History of The Irish Community in Coatbridge
The Irish first began arriving in Coatbridge in the early 19th century. During this period there was great tension between the new immigrants and the native miners. The 1851 census notes that the Irish born population in Coatbridge made up a total of 35.8% of the population. However it should be acknowledged that a significant proportion of these emigrants would have been Protestant. Sectarian strife was a feature of the 19th century Coatbridge. In 1857 there were reports of riots between local Catholics and Protestants. The New York Times reported on serious "riots" between local Catholics and Orangemen which occurred during 1883.
According to James Handley, by 1901, the percentage of Irish born in Coatbridge had fallen to around 15%, but remained the highest of all the major towns in Scotland. Handley's figures excluded the offspring of Irish-born migrants and Handley argues that taking into consideration the culturally higher birth rates of Irish Catholic families at this time the true figure of Irish population in Coatbridge at this time was in fact much greater.
In the late 19th century the largest and most generous Irish Home Rule organization in Britain was found in Coatbridge.
19th-century writers Andrew Miller and the Coatbridge poet Janet Hamilton both refer to the Irish in Coatbridge. Modern day writer Des Dillon also writes at length about the descendants of the 19th-century Irish immigrants in present day Coatbridge.
The formation of Whifflet Shamrock in 1888 suggests an attempt to set up a team to represent the Coatbridge Irish community. The now deceased Patrick Sarsfield hurling club was set up in 1902 with the Éire Óg club conceived a few years later. Éire Óg went on to win the league title in 1909. Owen Roe O'Neill Gaelic Football Club was founded in the town in 1912.
In 1919 three branches of Sinn Féin were in existence. There was also a Gaelic League branch (Canon O'Keefe branch) in the town in 1901. In the 1950 general election the Irish Anti-Partition League put up a candidate in the constituency covering Coatbridge. There is also quite a large Orange heritage in Coatbridge with Men's and Women's Lodges and various flute bands including Lily Of The Valley and Prince of Orange.
General estimates that at least 60% of the population of Coatbridge have Irish Catholic backgrounds are based upon census figures, factors such as high number of Catholic church parishes in the town (nine) and the fact that there are currently two Catholic secondary schools and one 'non-denominational' school. Religious statistics gathered in the 2001 census are not available on the census website due to 'risk' and the statistics being deemed 'sensitive data', but Catholicism was recorded at just over 50%.
In 2006, Coatbridge (along with Port Glasgow and Clydebank) was voted 'the least Scottish town in Scotland' due to having the highest percentage of Irish names in the country. Reportedly more than 28% of adults in Coatbridge had names with Irish origins, ironically the most Scottish place in Scotland, Barra, is the most Catholic place in Scotland as well.
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