Why are people(ESPECIALLY AMERICANS) obsessed with Irish heritage?!?

Question

they go on about being 8th generation irish and are fascinated by the famine...why?!?

Answer 1

I like all racis, but I dont wanna be like the Irish.

like my person?

<(:-))->-<

Answer 2

they just love Ireland.with all there is to see,they love places like knock,i do too,and Killiarney.and blarney castle.the ring of kerry and so on.and also giants causeway,which is fantastic,

Answer 3

The irony is of course that a huge percentage of 'Irish' in America are actually descended from 'Scots-Irish' who originally came to Ireland as planters.

Answer 4

we Irish are great friendly people

Answer 5

Alot of Irish moved here and I guess they are just proud of their heritage.

Answer 6

Because the Americans have nono of their own history, which is why they love castles and things because it is part of a rich heritage, which they haven't got.

Answer 7

Who wouldn't be proud to have Irish roots? Our little country has a fascinating history.

From Wexford? :)

Answer 8

because Americans are shallow

Answer 9

its becus they have no history. thier history includes my grandmother being thier slave or something.

all they can do is be fascinated by others history, the thing that they can't take from anyone

Answer 10

Irish is an untainted heritage (at least in the way we learn it).  

If you have German heritage, there are two world wars to regret.  If your ancestors come from the south, well, I won't get into that.  Britain is who we kicked out.  Mexico was the former colonial power of Texas.  

Other countries don't have a great deal of American decendents.  Also, for those who really dislike the English (who we fought our first two wars against) the Irish heritage is a way to keep fighting when we haven't had a real excuse for a long time.

But mostly, it's just fun.  Leprechauns, pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, wearing green, poetry and theatre, and jokes about Murphy.

But the famine was no where near as long ago as things like 1066 and the old testament and 1492 and the reconquista and Chinese paper... I think the Irish are more in the present than other nostalgists.

Answer 11

There has been a lot of Irish immigrants into the US (many generations).  They're as popular in most of America as Cuban exiles are popular in Miami.  They've also made many contributions to the development of the US.  They were policemen, firemen and faught in our civil war.  In fact, they've even influenced the way we honor policeman and fireman who make the ultimate sacrifice (bagpipes anyone?).

Besides, who could resist a cute drunk Irish chick on St. Patrick's day? ;)

Answer 12

maybe they are scared they are going to lose their potatoes and turn to mash !!......( truly tho, I thought they were obsessed with us Ozzy's.....I wish)  !!.......haha

Answer 13

IRISH PRIDE!!! *Is Irish*  It's not a matter of being obsessed, It's a simple matter of our Pride!

Answer 14

I've found not just Americans but Australians too.  The reason, in my opinion, is that America and Australia only has a short history.  When people trace back there ancestry in Britain they can trace back many generations of English/Irish/Scottish/Welsh.  Americans and Australians invariably trace back to some kind of British heritage.

Abroad Irish, Scottish and Welsh have very strong ex-pat communities where their heritage and culture are probably celebrated more than they would if they stayed at home.  This isn't as apparent with the English.  I would think the Americans etc see this staunch patriotism and want to be a part of that if they've traced back their tree.

On a funny side I met a woman in Oz who went on about being 1/8 Scottish to me.  She was telling me how she had saved up cash and was coming to Scotland to try and find her ancestors.  When I asked her the family name she told me, O'Neill!!  I didn't have the heart to tell her it was Ireland she wanted and not Scotland :-)

Answer 15

I think if the light you shine on Irish Heritage is bright enough then its not so fascinating

Answer 16

they are full of bull thats why

Answer 17

During the famine, so many people immigrated to America, and they, including me (I am about half-Irish, including Black Irish) are proud of their heritage. The Irish suffered persecution on their Roman Catholic religion, and Yankees were angry with them for taking American jobs for lower wages. I, however, admire the Irish because they worked hard, and persevered. I am proud to be descended of such hard-working people.

Answer 18

Some of us are proud of our heritage - it is something to celebrate in the melting pot that is the USA. I've always been told by my relatives that I am very much like my great-grandmother in looks and temperament. She came from Ireland so I find that another reason to celebrate my heritage.

As an Irish-American I like studying the history of my ancestors. Just as we study American history in school to learn about how far our nation has come, I find it interesting to study how Ireland's history has unfolded.

