How do Irish people feel about...?

Question

im american and my dad was born in ireland. i was born in america, so i call myself american, but what do u think of the people who call themselves irish but dont have a direct link with the country at all. like we follow irish sport, get the newspapers, are involved in a lot of things happening within the city, but there are people who like think being irish is about wearing green and having those funny old men hats on. i was just wondering what you think about it? like does it even bother you, do you think their sickners, do u laugh at them with their white sneakers when they venture over in the big tour busses? i just wanna knoww!!!

Answer 1

I am Irish, but I live in America. In Ireland, no, most people do not go around wearing green and "those funny old men hats." We are just regular people, and wear the same clothes you Americans wear here! Yes, occasionally some dancers might dress up in traditional folk attire, but rarely. ♫♪

Answer 2

Aaah the age old, "plastic Paddy" conundrum, this has raged on for years and it's annual peak will be in 2 weeks (st. Patrick's day) when everybody wants to be Irish...It really doesn't matter where you are from or what your heritage is, your father is Irish which makes you half Irish and you have a lot of Irish culture in your life and no doubt your father has instilled in you the qualities which make us Irish so well thought of and respected around the world.I know what you mean about the bus loads of Americans who come to Ireland every year looking to find their roots that are probably 10 generations too late! the usual story ( my granny had a dog called guinness which makes me Irish, blah blah blah) but you genuinely are linked to this country so you must already know what it is like to be Irish. but at the end of the day you say you are American so you deserve a pat on the back to be honest because there is nothing worse than someone desperately trying to find ancestry in a country they know very little about. I guess what I mean is be proud of where you are from and don't be ashamed to say it! anyway, Happy St. Patrick's Day!! hope you and your family have a great time!

Answer 3

I'm born in Ireland and have the greatest respect for people such as your dad and his ancestors. Before we think about laughing at them, we should remember that they did ireland a huge favour by (a) making a very difficult decision to leave for a better life, thus freeing the meagre resources in Ireland for those who could not escape (b) they usually sent regular money back to their surviving families in ireland, helping the local economy as well as their families (c) they make regular pilgrimages back to Ireland; the North American market is still the mainstay of the Irish tourist economy and tourism is one of our major industries.

Because they were forced from their native country (and not the fault of the irish), your dad's generation feels a great affinity with Ireland. This explains why they are so proud of their identity and like to show it - I can understand that.

I don't think we have any right to mock them - in fact I would argue that their contribution through Ireland's darkest years kept the country going when it might have gone bankrupt.

I take my funny green hat off in honour of your da! You might like to read some more facts about your dad's generation on my Dublin website below.

Answer 4

I know what you're saying; however, the Irish nation is not that chunk of land in the North Atlantic, it's the millions of Irish people all over the world. What qualifies a person as truly Irish, I don't know, but I believe it manifests it's self in a deep love for all things Irish! There's a national character here as well; it's undefinable, but I know when I encounter it.

Answer 5

Some Irish would refer to those types of people you have described as being  plastic Paddies.

Answer 6

its because they are irish. if one of your parents was born in ireland then you are automically an irish citizen whether you like it or not. it is called diapora, the people are still irish even though born outside of ireland. your nationality and identity in my opinion should depend on your heritage and your blood. for example if a cow is born in a stable does it make it a horse. no its a complete different race.

Answer 7

i feel Irish and have no direct connection except family history grand parents grand parents grand parents or some thing like that . but i have respect and honor for my heritage . and ,yes i am American . and my other grand parents came from Hungary .

     your right though there are some idiots that are out there .

Answer 8

Do we laugh at them with their white sneakers when they venture over in the big tour buses?

Of course we do. But that's just cos of how silly they look.

Being Irish isn't about wearing green, or drinking green beer, or wearing silly hats, or getting drunk.

Being Irish is about being part of, and indeed being proud of, a deep and ancient heritage and culture.

Yes, americans have a tenadncy to cast superficial aspersions on the irish culture, drinking green beer etc...

But for a tiny little island, on the edge of europe, we have contributed SO SO much to the world, scientifically, academically, militarily, and most importantly, culturally.

There are irish people all over the world that are proud to have irish links, and i would encourage them to embrace those links. Because knowing where you are coming from is important to know before where you are going.

Answer 9

We need to gather up all the Irish, real and wannabe. Everyone with a hint of Irish blood. Anyone who feels any connection to Ireland. Think of the many, many millions, even billions that would be. My God, we could take over the world!!!!!