Oceans of Consolation: Personal Accounts of Irish Migration to Australia

"This volume provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives and attitudes of Irish migrants to the Seven Colonies of Australasia in the 19th century. Fitzpatrick presents a richly textured and nuanced reading of 111 letters between emigrants and 'the old country,' telling us much not only about the aspirations of emigrants, their successes and disappointments, but also about the culture and style of the correspondence itself. A substantial contribution to both Irish and Australian history."--Virginia Quarterly Review