Emigration - Level A - Text

Many people from Northern Ireland left their homes to start a new life. Most of them hoped for better jobs, more freedom and a safer future.

Between 1717 and 1775 the first big group left Ulster. Many were poor farmers and Protestants without equal rights. They went to North America to find land and work.

From 1775 to 1780 three the American War of Independence happened. After that, the United States became a popular place for emigrants.

In 1801, Ireland became part of the United Kingdom, but many people in the countryside were still poor and had few chances.

Between 1845 and 1852, the Great Famine caused great hunger. The potato crops failed and many people had no food. Over 1,000,000 died. Many others emigrated.

From 1850 to 1900 many more people left. They went to the USA, Canada or Australia.

In 1858 the Ulster Emigration Aid Society was founded. It helped families prepare for the journey. 

In 1861, the US Census showed that one 6 million people in the USA were from Ireland.

In 1892 Ellis Island opened in New York. Many Irish people arrived there to begin a new life.

 in New York as the main immigration station. It became the gateway to a new life for thousands of Irish people.