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Massachusetts State Seal
Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Irish Immigration

Irish Immigration In the 1840s, the potato famine struck Ireland. By this time, about one-third of the population depended on the potato for income and sustenance. In the 1850s, a blight struck Ireland and the potatoes were unusable. As a result, millions of Irish left for America to pursue the “American Dream”— and since Massachusetts was on the east coast and relatively easy to reach, many Irish ended up in Boston. Irish Catholic immigration, unfortunately, was opposed by the KnowNothing movement.

- Irish Immigration

Irish Immigration
In the 1840s, the potato famine struck Ireland. By this time, about one-third of the population depended on the potato for income and sustenance. In the 1850s, a blight struck Ireland and the potatoes were unusable. As a result, millions of Irish left for America to pursue the “American Dream”— and since Massachusetts was on the east coast and relatively easy to reach, many Irish ended up in Boston. Irish Catholic immigration, unfortunately, was opposed by the Know-Nothing movement.