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The '''Protestant Irish''' or '''Scots-Irish''' or '''Scotch-Irish''' were immigrants from Ireland to America of Protestant background. Most were Presbyterians whose ancestors moved from Scotland to Ireland, especially the northeastern part that is today [[Northern Ireland]]. About 250,000 migrated in the period 1740-1770, heading especially to the frontier regions where they were herders and farmers. After 1800 another 100,000 came to America, while others went to Canada.
The '''Protestant Irish''' or '''Scots-Irish''' or '''Scotch-Irish''' were immigrants from Ireland to America of Protestant background. Most were Presbyterians whose ancestors moved from Scotland to Ireland, especially the northeastern part that is today [[Northern Ireland]]. About 250,000 migrated in the period 1710-1770, heading especially to the frontier regions where they were herders and farmers.<ref>Some of these had been Catholic in Ireland but became protestants in America.</ref> From 1800 to 1860 another 100,000 came to America, while others went to Canada.
They called themselves "Irish" --the term "Scots Irish" came later--and produced such notable politicians as [[Andrew Jackson]] (President 1829-37) and [[James Knox Polk]] (President 1845-49). After 1850 or so they lost a sense of ethnicity and blended into the general population.
They called themselves "Irish" --the term "Scots Irish" came later--and produced such notable politicians as [[Andrew Jackson]] (President 1829-37) and [[James Knox Polk]] (President 1845-49). After 1850 or so they lost a sense of ethnicity and blended into the general population.
Although the [[Orange Order]] was strong among Protestant Irish in Canada, it never caught hold in the United States. There were relatively few instances of violence btween the Catholic Irish and the protestant Irish--the most notable being riots in Philadelphia in 1844 and New York City in 1870 and 1871.
About 45 million Americans are of Irish descent--and a majority are Protestants. Originally most were Presbyterians. Today the largest number are [[Southern Baptist Convention|Baptists]], followed by [[United Methodist Church|Methodists]].
Although the [[Orange Order]] was strong among Protestant Irish in Canada, it never caught hold in the United States. There were relatively few instances of violence between the Catholic Irish and the protestant Irish--the most notable being riots in Philadelphia in 1844 and New York City in 1870 and 1871.
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Catholic Irish]]
* [[Catholic Irish]]