Do the Irish see the USA as it's 'baby'?; something they helped create?

Question

IN UK, and Europe, anti USA feeling has evident amongst it's peoples since the end of WW2, but not so in Ireland? Does anti-US sentiment evident in Ireland? Afterall, many Irish emigrated to USA a built the nation?

Answer 1

I would hope so... (I'm irish):)

Answer 2

yes a lot of americans seem to be able to claim irish descendants

Answer 3

I still have distant cousins in Eire,and they adore me!

Answer 4

Hello,

       I am fairly sure some Irish people do as you remark, but for me, I was a baby in Ireland, and my Father said the English have been invading my country for 800 years, so we will go and invade them right back, I have lived in England since 1956, and still have not got the English to surrender, and what would I do with them if they ever did.

       So No, I do not look on the USA and see anything like a 'Baby of any of My making' sure I am happy enough at being exactly what I am, happy to have raised my 11 babies in England all of them are now known as second generation Irish, Janey! I will have this country beat yet, then retire to my home land way up in the Slieve Auchty Mountains, in my beloved County Galway.

                     Slainte'..................Tony M

Answer 5

There was definitely a huge love for the states from here in the past due to family connections, Irish-American presidents and such things as the American Ireland fund and the allocation of working visas for the Irish in the past (I can't remember the name of the man responsible for that!).

But an anti American sediment has crept in the last few years, for many reasons justified and not justified.

If anyone over here was asked for a list of things that annoy them about America you would get a pretty long list (entering the states - fingerprints etc., ridiculously high level of political correctness/censorship, Bush .. ). There a lot of things American that we see over here that seems hypocritical.

Answer 6

There are many individuals in ireland who have anti-us opinions, but overall compared to much of western mainland europe, it doesn't exist. it is true we have close links with the us through a shared history and these links will continue for a long time to come. even though we are closer to the germans, french, dutch, etc we still feel warmer to the states.

Answer 7

Well Ireland is largely an independent country and does not like to reflect the opinions of countries like the UK that may be part of it, but you are right huge amounts of Irish moved to the states, and i guess when i think of Irish friends i have do look at the US in a brotherly kind of way.  For the record the rest of Europe feel a bit miffed by the Attitude of current day Americans who claim they saved us in WW2, it kind of belittles the war we fought before America decided to help us, after all thousands of men died before America helped us out.  I can understand the argument of either side. sorry drifting off the point here.

Answer 8

none whatsoever my affinity is with Canada

Answer 9

There is a large opposition to US foreign policy in Ireland, we don't dislike the people so much except the usual noisy demanding tourist which is not a stereotype they do exist believe me. As an Irishman I would love to see the US as a baby then I could smack it in the **** for being such a bully

Answer 10

I'm Irish, I live in Dublin as did all my Grandparents. I have no relatives in the States, so I do not feel any connection whatsoever.

The US though, is so huge and diverse, if there was some affinity, it would only be in the likes of Boston or New York,

As for general European anti US sentiment, I think most Europeans cannot understand the extreme bible belt reasoning or the ridiculous way the politicians have to be cleaner than clean. The Irish PM is divorced, and nobody cares, we are more interested in his politics. The British didn't rise to the cannabis 'scandal' of David Cameron, even John Reid from the opposite party agreed it was silly

Answer 11

I don't see the US as Ireland's baby - if it is, I'd rather give it back, or send it to 'boot camp'. Lots of people went there in bad times, sure, but it's not like the benefits were just for the immigrants.

Irish people tend not to like bullies, which is where your 'anti-American feelings' might be coming from. We know what it is like to be invaded, like Iraq.