Negotiating identity and belonging: Migration narratives of Protestants from Northern Ireland

Abstract

This article draws on the migration narratives of Protestants from NorthernIreland, examining the impact of migration on issues of identity andbelonging, particularly in relation to the Northern Ireland conflict. The lifenarratives were collected during the course of two studies relating tocontemporary migration from Northern Ireland (2004–2007). The authorconcludes that the insecurity of Protestant identity continues to influence thesignificant migration rate of young middle class Protestants, most of whom areunlikely to return to live in Northern Ireland.