The Irish in Middlesbrough : a part of Middlesbrough's community or apart from it?

Willis, JT

Abstract

Victorian Middlesbrough was a 'new town' and, as a consequence, all its
inhabitants were immigrants. Thus, how the Irish came to Middlesbrough is of interest.
However, the main aims of this research are to examine the spatial, demographic, social
and economic profile of the Middlesbrough Irish using the four census enumerations from
1871 to 1901 and, with other information, assess whether an Irish community existed.
To clothe these statistics, contemporary evidence has been sought. In the social
and economic context, living conditions in the 1880s; pertinent social institutions; and
Irish occupations have been examined. Also, the over-representation of the Irish-born in
crime statistics are presented with an assessment of putative causes.
The Catholic Church and its spiritual and material influence in Middlesbrough has
been studied from storms in the 1870s to calm in the 1900s. Inextricably linked with the
Church was Catholic education which included not only public, private, lay and religious
Catholic schools but also orphan girls supervised by nuns and Catholic orphans despatched
overseas by the Board of Guardians.
Lastly, Irish involvement in Middlesbrough politics is assessed. At the local level
this involved the elected bodies of the Corporation, School Board and Poor Law
Guardians. Nationally, it involves the contribution of the Middlesbrough Irish to the
Condition of Ireland debate and action arising therefrom. Because of its partisan nature,
prejudice has been linked with politics.
In this study, the findings of relevant research and as much archival evidence as is
available has been used; and an intense perusal of local newspapers has proved most
fruitful. The conclusion that the Irish formed a community in Middlesbrough is based on
the evidence presented.

Citation

Willis, J. The Irish in Middlesbrough : a part of Middlesbrough's community or apart from it?. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 30, 2021
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2011