Do Irish people in Ireland feel any kinship to Irish Americans?

Question

as the Irish in America feels towards you? or do you think we are daff?

Answer 1

Yes. The relationship is the epitome of kinship

Answer 2

I BELEIVE THERE IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A SPECIAL BOND. THE DIFFERENCE IS TODAYS LOT COMING OVER HERE ARE FAR MORE WORDLY, THEY ARE BETTER EDUCATED,AND NOT IN SUCH AWE OF AMERICA AS WAS  THERE  GRAND  OR GREAT GRAND PARENTS,

DIFFERENT GENERATION,I MISS THE OLD DAYS,BUT THATS BECAUSE I AM OLD

Answer 3

Some Irish seem to feel something of a kinship, especially older generations that felt emigrations effects first hand. My relatives do :)

The Irish Americans have actually been very good friends to have for Ireland. The funds raised to fight for Irelands Independence and to support the new Republic came from the Irish in the US, and the Celtic Tiger was spurred by US companies settling in Ireland because of a shared history (many Americans running US multinationals have Irish family roots). Ireland has always benefited from Americans favoritism  - how much money does Irish tourism bring in after all? NY (the most Irish city in the US) just invested millions into N. Ireland to spur economic growth. Ireland has benefited quite a bit from it's history of immigration to the US. These days some of those who have grown up in the heady years of the new rich Ireland are very dismissive of the US and Irish Americans.

Edit - please, enough with the borrowed "cultural identity" thing. Americans have a culture of our own, thank you very much. Listen to any blues, soul or jazz lately? That would be American culture :) Van Morrison sings soul music. Yet I don't say that he is lacking in identity because he likes soul and borrows American music/culture, now do I?

Most of the great Irish writers we all celebrate ...Joyce, Beckett, Stoker, Wilde....left Ireland for one reason or another - are you all going to disavow them as well? Didn't think so. People move about, always have.

Americans are immigrants - every immigrant culture knows its origins. End of story.

Answer 4

Not really.The ones that keep up to date with Irish culture and who actually learn about the country maybe but I have encountered some who are just completely ignorant.

I had one person ask if I had electricity in Ireland. Thing is they e-mailed me that question. A lot of them don't realise Ireland has moved on. With those I feel nothing.

Answer 5

I like getting best answer in this section (lol).....but im certainly not getting it for this!!  

;(

but here goes!

No.

We don't feel "kinship" towards you....

I think a lot of Americans try to forge a connection with Ireland because it gives them a sense of cultural identity.

Also, i think they see Ireland as some sort of "idealistic land of their forefathers" or something

In general, we just find these Americans irritating....any irish person who says otherwise is just lying and fishing for points!

There is nothing more annoying than an American of Irish decent claiming to be "Irish"

I think almost every Irish person would agree with me on that

Sorry if I gave you an answer you don't like, but its honest at the very least

Keep in mind that I have nothing personally against Americans -  just trying to give you a truthful answer

;)

x*x

Answer 6

No.

= )

Answer 7

I meet Americans regularly over here. They are mostly looking for their roots. Glad to be of help when I can.

Answer 8

I had mixed encounters in Ireland.  I have to say that most of the natives were very friendly and helpful.  It is so beautiful there everywhere you look is like a postcard picture.  You would have to try really hard to be uptight with all of that scenery.  

I ran into some rude and grumpy people in the more collegate and younger urban areas.  They were mostly college rebel types who probably think the US is an evil empire.  I think the natives were somewhat annoyed with all of our partying all night at the hotels and bars.  Some of the bars close at something like 11PM; and this was in Dublin!  One bar tender even told us to get the h**l out and we kept ordering pints (he was not amused).  We eventually wandered to a club down the street that didn't have library hours.

All in all I do not have any relatives that I know in Ireland.  No one took me in or gave me a hug or anything like that.  I wouldn't expect them to either.

Answer 9

Of course we do......Irish americans are as Irish as the rest of us and you can hear their genuine interest in all things Irish when you speak to them.

Answer 10

Not at all - the walked after all......

Answer 11

Only to the ones I'm related to & see on a regular basis.  

Just because you leave something voluntarily doesn't mean you miss it any less.  

I think Irish Americans have an infinitely more complex relationship with their Irish heritage & their status in America then the Irish have with our 'distant relatives'