Book that charts the journey of the Irish to Harlow is re-published after twenty years.
Harlow is 70: Why I Came Here / Fri 20th May 2022 at 07:59am
A BOOK that highlights the journey of Irish people from the land of their birth to Harlow has just been re-published.
Catherine Dunne’s book: “An Unconsidered People” was first published in 2002.
However, last year her publisher told her the book had seen sales increase over lockdown and so asked the acclaimed novelist for another chapter in preparation for a re-launch.
Catherine interviewed over 200 people as part of her research for the book.
The interviews with Harlow residents are fascinating insights into life in post-war Ireland and their journey to Harlow. With the interviews having taken place twenty years ago, some people have died but their testimony stands as an important legacy and a vital part of Harlow’s social history.
She interviewed a number of Harlow residents including: Annie Howell, Peter Howell, Tony Maher, Des Kelleher, Evelyn Kelly, Charlie Ruane, Joe Dunne, Margaret Dunne and Kevin Casey.
YH spoke to Catherine Dunne about the book.
An Unconsidered People has been reissued by New Island Books with a new chapter by the author, Catherine Dunne, and this foreword by Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of Modern Irish History at University College Dublin
Dave Summerville
2022-05-21 13:37:01
Great interview--can' t wait to read the book--it's interesting how well first and particularly second generation Irish have integrated so well------being from the North, and experiencing the early days of "the Troubles" ( not the reason I moved to England as I already made my mind up to leave at 14--my mother sitting me down and explaining there was no future in N Ireland which I agreed with ), I never, and still don't have, a compulsion to move back to the North--my early days when I moved here at 18 was having to watch my back as my Northern Irish background meant people thought I was anti- British and pro IRA--certainly not true as I have always been anti-violence and religiously tolerant of everyone. I am proud of my Irish heritage, but also of being accepted in England and being able to have a good life here.
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