Travellers to Ireland in the 1800s were struck by the depth of poverty and destitution they observed in many parts of the country. Research undertaken for Part 1 of this book suggests that the socio- economic conditions present in the west and, in particular, the east Mayo area were disproportionally egregious when compared to the rest of the country. As a result of the privation suffered, emigration from this area during the late 1800s and beyond was proportionally greater than that of other regions.

Parallel with this exodus was the movement of thousands of spalpeens (migratory agricultural labourers), who, from the pre- Famine era up to the mid- 1900s, travelled from east Mayo to the harvest in England each year. Their stories intersect with those who emigrated permanently between 1940 and 1970, some of whose narratives are related to Part 11.

Jack Foley, a native of Corthoon, Charlestown, County Mayo, worked in the teaching profession until retirement in 1995. His interest in migration studies emanated from witnessing the mass exodus of vast numbers of young people from his home area during the 1940s and 1950s. Jack now lives in Cootehill, County Cavan. The author has produced a beautiful hardback book of 332 pages, providing wonderful detail and information on this most interesting subject matter.