From Cork to the New World: A Journey for Survival

by Michael E. McCarthy

account of journey of immigration from ireland to the united states

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

"From Cork to the New World: A Journey for Survival is a work of historical fiction based on a true story: rather than watch their children weaken and starve, the McCarthy and Sullivan families leave poverty-stricken Ireland to become part of the Peter Robinson Settlement in Canada. Robinson, a member of the Canadian Upper Parliament, was responsible for bringing thousands of Irish settlers to Canada, where they vastly improved their situation through hard work and determination. The story follows the fortunes, trials and tribulations of Thomas McCarthy, his wife Johanna and their three children. At the same time, we learn about the William Sullivan family, who travel on a different ship to Canada. The two families become acquainted when Denis McCarthy agrees to teach the Sullivan children to read.

Both families must deal with tragedies and never is a day taken for granted, although every day there is cause for thanks. Interspersed throughout is the Irish love of song, music and dance."

Michael E. McCarthy is a local author. This story is based on his ancestry and tells how it was for so many Irish that emigrated to Canada or the US.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did what any good historical fiction book should do -- introduce you to elements of history of which you were unaware and make them come alive through the fictional lives of the character. In this case, I learned about the Irish emigration to Upper Canada spearheaded by the British during a timing when poverty and heavy taxation had left Irish peasants destitute. I also gained an appreciation of the continual perils settlers faced in the early 1800's as disease ravaged weakened bodies. Canada's cultural history is far more complex than what it appears to be on the surface. When you combine the Irish emigration to escape poverty, the African migration to Canada to escape slavery in America, the French/British conflict over ownership of the land, and the workers of various nationalities brought in to work on Erie Canal (on both sides of the border) you get a complex tapestry of factors working to shape Canada and Upstate New York. I'm looking forward to reading the Children of Michigan Street and continuing to learn about the development of this area.

[Debbie Lustig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about the McCarthy journey from Ireland to Canada and how it all came about. I believe it is based on some truth and I am currently working on my Ancestry and I am a McCarthy. I enjoyed reading about those times and am very thankful that they came.