In response to Joe Humphreys’ piece, “‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’: How common were such notices in Britain?” (Unthinkable, April 29th), I would like to offer my perspective as a resident of England and Wales for 34 years, predominantly within working-class areas. Over those years, I only fell prey to anti-Irish bigotry twice. Once, I was subjected to an unsettling incident that I believed was an outcome of the increased suspicion towards Irish immigrants following the horrific IRA bombing. These experiences, while reflecting an unfortunate part of our past, should be documented.
Conversely, it’s also easy to lose sight of the brighter aspects of our migration history to Britain. These migrants did not just secure jobs or opportunities unavailable in their home country, they also significantly contributed to the economic, political, and social growth of British society.
Our collective experiences as Irish migrants have largely been shaped by the political ties, at given times, between Ireland and Britain, often complicated especially in regard to Northern Ireland.
The overarching narrative of Irish migration to Britain, however, is one that highlights the power of positive human interaction and smooth assimilation into British society. Hence, alongside looking for instances of anti-Irish racism, it is crucial to narrate the story of our shared histories and experiences and how, despite considerable differences, we managed to discover common values with both the British and the other migrant communities, thus contributing to a more inclusive society.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Hoban,
Drimoleague,
Co Cork.