Montserrat is a Caribbean island—specifically in the Leeward Islands, which is part of the chain known as the Lesser Antilles.

In November 1493, Christopher Columbus passed Montserrat in his second voyage, after being told that the island was unoccupied due to raids by the Caribs.

Montserrat comes under English control in 1632 when anti-Catholic violence in Nevis forced a group of Irish people, transported from Ireland as indentured servants, to settle in Montserra.t