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Australian Communities: Irish Australians

The Irish were among the first settlers in Australia and have contributed substantially to the development of contemporary Australia. Around 6 million Australians (and an estimated 70 million people worldwide) are commonly believed to have some Irish ancestry.

Ireland, which occupies the bulk of the island of Ireland, has a population of 3.9 million across 26 counties. Over 1 million people live in the capital, Dublin. Ireland gained independence in 1921 following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, but six of the original nine counties of Ulster in the northeast remained part of the United Kingdom and are named Northern Ireland. (1)

Brief history of Ireland
Ireland has been inhabited for about 7000 years. The various settlements and invasions during this time have resulted in a rich mixture of ancestry and traditions. The first settlers were mostly hunters from Britain, followed by farmers and later metalworkers. Between 600 BCE and 150 CE waves of Celtic speaking people from Britain and Gaul invaded and by 400 CE seven independent kingdoms had evolved. These kingdoms often allied their armies and joined with Scots and Picts to raid neighbouring Roman Britain and Europe. On one of these raids a boy named Patricius was captured, taken back to Ireland and sold into slavery. He escaped, returned to his homeland and studied theology. He then returned to Ireland and converted the mostly non-Christian people to Christianity. In recognition of his contribution St Patrick is now the patron saint of Ireland and each year parades are held in his honour all over the world.

Centred on the monastries, Celtic art, learning and culture were flourishing by 800 CE and the monks had also established centres of learning and Christianity in many parts of Europe. During the ninth and tenth centuries Ireland was regularly invaded by Vikings who were also traders and helped to develop the towns of Dublin, Cork and Waterford.

In the twelth century the Normans who had already invaded England and Wales came to control large parts of Ireland which then came under the political authority of the King of England. In the sixteenth century an ongoing series of revolts began, largely in response to change imposed by the Protestant reformation in England and the arrival of English settlers. The population became divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants and a struggle for supremacy ensued. The consequences of this ongoing conflict included dispossession of land, uprisings, famine and forced migration.

The conflict continued even after 1921 when the south gained its independence and six counties of Ulster in the northeast chose to remain part of the United Kingdom. Since Ireland joined the European Union in 1973 there have been major changes in the political, social, economic and cultural life of the country bringing peace and stability to the whole island.

Migration to Australia
The Irish first came to Australia as convicts, soldiers and sailors in the First Fleet in 1788. From 1791 until 1867 about 50 000 Irish convicts were transported to Australia mostly for criminal offences but a significant number were political prisoners from the uprisings in Ireland. During this period almost a quarter of all convicts were Irish.

In the first years of settlement a small but significant number of Irish free settlers also arrived in Australia. They included tailors, shopkeepers, journalists and accountants. These numbers increased dramatically in the 1840s when the potato crops in Ireland were destroyed by disease resulting in famine for the people. Ireland's population of 8 million was halved. Two million people died and two million emigrated including 23 000 to Australia. Between 1848 and 1850, over 4000 young women orphaned by the famine were sent to Australia to work mainly as domestics for established families. Most married soon after, raising families of their own.

During the second half of the nineteenth century around 400 000 settlers, many young single women, migrated to Australia from Ireland either independently or with assistance from the government or the Catholic Church. Few immigrants could read or write. Many joined the gold rushes but most were agricultural labourers or domestic workers. Some ran small businesses or hotels. Some became involved in Australian politics. By the late 1800s, 60 per cent of the New South Wales police were Irish born.

By the end of the century many Irish associations had been formed to provide support for the settlers and venues for craic- traditional dancing, singing and drinking, and for finding marriage partners. There were also many Irish pubs throughout the country. They were social centres for their communities and were built even before town halls and other public buildings. Events such as dances, concerts, public meetings and land auctions were held at these pubs.

Most early Irish settlers were Catholic and they were accompanied by about 2000 Roman Catholic priests. As in Ireland, the influence of the Church was very strong. Irish Catholic newspapers were published in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. The Church also founded the Catholic Education system. Most teachers were Irish born priests, brothers or nuns. Today almost a fifth of all Australian students go to Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Migration fell dramatically in the early years of the twentieth century and then rose and fell in the years after Ireland's independence. The peace and prosperity enjoyed by Ireland since joining the European Union has slowed emigration almost to a halt.

As the second largest community in Australia, Australians of Irish heritage have had a significant influence not only on the stereotype "Australian" character but on all aspects of Australian society, historically most notably, on the police force, the trade unions, the Catholic Church, politics and education.

Prominent Australians of Irish ancestory include:

• Sir Gerald Brennon AC KBE, Chief Justice of Australia, 1995-98
• Ben Chifley 1885-1951, Prime Minister 1945-49
• John Curtin 1885-1945, Prime Minister 1941-45
• Dymphna Cusack 1902-81, writer and activist for world peace
• Sir William Deane AC KBE, Governor General of Australia 1996-2001
• Geraldine Doogue, journalist and broadcaster
• Claire Dunne, researcher, writer and broadcaster
• Herbert Vere Evatt 1894-1965, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations 1948-49 and Chief Justice of New South Wales 1962-65
• Arthur Fadden 1893-1973, Leader of the Country Party and Prime minister 1941
• Paul Keating, Prime Minister 1991-96
• Ned Kelly c1854-80, bushranger
• Paul Kelly, singer, songwriter and musician
• Thomas Keneally, author
• Norman Lindsay, painter and cartoonist
• Joseph Lyons 1879-1939, Prime Minister 1932-39
• James Scullen, Prime Minister 1929-32
• William Charles Wentworth 1790-1872, explorer

Reference:

Ireland in Brief Embassy of Ireland, Washington DC
The Australian People: An Encyclopedia of the Nation, Its People and Their Origins Edited by James Jupp, Cambridge University Press 2001
Journal of Online Genealogy September 1997, HOLWELL John, A Brief History of Ireland
Grassby A J & Hill Marji Australians All [series] Irish Australians, Macmillan Education Australia 2000