Irish-Americans

I've never given it much thought before but on another board I visit, a huge argument broke out because a Scottish person took exception to Americans calling themselves 'Irish' and 'Scottish' without ever having visited the places - fair enough IMO. A load of Americans got really offended - "how dare you say I'm not Irish, I'm 100% Irish" etc, and when we suggested they were actually Irish-American, oh no, they insisted they were Irish. Even though previous posts had shown most of them had no idea who the president of Ireland was, or about anything to do with Ireland. They started insulting those who tried to say it was plain wrong to say "I'm Irish" unless you actually are and tried to say their argument was worthless. It really irritated me for some reason. I think it shows a lack of respect for the people in Ireland not to at least UNDERSTAND why they may be offended at Americans calling themselves Irish. What's wrong with saying you're Irish-American if you are?

Lust4Life

You really think this is a new idea for an AH thread?

Done. To. Death.













BTW, hi, I'm Lust4Life and I'm American with Irish descent.:D

Rb

Not this again...the search we have at the moment may be shíte in comparison to the old one but it'll at least pull up one thread on this.

The thread I found wasn't really this though unless there were others I missed.

Mossy Monk

i like toads

thehomeofDob

I'm Irish?

Rb

Mossy Monk wrote:

i like toads

The ones you lick and get high off of?

metaoblivia

I'm an American with an Irish surname that other Americans are incapable of pronouncing.


And I like toads too.

Badly Drunk Boy

metaoblivia wrote:

I'm an American with an Irish surname that other Americans are incapable of pronouncing.


And I like toads too.

Americans can't pronounce Meta O'Blivia?

metaoblivia

no! shocking isn't it... :eek:

biko

In America you can see 2 bumper stickers next to each other
"100% Irish" and "Proud to be American"
I guess they are just proud of whence they came*.


Yay, finally I got to use "whence" on boards

Rb

biko wrote:

I guess they are just proud of whence they came*.

Not as proud as I am to dedicate my three thousand, eight hundred and fifty sixth post to this thread.

Those Americans..

... Shucks.

Mossy Monk

if those from the United States that have Irish connections, but have never visited Ireland can call themselves Irish

does that mean i can call myself American?

happy days

BlitzKrieg

does that mean i can call myself American?

why would you want to?

Mossy Monk

it was a question, not a wish

BlitzKrieg

i see.

ok no problem.

Our man in Havana

Mossy Monk wrote:

if those from the United States that have Irish connections, but have never visited Ireland can call themselves Irish

does that mean i can call myself American?

happy days

Have these alleged Irish bothered to apply for Irish passports? Of course not they don't even qualify. Irish me arse!

Plug

Paris Hilton wrote:

I'm irish and you are all so hot

Irish aswel as a slapper? Paris you rock my world:rolleyes:

Tall Tom

Rene Brief Bubble wrote:

I've never given it much thought before but on another board I visit, a huge argument broke out because a Scottish person took exception to Americans calling themselves 'Irish' and 'Scottish' without ever having visited the places - fair enough IMO.

Sounds like OT, and if so, the Americans calling themselves 'Irish' and 'Scottish' on the board are blithering idiots unless they can provide citizenship. I think 'Irish American' and 'Scottish American' is acceptable here in the States for the US is one big melting pot of nationalities. The only natural nationality in our country is the Native Indian.

free2fly

I would never be so presumptuous as to call myself "Irish" as I was born in the US. I do however consider myself to be Irish-American. I am proud of my Irish heritage. In fact, I am moving to Dubin in June 2007. I visit Ireland regularly, and am quite familiar with the history, culture and customs. And I feel honored that my friends in Ireland consider me to be "Irish" though I would never call myself that. Everytime I come over for a visit they always say "It's so nice to have you home."

Eoin

Bond-007 wrote:

Have these alleged Irish bothered to apply for Irish passports? Of course not they don't even qualify. Irish me arse!

The Irish consulates in the States get thousands of applications a year for Irish passports, and this is from a country where only about 1/4 of it's citizens even have an American passport.

I'd say the amount of applications are increasing every year, as it's probably safer for an American to have an Irish rather than an American passport.

Rene Brief Bubble wrote:

I think it shows a lack of respect for the people in Ireland not to at least UNDERSTAND why they may be offended at Americans calling themselves Irish.

As someone who was born outside of Ireland (to Irish parents), but now resident here since I was 11, I consider myself Irish. I could apply for dual citizenship, but see no need as I have 0% tie to the UK, where I was born.

I honestly can't see how this shows a "lack of respect" for Irish people born here. If anything, it is a compliment to Irish people that 2nd+ Gen Irish people wish to identify themselves as Irish.

I meant a lack of respect for their opinion. I'm not really that bothered but I can see why some Irish people are bothered by it. Instead of trying to understand WHY people might take offense, all the people on the board tried to make the poster look like an idiot for saying Irish-Americans weren't actually Irish, as if it was a ludicrous statement. I'm sure they understood the concept of ethnicity but that is why we say Irish-American, to differentiate (sp) them from people who actually live in Ireland.

JaysusMacfeck

Paris Hilton is Irish, apparently. She said so during her visit.

Kojak

JaysusMacfeck wrote:

Paris Hilton is Irish, apparently. She said so during her visit.

Well if she said it its got to be true. Also apparently because her "nanny" was irish, she is now irish herself.

Plug

....her reason for the sale of her new make-up, purfume crap:rolleyes: "Ireland are the first people in europe who will get this stuff" I wonder is she on boards.ie?:D

Feral Mutant

Tall Tom wrote:

The only natural nationality in our country is the Native Indian.

What the hell are people native to India doing in the US claiming to be the natural nationality.

Plug

Feral Mutant wrote:

What the hell are people native to India doing in the US claiming to be the natural nationality.

...as in them cowboys and indian dudes;)

Feral Mutant

Plug wrote:

...as in them cowboys and indian dudes;)

I know, it was a joke.

FranchisePlayer

What I consider offensive is when people like me who were born to irish parents in england.Then brought over to Ireland when they were young but stiil being considered english because you have a english accent even though you no ties to england at all.

Eoin

FranchisePlayer wrote:

What I consider offensive is when people like me who were born to irish parents in england.Then brought over to Ireland when they were young but stiil being considered english because you have a english accent even though you no ties to england at all.

Tell me about it

Rb

Plug wrote:

"Ireland are the first people in europe who will get this stuff"

Oh we're so lucky.

Black Swan

Repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat

Ever been to Chicago on St Pat's? They claim to have more Irish-Americans (or whatever you want to call them) there than the total pop of Ireland. They drink too much, have a huge parade down the Miracle Mile, and dye the large river that runs through the city green. If there on that night, be sure to pub crawl Rush Street. Thousands flow out into the street, dance, and party. Fun!