Irish people have strong ties with France. Our survey results demonstrate this fact by showing that employment and work experience are the main motivations for Irish emigration to France.
French have an affinity with Ireland that borders on tribal, and perhaps genetic. Their ancestry connects them to ancient Irish.
Normans
The Normans were a group of Vikings that conquered England in 1066 under William the Conqueror’s leadership. Additionally, they invaded France and Sicily before becoming a powerful military force.
The Normans originated from northern France – known as Normandy at that time – where they mixed with Vikings and native peoples of that area. They utilized a feudal system of government; their monarch was an immensely powerful figure who had advisers and ministers helping him make decisions.
Norman culture relied heavily on knowledge of how to use a sword for warfare. Their social hierarchy included lords, soldiers and indentured servant farmers; the former would pay their soldiers off with land or loot from lords while their system of justice was similar to Anglo-Saxon’s.
Vikings
The Vikings were seafaring peoples that raided and conquered across Europe from Ireland to Greenland. While originally pagan, most converted to Christianity at some point. Additionally, their symbolism conveyed multiple layers of meaning for those familiar with them – one such legend being Ivar the Boneless who led his Great Heathen Army in its raid against England in 866 AD.
Jen McNabb of University of Northern Iowa history professor is passionate about sharing Viking legends with her students. Their appeal extends far beyond horned helmets or swords; even those without direct Viking bloodlines still understand these individuals had real lives that have inspired legends that deserve sharing. Recent genetic testing has confirmed Irish descendants possess significant Viking genetic material within them.
Huguenots
The Huguenots emerged during a period of immense cultural and political change in Europe. Following Reformation theologian John Calvin, these groups separated themselves from Catholicism during 16th and 17th century reformations movements.
They faced harsh persecution for their beliefs which threatened both Catholic Church and French monarchy authority. Amid this oppression they fled France en masse to found Huguenot colonies both across Europe and in North America.
Irish Huguenots found refuge in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny and Portalington amongst other cities. Their descendants left an indelible mark on Irish culture and history – such as writers Sheridan Le Fanu and William Larminie of William Larminie as well as 20th century politician Sean Francis Lemass to name just three examples.
Linen Industry
After arriving in Ireland after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 10,000 Huguenots made one of their greatest contributions by reinvigorating the linen industry. Louis Crommelin set up a weaving factory at Lisburn and is considered a founding father of Irish linen industry.
Growing and processing of linsey fiber into yarn and fabric require many workers, particularly women. Like many traditional cottage industries, it was usually located close to its source of raw materials.
At present, most of the world’s quality flax harvest is grown in northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands and purchased by spinners who then weave it either plain fabric for apparel purposes or using intricate damask patterns to produce luxury house linens and other luxury end uses.
Slavery
Ireland’s slavery trade history is one of the more shocking chapters in Britain’s long-term subjugation of their nation. Manacled and brutalised Irish chattel populated ships which traversed Africa and the Caribbean waters in service of empire and profit.
Normans too were keen on the business of slavery; Rouen became France’s premier port for such activities at one time. Yet as time progressed they too turned against this practice for reasons that are hard to pinpoint exactly.
Nini Rodgers points out that this shift could have been driven by changes both economic and moral; nevertheless it didn’t prevent Irish ‘Wild Geese’ fleeing to France where they formed a small community – precursors of what eventually became the Irish College in 1578.