Irish Immigration

In the 17th Century the Irish started arriving in Stepney having been evicted from their lands in Ireland. They often had no crafts, unlike the weavers, and had to earn their living by their quick wits and strength.

Immigrants from Ireland and the north of England continued to arrive into the 18th century. Often poor and unskilled they settled in Whitechapel and Poplar. Because of their strength the Irish were much in demand at the wharves.

Irish immigration into the area came to a climax in the 1840's. In 1851 the Irish population of Whitechapel was 10% and in St George's in the East between 8 and 9%. It was lower in Stepney and Poplar, between 4 and 5.95% and in Bethnal Green was under 2%.