ABSTRACT
Assumptions that the Northern Ireland conflict affected only two ethno-political communities have pervaded much academic debate on the topic. A simple binary lens of ‘Irishness’ and ‘Britishness’ often obscures the experiences of other social groups even though the migrant population offers valuable insights into the legacy of the Troubles and the impact of the peace process. This chapter contextualises immigration both during and after the Northern Ireland conflict. The past two decades have witnessed enhanced scholarly interest on the impact of immigration in Northern Ireland, yet evidence illustrates that inward migration is not a new phenomenon. It is important to note though that there has also been an increase in European immigration from many other EU member states, such as Czechia, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Moreover, immigration from beyond Europe, particularly Africa, Asia, and South and Central America, also witnessed growth. Conflict and migration are social processes that are frequently intertwined.
