Forward
Let us examine the progress of Palatine colonisation in Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern parts of the continent; generally where the emigrants were lured by promises and offers of better living conditions. We find the Palatines hoping, searching and acquiring their new homes.

A- Ireland.
Original settlement - number of emigrants - their settlements - poor beginnings - later conditions.

We have seen on pages 52-58 how, in 1709, a number of Palatines were carried directly to Ireland on their arrival to England. I cannot find the whereabouts or the relation ship in the quotation "Several, with wives and children, were settled in destitute huts, near the borders of Scotland". It will be interesting to see the relationship when this group is found.

The Viceroy of Ireland gave this attempt at colonisation it's first impetus, with the object of cultivating much fallow land, establishing a weaving industry and increasing the Protestant element. Parliament, with the approval of Queen Anne, granted 8000 pounds sterling towards the settling of the colony, during the first three years of the project. The Viceroy had asked Parliament to send him "As many of the poor Germans as possible, they would be supported and their welfare looked after." By this arrangement. the Public Authorities were happy to be free of their bothersome guests. In 1709, by Wagon, the emigrants were brought to Chester and from there by ship to Ireland. Their stated numbers vary; our report on page 56, mentions 3688 head of which 800 were returned to Germany (p.58); a further 746 appear to not have had sufficient zeal to reach their goal; therefore, it would seem that only 2888 found a second home in Ireland, where as other sources report 500 families of 3800 souls.

Those emigrants, experienced in agriculture, were placed on land in the South West of the island, in the County of Limerick, near Arabela, Adare, Rathkeale and Killiheen, respectively. The Archbishop of Dublin, concerned with their spiritual welfare, had the English Book of Common Prayer, hymns, etc. translated into High German and distributed to the colonists.

Probably generous aid was to have been given, as mentioned on p56 from contemporary report, but in the beginning, it was no bed of roses and the "Had neither anything or a crumb to bite." Like Bohemians, P.8, they complained about the heartless residents and likewise, the residents complained about these lazy and indolent refuges.

In the course of time came better conditions; the descendants of these emigrants became well to do farmers in the County of Limerick. According to Farrer and Kohl, the German Palatines had retained their German character and language as late as the middle of the last century. They by their diligence, good management and honest trading, stand out from their Irish neighbours; "They eat potatoes instead of sauerkraut and only their speech has been retained until the present."

I have no knowledge of their present position. My enquiries to the Limerick County Government and the German Vice-Consul remain unanswered. I wonder whether the latter generations have any idea of their Palatine origins. In any case, it was an interesting research

Translated by B.W. Switzer, 15th July 1973