlorn. But wait for awhile, superficial observer , and you will find that your first conclusions are not correct, and that though Pat's affection for his home are very strong, and though misfortunes weigh heavily enough on his heart, there are moments when his soul soars above all affections, and when despondency gives place to mirth and hope. That Irish piper , lilting a favorite Irish tune has, as if by magic, transformed poor Paddy's stupor into vivacity; there is a glisten in the eye that before had the stare of despair, and in a moment his feet are keeping time to the "Wind that Shakes the Barley," with an agility which would be the envy of a stage dancer. The piper is a pretty good judge of the proper time to send the had around, and when he does, from the modest store of these poor harvesters he receives a very considerable sum. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.