Out of Ireland
Out of Ireland traces the story of flight from the famine-swept villages of 19th century Ireland to the industrialized cities of 20th century America. The program personalizes this transatlantic journey by focusing on the lives of eight specific immigrants, utilizing letters they wrote home to Ireland describing their experiences in the New World.
In Ireland, the story is of a people yearning for change even as they clung desperately to ancient traditions. In America, the story is of policemen and maids, priests and politicians, rogues, wanderers, and victims of discrimination, bemoaning their forced departure from the Old World even as they reaped the benefits of the New World.
The mid-19th century famine in Ireland set the stage for one of the first great waves of European immigrants to America. They tested and profoundly changed America’s notion of itself. As Walt Whitman would say, America had become a “nation of nations.” Out of Ireland, therefore, is about all Americans and the profound historical and psychological consequences, which are out heritage as a nation of Immigrants.
Out of Ireland was produced by Ellen Casey Wagner and Paul Wagner.
The film was based on the research of, and co-written by, Prof. Kerby Miller, who is also interviewed in the film. To learn more about Kerby Miller, click here.
Musician Mick Moloney created the film soundtrack of traditional Irish music and is interviewed and sings in the film. The soundtrack includes performances by Eileen Ivers, John Doyle, Seamus Egan, Tommy Hayes, Jerry O'Sullivan, John Williams, Jimmy Keane and Eugene O'Donnell. To learn more about Mick Moloney, click here.
The Out of Ireland DVD and a “deluxe” version of Out of Ireland including the DVD, the soundtrack CD and an extensive booklet of photos and text tracing the story of Irish immigration are now available.