Why a Booktrail?
1821 – 1991: What is the Irish connection in Jamaica?
The Tide Between Us
What you need to know before your trail
Part 1 (1821 – 1891) tells the story of Art O’Neill, who records his life in his final years. He begins with his boyhood in Ireland where he lived in the shadow of Lugdale Estate. After the local landlord was assassinated, Art was deported to the cane fields of Jamaica as an indentured servant on Mangrove Plantation. When he acclimatizes to the strange exotic country and bizarre customs of the African slaves, he assumes his days of English tyranny are finished until the arrival of the new heirs to Mangrove Plantation.
Part 2 is based in Ireland (1921 – 1991). It opens with the discovery of a skeleton beneath a tree on the grounds of Lugdale Estate with a gold coin minted in 1870. Yseult, the owner of Ludgale Estate watches the events unfold and recaps on the rumours that abounded about her father’s beginnings in Jamaica, a country with 25% of the population claiming Irish descent. As the body gives up its secrets, Yseult realises she too can no longer hide.
Travel Guide
Jamaica and The Irish Connection
by Olive Collins and Swirl and Thread
The extent of Irish emigration to the Caribbean and Jamaican is so prolific that a staggering 25% of Jamaican citizens claim Irish ancestry, the second-largest reported ethnic group in Jamaica after African ancestry.
It began in 1655 when England captured Jamaica from Spain, Oliver Cromwell needed to populate their new colony. Who better to use, than the Irish. Some were convicts, many indentured servants and very few of the Irish deportees had committed any great crimes. Deportation “beyond the sea, either within His Majesty’s dominions or elsewhere outside His Majesty’s Dominions” was one of their methods of dealing with the Irish Issue and more importantly, populating England’s new acquisition. Large numbers of the Irish exiles died from heat and diseases.
It was thought that the Irish would have a better chance of survival if they were introduced to the climate at young age. Cromwell then sent 2,000 children between the age of 10 and 14 years. Migration to Jamaica continued through the 17th century.
Although the Irish exiles were not chattel slaves. Their white-skin meant they would know freedom when their Indenturship expired. Some Irish emigrated willingly, especially during the sugar boom but few had any of idea of what to expect. In 1841 a Jesuit priest recorded the arrival of a ship from Limerick, “They landed in Kingston wearing their best clothes and temperance medals.” They laid their roots and contributed to Jamaica’s changing island and motto, “Out of many, one people.”
Some Irish acquired land and slaves. Names like O’Hara and O’Connor were recorded in 1837 during the compensation hearings when slaves were freed and their owners remunerated. The strong Irish influence is seen in place names, Irish Town, Clonmel, Dublin Castle, Sligoville, Belfast, Athenry and Kildare. Not only are the Irish surnames and townlands evident of the strong shared history, there are striking similarities between the Maroon dance formations in Accompaong and Irish reels.
There are words spoken in remote parts of Jamaica with a clear Irish lilt and there are songs sung reminiscent of the struggles that continued in their homeland while they laid roots in their exotic new home, Jamaica.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Tide Between Us
Destination: Limerick, Kingston Author/Guide: Olive Collins Departure Time: 1821 – 1991
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