Jean Chetkovich

Irish Migration to Australia After 1945: a Case Study of the ''new Irish'' Jean Chetkovich

Reasons why people leave Ireland are integral to thediscourse of Irish migration. Notions of exile orforced migration predominate to such an extent thatthere is barely room for other ideas. The validity ofexile or forced migration concepts are threatened ifthe gradual emergence of a migration culture isacknowledged. Using a case study of Irish migrants toWestern Australia post-1945, the existence of amigration culture is examined and reinforced byevidence from the survey group. Associated with theidea of choosing rather than being forced to leaveIreland, the book also focuses on the influence ofdestination as a positive factor in migration. Thisis in contrast to the more common focus on loss whenleaving Ireland favoured by writers about thediaspora. In an Australian context, the book examinesIrish migrants and their connection to their chosencountry in addition to their disconnection fromIreland. This innovative analysis moves the debateabout causation of Irish migration away fromnineteenth century concepts. It will be of interestto both scholars and members of the Irish diaspora.