The German Pork Butchers of Dublin, 1900-c.1945

Abstract

The stepwise migration of several German-born families through England into Ireland in the early twentieth century resulted in the establishment of a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dublin area that remains to the present day. Following research into their origins and activities, this article reveals that these immigrants overwhelmingly originated from the Württemberg region of southern Germany and were disproportionately engaged as pork butchers. Through a robust kin and kith network, employment opportunities and religious information passed through the small and tight-knit community. The Dublin congregation was wealthy and mostly composed of German-born persons. This article explores the origins, composition, distribution, and experiences of the community across almost fifty years as it experiences continuity and change over time.