From Munster to La Coruña across the Celtic sea: emigration, assimilation, and acculturationin the Kingdom of Galicia (1601-40)

Abstract

Between 1602 and 1608 c. 10.000 individuals from all strata of predominantly Gaelic Irish society in the south west of Ireland emigrated to the north west of Spain in the aftermath of the failed Spanish military intervention at Kinsale in 1601-02, leading to the consolidation of the fledling Irish community in La Coruña in Galicia. This has permitted an analysis of the community´s assimilation and integration to the civil, ecclesiastical and royal structures of Galicia and the Spanish monarchy. The results show how the initial introspection of the Irish community during the first decade gave way to a rapid enforced assimilation and integration during the following decade. At the same time their altered socio-economic and political circumstances led to wide ranging changes in the community´s internal structures and socio-cultural values.