Emigration & Influence
For centuries Ulster-Scots have left Ireland for new opportunities in new lands. In many cases they took with them only what they could carry. However, they also brought their spirit of determination, tenacity and innovation to wherever they chose to go.
In many of their adopted new homelands their influence was disproportionate to their numbers. They were pioneers, educators and some became presidents. This section tells the story about the emigration of Ulster-Scots people and their influence.
Abain / Aboon
Example:It's up thonner abain / aboon your heid.
Meaning: Above
Example: It's up there above your head.
AUSTRALIA
There has never been a mass Ulster exodus to Australia but since the early 1800s a steady stream of Ulster families have made the long journey ‘down under’.
INDIA, CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD
Over the centuries, many hundreds of thousands of Ulster-Scots have left these shores. They have travelled to every corner of the globe in search of new opportunities. Their influence has been huge and their legacy includes pioneers, presidents., military commanders, religious leaders and giants of commerce.
CANADA
Canada, like Ulster, experienced Scottish settlement in the early 1600s, although it was much less successful. Sir William Alexander settled Scots in Nova Scotia in the 1620s. His daughter Jean married Sir Hugh Montgomery’s eldest son. They built a large home and estate at Comber, Co. Down which they named ‘Mount Alexander’.
NEW ZEALAND
Between 1841 and 1846 all of New Zealand’s North Island north of the Patea River was referred to as New Ulster. Today, 450,000 New Zealanders claim Irish descent – and almost half these are of Ulster stock.