I wouldn't call it obsession - I call it pride.

Answer 19

I think there may be a resurgence of fascination with having an Irish heritage because we here in the U.S. have for so long been told to assimilate into the great melting pot of being an American.  Now so many cultures here defy that and you find yourself surrounded by people enjoying their heritage, surrounding you with it, demanding you partake of it too!   I know myself, I want a culture of my own, a heritage, and something apart from what used to be "baseball, apple pie and chevrolet" that has become now "rampant consumerism as sport, hi calorie fast food, and an inability to walk anywhere!"

I'm half Irish and half English, that I know of.  My father's English family has a double-volume set of family history since arriving in the colonies in the early 17th century and a couple of curmudgeon Lords back in Britain who share our funny name.  My mother's Irish roots are largely unknown and hard to trace but the mystery is almost more tantalizing there.    

It's fun to romanticize one's history,  though I'm a pragmatist.  We're heading to Ireland in May and I, living in the SW US in a high desert, will be fascinated with the Emerald Isle for a myriad of reasons!

Answer 20

Heaven alone knows. The Irish always seem to be carrying a chip on their shoulders as big as the major oak!

Answer 21

Because almost all Americans, except for the ones who were here before, are from another place.  As much as we love our country, we're also curious about where we came from, and what that country is like.  

It isn't just Irish, it's almost every country that had a large contingent from Europe make its way over here sometime between 1604, and the early 1900's.  We're curious.  We want to learn about where our relatives came from.  We're a young country.  

Got a problem with that?  If only we could all be from your neck of the woods, where these questions would come easily, and most likely with some sort of backwater prejudice brought with them, spewing hate for centuries before the U.S. was ever a country.

Cheers!

Answer 22

cause the irish are cool.

Answer 23

We just like the accent and the excuse to drink.

Answer 24

oh paleeze!Sounds like you're obsessed

Answer 25

I'm interested in my Irish heritage because both my grandfathers were first generation Americans born in this country.  I'm interested in why they came here.  I know that my Quigley family were coal miners and came here for better pay and a better way of life.  My Hayes side were fishermen.  My grandfather Hayes was Irish through and through.  He loved to sing When Irish Eyes are calling and Cried and Drank all through "Oh Danny Boy".  The Irish people to me are a strong people.  They've been through so much and have managed to stay survivors.  You don't always know where you are going unless you know where you have been.  I've always wanted to go to Ireland and see were my Family originated from, and I would like to know more about my Irish heritage as well.  

Most Americans believe their families came here during the great famine and really have no clue or idea what it was about and what was going on in Ireland at this time.  

My family did not come to America until the turn of the century.  

People in America want to know where they are from.  Because we are all Americans but we like to know where are families came here from.

I do not know much about being Irish because I am an American First but I would love to know as much as I can.  Because you lose touch with that when you come to a new place and you are no longer surrounded by familiar things.  It's very sad.

Answer 26

I'd hardly call a one time a year celebration of St. Patrick's Day an obsession.

A side note: Unlike alot of countries, ours was built on imigrants. We are a melting pot of people from many, many cultures.

Answer 27

Speaking for myself it's the Bushmills and the Guinness...

Answer 28

My guess is because the Irish were treated poorly when they first arrived in the US. The first generation or two of Irish-Americans had to work hard jobs and were looked down upon. So now that they are accepted their is a lot of pride in their Irish heritage in the US.

Answer 29

Because if the Irish did not move during the Famine, most of the population of America would not exist! Or so I am told. lol

Answer 30

Some of my family came over from Ireland during the Famine and some came later (from Ireland). Maybe you all just don't fully realise how much influence that tiny little island nation has had on the world... The Irish fought in our Civil War (on both sides) and the Irish Brigade was one of the finest fighting forces during the War with Francis Meagher becoming one of the US State Governors (Montana I do believe). The Irish (along with other unwanted minorities) built our country with their blood, sweat and tears and because of them coming over here, I was born! :) Which is why I get upset when people here complain about foreigners...

   Then you have Canada and Australia each with a huge Irish influence....Ned Kelley anyone???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Briga...

Answer 31

i have english, irish & scottish blood.....my mother was generous.