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Why Did the Scots Settle in Ireland?
The primary
reason for Scots settling in Ireland was the Plantation of Ulster.
This was a large-scale colonization project initiated by the English
Crown in the early 17th century. The goal was to:
Suppress Gaelic Irish resistance: By settling Protestant Scots
and English in Ulster, the crown aimed to counterbalance the
predominantly Catholic Irish population and reduce the threat of
rebellion.
Colonize vacant land: The Crown saw
Ulster as a largely underutilized territory and sought to exploit its
resources.
Relocate troublesome Borderers: Many of
the Scots settlers were from the Scottish Borders, a region known for
its turbulent history. Moving them to Ireland was seen as a way to
pacify the borderlands.
It's important to note that this process
was often violent and involved the dispossession of native Irish
landowners. While the Plantation of Ulster was the main catalyst for
Scottish settlement, there were also subsequent waves of migration due
to factors such as economic hardship and religious persecution.
The Douglas family is a prominent example of the Scottish nobility
involved in the Plantation of Ulster. Known for their power and
influence in Scotland, they were granted extensive lands in Ireland as
reward for their loyalty to the English Crown.
While the exact
timing and scale of the Douglas family's involvement in the Irish
plantations might vary among different branches of the family, their
presence as significant landowners in Ireland is well-documented. Their
settlement contributed to the broader pattern of Scottish colonization
in the region, shaping the demographic and political landscape of Ulster
for centuries to come.
Articles about the Douglas families of Ireland
Andrew Douglas, d1725
Arthur Coates Douglas, 1902-1937
Charles Kerr Douglas, bc1865
Cunningham Mausoleum, Belfast
Douglas emigrants from Ireland
Douglas Mill x6
Douglas of County Down
Douglas of Dervock
Douglas of Grace Hall
Douglas of Mountain Lodge
Douglas Undertakers
Douglas, Co. Cork
Douglases in Lurgan
Douglases of County Down
Grace Hall
Ireland Undertakers
Plantation of Ulster
Robert St John Blacker-Douglass, 1893-1915
Samuel Douglas MBE
Sir James Douglas of Spott, Living 1610
Wilf Douglas, 1917-2004
William Douglas, born 1921
Why did Scots use Ireland as a stepping
stone to emigrate to America?
Scots emigrated to America
from Ireland primarily due to a combination of factors:
1.
Economic Hardships: Many Scots faced poverty and limited economic
opportunities in Ireland, particularly during the 18th and 19th
centuries. The decline of traditional industries and agricultural
challenges pushed them to seek better prospects in America.
2.
Religious Persecution: Some Scots, especially Presbyterians, faced
discrimination and persecution in Ireland. Seeking religious freedom,
they migrated to America where they hoped to practice their faith
without oppression.
3. Land Displacement: The Highland Clearances
in Scotland led to many Scots being displaced from their lands. This
forced migration contributed to their movement to Ireland and
subsequently to America.
4. Famine: The Great Famine in the
mid-19th century prompted many to leave Ireland altogether in search of
food and stability, leading some Scots to migrate to America.
5.
Family and Community Ties: Established Scottish communities in America
often encouraged relatives and friends to join them, creating a network
of support for new immigrants.
6. Adventure and Opportunity: The
promise of land, work, and a new life attracted many Scots, who were
drawn by the idea of the American Dream.
These factors combined
to create a significant wave of Scottish emigration from Ireland to
America, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries.
See also:
• The Ulster Scots
book
• A history of the
Douglas family who’s Ulster roots are from Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Northern
Ireland and surrounding Townlands. [pdf]
• Map of Irish
clan lands.
•
Ulster Scots in America
• Douglas
families in Lurgan - Mavis's book
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