Returning to Wexford

In this section, we will take a look at the stories of nine Wexford women. These women have written a book about their childhood experiences in Wexford, their emigration to England and their eventual return home to Wexford.

Since the great potato famine in the 1840s until as late as the 1980s, it was very commonplace for young Irish people to emigrate to England.

In particular, young people from small rural communities were drawn to England's big industrial cities in search of jobs. Although many married and set up new lives in England, for some the draw of returning home was overpowering.

Let's have a look at what these women have to say about their childhoods growing up in Wexford town. We will then find out about their adventures exploring a new country on their own as emigrants from Ireland.