origin of Scots in Ulster

[gjesdahl]

Hi folks,

I was just wondering if anyone knew the proportions of settlers in Ulster that were from Galloway and Ayrshire versus from the Borders. I've read that 5 in 6 of the settlers were Scots (as opposed to English), but there were significant cultural differences between Southwest and Southeast Scotland at the time and it seems like the proportion would heavily influence the cultural development of Northern Ireland.

Thanks

[hiorta]

The Plantations in Ulster were made for English ethnic-cleansing purposes. The first attempts were with the French Hugenots - possibly two attempts.

The natural resistance of the Irish incumbants at being turned off their homelands at bayonet point was eventually overcome, which together with the barbarian Penal Laws, were ultimately successful in the Irish Clearances.

The resulting legacy of bitterness has proved so costly that the question has never been officially asked: was it worth it?

[gjesdahl]

Yes, the plantations were brutal and unjust, but they happened and to try to undo them would also be brutal and unjust. Therefore, it's useful to understand the cultural background of the people who did settle there.

[Lachlan09]

Originally Posted by hiorta

The Plantations in Ulster were made for English ethnic-cleansing purposes. The first attempts were with the French Hugenots - possibly two attempts.

The natural resistance of the Irish incumbants at being turned off their homelands at bayonet point was eventually overcome, which together with the barbarian Penal Laws, were ultimately successful in the Irish Clearances.

The resulting legacy of bitterness has proved so costly that the question has never been officially asked: was it worth it?

I don't disagree but if I can be a pernickety pain in the ass for a moment, they didn't have bayonets at the time of the plantations, sword-points and pike-points yes, but no bayonet-points.