Shoeboxes by Kevin Lee & Tom Jenkins. The story of the Assisted Emigration Programme from the Coollattin estate during the 19th century.

“Shoeboxes” by Kevin Lee and Tom Jenkins provides a detailed account of the programme of assisted famine emigration from south Wicklow and north Wexford. The scheme, funded by the 5th Earl Fitzwilliam, saw the transfer of some 6,000 men, women and children from their homeland to what is now Canada.
The work details the method of selection of the families as well as a description of the peril-laden journey to the New World. The book is set against the back story of the history of the Coollattin Estate. Featured in the book are the stories of 52 of the families that left. The townland from each family left is given as is the location of the place settled in Canada. Finally, the story is told of how these families found their way back to their roots.
The book can now be purchased at www.coollattincanadianconnection.com

Supported by the Creative Ireland programme and Wicklow County Council