EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum

This book tells the stories of the 70 million descendants of Irish emigrants living all over the world. Ireland and the Irish identity have been shaped by migration. People left and still leave the island for many reasons, some pushed by circumstances at home, others pulled by opportunities abroad. No two stories are the same, but many emigrants are linked by common motivations and shared experiences. Today these emigrants and their descendants number over 70 million people. They can be found in all four corners of the globe. Published with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, this book tells their stories.4 INTRODUCTION 8 AN OPEN ISLAND 10 LEAVING THE ISLAND 14 ARRIVING IN A NEW WORLD 16 BELIEF 18 HUNGER, WORK, COMMUNITY 20 CONFLICT 22 STATE AND SOCIETY 24 INFLUENCE AND IMPACT 28 CHANGING THE GAME 30 PLAYING THE WORLD 32 DISCOVERING AND INVENTING 34 LEADING CHANGE 36 ACHIEVING INFAMY 38 MUSIC AND DANCE 42 EATING AND DRINKING 44 CREATING AND DESIGNING 46 STORYTELLING 48 CELEBRATION 50 CONNECTION 52 FAREWELL 54 HISTORY OF CHQ AND EPIC 60 THE JEANIE JOHNSTON 62 IRISH FAMILY HISTORY CENTRE 64 CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS