Do full-blooded Irish take offense when Irish-Americans take a lot of pride in being Irish?

Question

I personally do take a lot of pride in it but know I'll never know the culture or history like true Irish do but does it bother you true Irish if Americans represent their pride a lot? By the way, I'll be headin' to Ireland next summer, any tips on where to visit? Dublin of course but what are some other places nearby I suppose and any other tips you can give me about it is cool too :)

Answer 1

I don't mind them usually but there are varying stages of pride and I'm always iffy with someone when they announce they are Irish because I never now just how proud they are

One stage of pride that is extreme is the American IRA lovers

I've talked to a few Americans on the net and seen some of the answers here and these guys are so proud of being Irish that they are completely anti-British and are very pro IRA

Which I do not agree with at all

The fighting has stopped and everybody I know is just relieved to have a truce and then these guys come along stirring stuff up again

But again this isn't all Irish Americans this is just those over prideful Irish American and the only ones that I would take offense to be calling themselves Irish

Oh and as everybody else said do not come to Ireland and announce that your great great granny came from Mayo and her name was Mary and then ask us if we know her ... people will begin avoiding you! Wait until your friends with someone before you start asking those questions!

Answer 2

When my brother and sister-in-law (Irish/Americans) went to Ireland a few years back, they were nervous about how the Irish would perceive them.  When they went to the county were my sister-in-law's family was from, the people accepted  them graciously and said "Welcome Home".  This nearly brought my brother to tears.  Then they all went to the pub and had a merry old time.

Answer 3

we love (er at least i) seeing proud irish, american or not

Answer 4

i luv bein irish through and through,but smetimes it can get a bit annoyin,esp. wen yer lik(sme of ye neway) 'oh mi gosh,i luv the irish! im irish 2 y'know,..my gr8,gr8,gr8,gr8,gr8 grandparents wer irish!!isnt dat so kool??' nd den we ar kinda lik,'yea,dats gr8!!heh,heh,.....' but i tink most americans ar gas!! but yer pronunciations ar terible!!!(smetimes...)

but yerra sure,yer grand out!!! :):)

Answer 5

No we dont take offense, but Irish americans are different, than full blooded irish, as there is an american influence, but we are proud of irish americans and their influence in america.However I dont understand how irish americans can vote republican, I think that most native irish would identify with the democrats and their policies.

Edit:

When I am talking about american influences I am talking about how we here in Ireland have different cultures and traditions depending on the region that you visit. these are for the most lost in irish america, I have also noticed that you dont have the same tolerance for swearing as we do here and most of europe as well.

I suppose what i really mean is the widening gulf betweeen europe and america, Most irish will identify themselves as Irish first but also european and are proud of both. America is becoming more and more isolated from the rest of the world( I am not trying to be negative I like the US) as are its citizens. its like ther is an national conscience that is shifting into a polar mentality where its own affairs are the only ones that matter.

Answer 6

I'm an American/Irish-American myself, and most don't seem to mind. Some  don't get the whole hyphenated American thing, but then the US is a huge country built on immigration, not a homogenous population like Ireland. Ireland is seeing a lot of immigration itself now, so they seem to be understanding it a bit more.

Just refer to yourself as American (your accent will do the talking for you) and you will be fine. Irish American isn't Irish outside of the US. Also read up on Irish history a bit, so you will know what you are seeing. Dublin has a lot of history. Dublin is great, but try to head out to the west of Ireland too, it is stunning.

Answer 7

ya we definately love it because were a small country and need to expand. the best tip i can give ya is to get yourself to a pub and get a pint of the black stuff, theyll show ya how its really poured

Answer 8

i have lived with irish americans and they are some of the best people around