Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Charting and understanding Irish women's emigration inn the twenthieth century -- The rhetorical, political and legislative framing of Irish women emigrants -- Travelling and the morality of moving -- Morality and immorality : the temptatuons of city life -- 'Bride famine', 'empty cradles' and 'leakage' : Irish women emigrants, motherhood, marriage and religious practice -- Jobs for the girls : discourses on Irish women's employment -- Types of employment for Irish women in Britain : more than just nurses and 'skivvies'? -- Conclusion.

Drawing on a wide range of archival material, this book traces new narratives to bring original insights into the migration of thousands of Irish women in the 20th century. Despite having a strong tendency to leave Ireland like men, women's migration to Britain has been less well studied. Yet Irish women could be found in all walks of life in Britain, from the more familiar fields of nursing and domestic service to teaching, factory work and more. This original study also considers the public commentary made about Irish women from the pulpit, press and politicians, who thought the women to be flighty, in need of guidance and prone to moral failures away from home. The repeated coverage of the 'emigrant girl' in government memos and journals gave the impression Irish women were leaving for reasons other than employment.