Why did most Irish immigrants of the 1830s and 1840's initially settle in port cities?

Answer 1

Cities had become industrialised, resulting in there being lots of jobs in the cities. The Irish that had immigrated were desperate for jobs so they could feed their families as they were escaping the horrific Irish potatoe famine.

Answer 2

Because of the potato famin. A parasite infected the potatoes in Ireland and potatoes were extremely important in their diet. People began dying and families had no choice but to leave their homes for the cities. They eventually evolved into living their.

Answer 3

Because they landed in the port cities of the US and didn't have money to travel far. Also, the port cities offered many opportunities for employment and a community of fellow Irish immigrants.

Answer 4

While not all Irish transients were poor, most were. Many didn't have the cash to move past the eastern port where they landed, and their numbers before long expanded urban communities like New York and Boston. Many found the changes from their rustic foundations to the generic metropolitan conditions extremely challenging.