The Irish were marginalized throughout British history, as were the scots for some time. They were sold as indentured servants for debts or offenses. One of the first “slave“ rebellions in the US was actually Irish indentured servants and slaves together. The effects of indentured servitude were no different than slavery except they had a hope to eventually achieve freedom. Australia has a large proportion of Irish descended people as well for the same reasons. It was started as a penal colony after all.