A letter from a concerned individual, C.W. O’Callaghan, highlights the challenges faced by Irish girls working in the English domestic servant market. O’Callaghan notes that, once placed in service, these young women often find it difficult to maintain their cultural and religious identities, and rarely return to Ireland.

The letter shares an example of a Limerick girl working as a housekeeper in Nottingham who began attending Protestant services despite her Catholic background. When confronted about the change in her religious practices, the young girl justified her actions by saying she still read her Catholic prayer book during the services.

This insight into the lives of Irish domestic servants in England raises concerns about the preservation of their cultural identities, emphasizing the need for support systems to help them stay connected to their roots.

Dublin Leader – Saturday 27 June 1903