How the Famine Irish built New York

Irish History Podcast

Fin Dwyer

History, Interviews, War Of Independence, Ireland, Norman Invasion, Vikings, Great Famine, Great Hunger, Irish History

4.7 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 14 February 2023

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Between 1840 and 1860 the population of New York almost trebled growing from 300,000 to 800,000. This influx of migrants from Europe gave birth to modern Manhattan. At the heart of this story were the 250,000 Irish people who made the city their home in the aftermath of the Great Hunger.

This is the story of the Famine Irish in New York.

In this episode I interview Dr Tyler Anbinder from George Washington University. An expert in the history of New York, Tyler vividly explain New York of the 1850s and how the Famine Irish adapted to life in the city. You can find Tyler’s books here https://history.columbian.gwu.edu/tyler-anbinder. I would recommend Five Points: The Nineteenth-Century New York City Neighborhood that Invented Tap Dance, Stole Elections, and Became the World's Most Notorious Slum

My series on the civil war continues next week when myself and Dr Brian Hanley discuss Michael Collins, the man, the myth and his role in the conflict. You can get the series on Acast+ or at the $5 tier on patreon.com/irishpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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0:00.0	In the mid-19th century, New York was one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
0:11.2	Between 1840 and 1860, its population nearly tripled in size, growing from 300,000 to 800,000.
0:20.4	In those years, the city also underwent an extraordinary transformation, giving birth
0:25.6	to modern New York.
0:27.6	But the heart of this story was the quarter of a million Irish famine emigrants who made
0:32.8	the city their home after fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland.
0:37.3	The story of the famine Irish in New York is indeed remarkable.
0:41.6	Over the space of just 15 years, they became the largest community in the city, even out
0:47.7	numbering native-born New Yorkers in most districts.
0:52.2	This is a captivating history that defies stereotypes of romanticised poverty or streets
0:57.8	paved with gold.
0:59.4	As you're about to hear, the actual story is far more interesting.
1:04.2	Now before we continue, we'll get the formalities out of the way.
1:07.2	My name is Finn DeWire.
1:09.2	This is the Irish History Podcast, and today's episode is a story of the famine Irish in
1:14.3	New York.
1:15.3	If you're tuning in for the first time, don't forget to subscribe to the show.
1:19.6	When I've lots of great content on the way, I also have a full series on the Great Hunger
1:24.4	you will find fascinating if you enjoy this show that dates from around 2018.
1:30.4	In today's episode, I'm joined by Professor Tyler and Binder.
1:34.6	Tyler is a professor in George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and he's an expert
1:39.8	in the history of New York and the famine Irish in the city.
	...

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