The Passengers who arrived last spring in the Brig Dolphin, John Down, master, from Waterford, and Schooner Jubilee, John Cousins, master, from Cork, are desired to take notice, that if their passages are not paid on or before the 10th day of November next, that their notes will be sent to Ireland, to recover their sureties there.

Samuel Codner
Oct. 12th, 1816¹⁶

Those who could not pay often remained in Newfoundland illegally. Some went to isolated coves and bays in Newfoundland and started their own communities. Other "deserters" were found and sent back to Ireland.

Conclusion

By the middle of the 19th century relations between the English and Irish in Newfoundland had improved. John Kent, who was born in Waterford, Ireland in 1805, became the Prime Minister of Newfoundland in 1858. Catholic and Protestant Newfoundlanders learned to accept their differences. Slowly but surely, the Irish began to move into positions of power.

Today the Irish influence can be seen everywhere in Newfoundland. The Benevolent Irish Society (BIS) does much to keep Irish culture and traditions alive. The teaching orders the Irish Christian Brothers, the Sisters of Mercy and the Presentation Sisters all have Irish roots and continue to operate today. Irish folk song and dance can be seen every summer in the many folk festivals around the province.

The Irish migration to Newfoundland took nearly 200 years to complete. During that time there were many changes in Newfoundland. Despite the hard times they endured, the Irish made a great contribution to Newfoundland's social and economic life. Today, their descendants continue to do the same.