Rebuilding London Irish Migrants in Post-War Britain

The years immediately after World War II were known as the decade of disappearing Irish—the peak period of immigration after the great famine. Many of these migrants went to Britain and played a key role in the rebuilding the country after the ravages of war. Their legacy, both in bricks and mortar and also in their cultural and social influences, can still be seen today. Following a brief overview of Ireland and Britain during the post-war years, this book explores the economic and social factors of migration, the work, such as navvies and nurses, that the migrants found in Britain, particularly in London, and the support systems, such as the Church, pubs, Irish clubs, and charities, that were formed as a result.

Miki Garcia is an American-Irish journalist and author who has been researching the Irish Diaspora for the last few years. Her previous publications include Ireland’s Invasion of the World, The Irish in San Francisco after the Gold Rush, and All about Ireland.