The Irish

The Irish

The first Irish immigrants in Jamaica can be traced to the mid seventeenth century, around the time of capture of the island by the English in 1655. A significant amount of these arrivals were young male bond servants from other neighbouring English territories such as Barbados, St. Kitts and Montserrat. Despite their refusal, many of them had been removed from Ireland as a result of the conquest of Ireland by Cromwell’s forces (Senior, 245-246). Not long thereafter, wives and children— particularly those who were orphans and destitute— of men involved in the Thirteen Years War were sent to Jamaica, as well as other English Caribbean territories (Tortello, 58).

Hundreds of Irish were also sent from Ireland to Jamaica between 1671 and 1675. The terms of work varied according to age and social status. However, restrictions were also placed on diet, clothing, behavior and religion. For instance, those Irish who were under age eighteen (18) would serve for a period of seven 7 years, while those over eighteen 18 would serve for four (Senior, 245).

Jamaica received another influx of Irish immigrants during the period 1835 to 1841, but this marked the end of mass Irish immigration. Like other white immigrant groupings, they were brought to increase the white population after the abolition of slavery in 1834 and also boost the labour force. They were tasked with work on sugar and coffee plantations, employed as skilled workers and enrolled in the police force. But, as was the case with previous settlers, the tropical climate, work regime and harsh treatment all served to reduce their population as many died and left the island for other territories (Senior, 246).

Evidence of Jamaica’s Irish connection can be seen in different aspects of the society. They include:

Ethnic composition— Several prominent Jamaicans are of Irish descent: Sir Alexander Bustamante (National Hero and former prime minister), Claude Mckay (poet), Chris Blackwell (record producer), Sir Phillip Sherlock (former UWI Vice Chancellor), and Phillip Feany (horse trainer) (Tortello, 57)

Appellation- Among common Irish surnames is Burke, Collins, Mackey, Murphy and Madden. Place names include Irish Town (this was one of the first/ original Irish settlements) in St. Andrew, Kildare and Clonmel (the name originated in Tipperary, Ireland) in St. Mary, and Belfast and Middleton in St. Thomas (Tortello, 57; Sibley, 37 & 80)

The Police Force- This is modeled off the Irish Police Force, and perhaps the most prominent feature that is synonymous with the Irish is the red stripes or what Jamaicans usually refer to as red seam on the trousers (Tortello, 59)

Dance- Folk dances, such as those associated with the Maroons, are influenced by Irish Reels (Senior, 245)

Language- The development of Jamaican English or Creole was strongly influenced by the Irish. It is said that the slaves and Irish often interacted because they worked in positions that facilitated frequent communication (Senior, 246)

Sources

Senior, Olive. Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage. St. Andrew: Twin Guinep Publishers, 2003.

Sibley, Knibb Inez. Dictionary of Place - Names in Jamaica. Institute of Jamaica, 1978.

Tortello, Rebecca. Pieces of the Past: a Stroll Down Jamaica’s Memory Lane. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers, 2007.