Spring Fever…most people get it regardless of what age they are, just the fever is not as high as you get older. But for those lucky enough to have spring fever during Spring Break, they may notice a heavy Irish influence in the Caribbean….which has an interesting history behind it.

The Irish slave trade prospered in the mid 1600s under Cromwell. In 1629 a large group of Irish men and women were sent to Guiana, and by 1632, Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. The influence was so great in Montserrat, that even in the late 1800s Gaelic was still frequently spoken by the residents. Irish sailors who visited the island at this time were shocked to meet local black residents speaking their native language, and they were also treated to some typical Irish humor. The dark skinned residents, with tongue in cheek, told the pale faced Irish sailors that they did not look too Irish.

St. Kitts has a monument in commemoration of the 25,000 Irish men and women who were shipped there as slaves. In one particularly grueling story, over 150 Irish slaves were caught practicing Catholicism, and were shipped to tiny Crab Island, where they died of starvation.

The African slaves were not Catholic, so there treatment was slightly less inhumane than that of the Irish slaves. Reports from the time indicate that Irish slaves were cheaper than African slaves, and therefore owners had less of a financial stake in their survival. As Colonel William Brayne wrote requesting an increase in African slaves in 1656, “as the planters would have to pay much more for them, they would have an interest in preserving their lives, which was wanting in the case of (Irish)….”

The British governor’s wife in Jamaica, Lady Nugent, in the journal of her time in Jamaica, wrote about the African and Irish slaves: “We treated them with beef and punch, and never was there a happier set of people. All day they have been singing odd songs, only interrupted by peals of laughter; and indeed I must say they have every reason to be content, for they have many comforts and enjoyments. I only wish the poor Irish were half as well off.”

But let’s end on a lighter note, in Jamaica where Sir Alexander Bustamante became a national hero and one of Jamaica’s most beloved politicians. He used to brag he was 50% Irish, 50% Jamaican and 10% Arawak….that’s Irish math. And then there is the mysterious origins of the term “irie”….everyone knows what it means, but no one knows for certain where it originated. Could it be a recognition of that Irish spirit that gets knocked around but always bounces back? Keeping a positive vibe. Maybe….

And the awesome sounds of the legendary Bob Marley. The lilting music, the poetic verses, the soulful strength and celebration…there’s got to be a little bit of Irish there…