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Ireland is the only European country to have its population decrease
by at least 50% in modern times, as a result of the...twin forces of
mass starvation and mass migration.1
Those of us who had to leave remember the songs and the stories. In
the morning sunlight of our leavings, last goodbyes with our loved ones
are heightened by vivid images of our native land: green fields, the
wild cry of the curlew, the silent oak trees, ancient stones, the purple
heather. The very landscape seems to join with our songs and our poems
to mourn our leaving as we go across the water, beyond, abroad, in search
of places where we can live our lives, where we can find fulfilment
for our hopes and dreams. My Aunt Frances used to say that the thing
to do was never look back as you were going up the boreen [laneway]
towards the gate. Whatever you do, never look back.2
Talamh an Eisc
"The Island of Fish"
Visitors to Newfoundland often comment on the Irish character of the
province. This is not surprising. About one third of the Newfoundland
population has Irish roots. Towns like Ferryland, Logy Bay and Fogo
were first settled by Irish immigrants. St. John's, the capital city,
is also very Irish. The Irish influence can be seen in Newfoundland
music, dance and architecture. It can be heard in many Newfoundland
accents.
Newfoundland's strong Irish flavour comes from the fact that the early
Irish immigrants did not leave their culture behind. When they arrived
in Newfoundland they continued to sing the songs and tell the stories
that had been handed down for hundreds of years. They modeled their
houses and farms on those they had left behind in Ireland. Many of the
tools they used had an Irish origin. Some can still be seen in Newfoundland
today:
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