Lively Places
Ebb and flow
Lots of people pass through a port, seeking rest, food and
drink, and recreation. Sailors are the most obvious example,
but there are also passengers waiting for their ships. Some
groups of workers in ports tend to be quite mobile. They
arrive in years when there is plenty of work, and leave when
opportunities elsewhere are better. All these people bring
their own cultures, attitudes, and tastes. Even when they
move on, they leave strong traces behind. For instance, the Irish who came to Liverpool to work in the
docks and those who were emigrating to America but stayed, at the
time of the 1845 potato famine have stamped their character on the
city; music being one strong area of influence. There still
exists a strong connection with Ireland today.
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