Irish immigration to Puerto Rico

Irish immigration to Puerto Rico
Notable Puerto Ricans of Irish Ancestry
Cayetano Coll y Toste • Rafael O'Ferrall •
Location of the island of Puerto Rico (green)

Cayetano Coll y Toste • Rafael O'Ferrall •

Location of the island of Puerto Rico (green)

From the 16th to the 19th century, there was considerable Irish immigration to Puerto Rico, for a number of reasons.

During the 16th century many Irishmen, who were known as "Wild Geese," fled or escaped from the English Army that they were forced to serve in and joined the Spanish Army in Europe or when they could "jump-ship" off the coast of Puerto Rico when British ships came to trade or when they were engaged in attacks against the Spanish colonial forces on the Island, at which time they joined the Spanish colonial armies, mainly in San Juan.

Many of these men who served in the Spanish colonial Army in Puerto Rico remained in the service of Spain after their military service was completed and settled on the Island, most often sending for extended family members from Ireland or Spain.

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Wikipedia