As part of our novel work we learned about the emigration of the Irish people to America during and after the famine. We hotseated the character of Peggy to develop our understanding of how difficult this decision must have been, the long journey and arrival and survival in the 'New World.'
The Primary 7 girls expressed excellently the feelings and difficulties faces from their understanding of the novel and character.
During the activity the girls expressed how Peggy wanted to go to America as she saw it was the 'New World' and she wanted to be a kitchen maid there. Rachel and Ellie expressed how difficult a decision this was for Peggy. Peggy had to go herself as Michael had planned to go but then had found his dream job as a stable boy. Nano was too old to face the long voyage and Eily had no intention of going and was getting married. Rachel and Lucy expressed how terrible the journey was and how meeting a new friend Sarah Connelly had made the journey a little easier.
Rachel and Jennifer talked about their mixed feelings, and being both scared, a little excited and very homesick. On arrival in the 'New World' Rachel, Catherine, Ava and Aoife revealed how they met Mrs Margaret Halligan who helped them settle and find a job.
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