The Irish: What did they do for Scotland?

We will be exploring the positive and negative impact of the Irish on Scotland.

Life for new immigrants in Scotland…

Finish the following:

When I arrived in Scotland, my life was difficult because……………………….

Their role in shaping Our Scotland

Economy

• Irish immigrants worked for very little pay.

• They were willing to do jobs that many Scots wouldn’t do. • For example, Navvies. These men built the canals,

roads and railways. • Many Irish women worked in the jute mills in Dundee

as they brought experience from the Irish linen trade.

Society & Culture

• St Patrick’s Day Celebrations • Music & Dance

Politics

• Many 2nd generation Irishmen became involved in politics e.g. John Wheatley who is famous for the Wheatley Housing Act which built 500,000 houses in Scotland after WWII.

• Contributed to the fight for votes for women and working class men.

Religion:

• Creation of Catholic schools created a religious divide in Scottish education.

• Creation of football teams has led to sectarianism & sectarian chanting. Scots became involved in this.

Religion:

• Arrival of the Protestant Irish created branches of the Orange Order.

• Led to growth in discrimination and violence, particularly in the West of Scotland.

ACTIVITYUsing the clip ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’, you will independently:

Re-write the scene based on the influence of Irish immigrants on Scotland.

SUCCESS CRITERIAI have:

• Included at least two positive impacts • Included at least two negative impacts • Fully explained all four impacts.

What have the Irish ever done for us?

With a partner, decide:

Should the Irish be put in Room 101? (was their impact mainly negative?)

Should we ‘save’ the Irish from Room 101? (Was their impact mainly positive?

Have 2 reasons to support your answer!