A Catholic Handbook for Irish Men & Women Going to England

The Catholic Truth Society of Ireland was founded in 1899 and published a range of books and pamphlets on the Catholic faith in Ireland. This booklet reflects concerns by the Irish Catholic Church of the perceived secularisation and loss of cultural identity of Irish immigrants arriving in England in the 1950s. As well as being sold in Catholic bookshops in Ireland the booklet could also be found in many school libraries in areas of Ireland particularly affected by migration.
Between 1951 and 1961 over 500,000 Irish immigrants came to Britain in search of work and a better life. The majority arrived in London, the Midlands, Bedford and Luton where, as noted in the introduction of this pamphlet, they faced discrimination when searching for housing, with signs stating 'No Irish, no blacks, no dogs' a familiar sight in the windows of rented accommodation.
Work was often easier to find than a home. In the early 1950s Irish male migrants worked on post-war reconstruction projects including roads and the Festival of Britain site. Irish trained nurses came to work in the newly founded NHS, while other women found employment in the service sector including bar work and domestic clearning. The religious needs of the new generation of Irish immigrants were served by a growing number of Catholic churches. Culturally they established, social and sports clubs, societies and welfare agencies. Continuity of culture and religion for the next generation was ensured by the opening of Catholic church schools.

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