Irish immigration was one of the major events in the history of Victorian and Edwardian Scotland. Vaughan renews perspectives on the changes brought about by Irish migrant communities in terms of identity, politics and religion. The book examines the experience of generations of Irish migrants in the West of Scotland (Airdrie, Coatbridge and Greenock) from the aftermath of the Great Famine until the creation of the Republic of Ireland. The 'Local' Irish investigates the meaning of Irishness in medium-sized industrial towns with sectarian reputations. Areas long neglected are given careful consideration, including the history of the 'invisible' Irish Protestant diaspora, the role of the immigrant élites in local politics and the complex position of the Catholic clergy.