The Palatines originated from the Lower German Palatinate, a region rich with Protestant refugees in the early 17th century. These refugees had fled persecution in neighbouring lands and sought to rebuild their lives, many settling in Ireland.

The history of the Irish Palatines

In the wake of a particularly harsh winter in 1709 and lured by promises of better opportunities abroad, many Palatine families decided to emigrate. Notices circulated by New World landowners described the advantages of settling in America, sparking a significant exodus. That year, over 13,000 Palatines passed through London on their way to new destinations such as the US and Canada. While some emigrants reached the Americas directly, a significant number were redirected to other parts of the British Empire including Ireland, to estates owned by English Landlords.

Settlement in Ireland

The history of the Palatines is a story of resilience and migration driven by hardship and hope. The Palatinate was repeatedly devastated by French invasions throughout the 17th century, further destabilizing the region.Among the 13,000 Palatines, nearly 3,000 were relocated to rural Ireland in September 1709. This move was part of a strategy by Irish landlords and supported by Queen Anne of England, who sought to increase the Protestant tenant population in Ireland. Despite this, the settlement in Ireland faced significant challenges, and by 1712, more than two-thirds of the settlers had returned to England or Germany.

One of the most successful Irish landlords in retaining Palatine settlers was Sir Thomas Southwell of Castle Matrix, near Rathkeale, County Limerick. Southwell invested heavily in the venture, advocating for government support and covering many initial costs for the settlers. His efforts bore fruit: while only ten families had remained by 1711, Southwell had successfully settled approximately 130 families on his lands by 1714.

Lasting Impact in Ireland

The area surrounding Castle Matrix in County Limerick became the largest and most enduring hub of Irish Palatine settlement, particularly in Killeheen, Ballingrane, and Courtmatrix. Secondary colonies emerged from this parent settlement, including locations such as Adare, Pallaskenry, Glenosheen, Ballyorgan, Ballyriggin (all in County Limerick), Kilcooley (County Tipperary), and Ballymacelligott and Tarbert (County Kerry).

Palatine Surnames

Alton. Baker, Barkman, Bovenize, Bowen, Cole, Cooke, Corneille, Cronsberry, Crow, Delmege, Doupe, Embury, Fizzell, Gleasure, Green, Hartrick, Heavenor, Heck, Hoffman, Hornick, Jacob, Laurence, Legear, Long, Lowe, Mick, Miller, Modler, Piper, Poff, Poole, Rhnehart, Ruttle, Smyth, Shire, Shouldice, Sparling, Steepe, St John, Switzer, Teskey

These communities, rooted in hardship and resilience, have left an enduring legacy in Ireland. Their cultural influence can still be traced in these regions, preserving the unique heritage of the Palatines.

Photo of Irish Palatine Museum credit: Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage National Inventory of Architectural Heritage

For more details on their remarkable history, visit the Irish Palatine Association's website.

Further detailed historical and genealogical information concerning the Irish Palatines can be found, respectively, in Patrick J. O'Connor, People Make Places - The Story of the Irish Palatines, Oireacht na Mumhan: Newcastle West, Ireland, 1989; and Henry Z. Jones, Jr., The Palatine Families of Ireland, 2nd. Ed., Picton Press: Camden, Maine, 1990. These books can be obtained through the Irish Palatine Association in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Eire. Also see at Lester Hartrick's web site his detailed articles on the Palatine emigration and history of the Hartrick clan in Ireland, as well as excerpts from Kathleen Bryant's book Over the Hills and Far Away: Tracing the Sparlings at Mike Barkman's website.

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