Claims to being Irish?

CaoinDory · 18-03-2020 05:40AM #1

So Paddys day is over. And I was browsing Facebook when I came across a post where a person claimed to be Irish because their "parents were born in ireland". They however were born and bred in America.
Another post claimed to have done a DNA test which came back "69% irish" although they had never been to our emerald isle.
So my question is can they claim that they are Irish? In your opinion?

Samuri Suicide · 18-03-2020 05:50AM

Wow...what an amazing and insightful first post on Boards. What is it with certain posters asking inane questions and never having the slightest opinion on the issues themselves...apart from when they log into one of their others accounts....yawn.
Please OP do let us know your own opinion on this burning issue??

CaoinDory · 18-03-2020 05:52AM

Actually I was on boards before. But my account was hacked so I'm starting new. Thanks though. Ha.

SmartinMartin · 18-03-2020 05:55AM

Look, I know they're not. You know they're not. But if it makes them happy and brings a few more dollars to the tourism industry, away with them.

CaoinDory · 18-03-2020 05:55AM

And actually yea. I'd be of the opinion that if you've never even been to Ireland, you can't claim to be Irish.

My grandparents were English. I'd never claim to be from England.

CaoinDory · 18-03-2020 05:56AM

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Look, I know they're not. You know they're not. But if it makes them happy and brings a few more dollars to the tourism industry, away with them.

Ha ha yes I get ya.

Rufeo · 18-03-2020 06:32AM

My friend was showing me this app called Gradient lately. I put a photo into it and it says I was 37 percent Irish. ..and over 50 per cent Arab. Wtf.

Ipso · 18-03-2020 06:37AM

Rufeo wrote: »

My friend was showing me this app called Gradient lately. I put a photo into it and it says I was 37 percent Irish. ..and over 50 per cent Arab. Wtf.

Sounds legit.

El_Duderino 09 · 18-03-2020 09:08AM

There are different kinds of Irish and different degrees of Irishness.

I was born and bred in Ireland, to Irish parents as Irish ancestry as far back as I can gather. I try to learn the Irish stories and traditions and practice some of the traditions so I can teach them to my children, if I have any in the future.

Those are some of the things I consider important about being Irish. But I don't get to set the standard on what is or isn't Irish. So if someone else has Irish grandparents, has never been to Ireland and hasn't read much about Ireland but still considers themselves Irish, then who am I to judge?

18-03-2020 09:12AM

CaoinDory wrote: »

And actually yea. I'd be of the opinion that if you've never even been to Ireland, you can't claim to be Irish.

My grandparents were English. I'd never claim to be from England.

I don't know why actually visiting Ireland makes you more Irish then not visiting?
& you can claim to be English if you want, you may not want to but you can.

Also, nobody born here is automatically Irish. A person born in Montenegro to an Irish citizen is more Irish than a person born here.

18-03-2020 09:13AM

CaoinDory wrote: »

I came across a post where a person claimed to be Irish because their "parents were born in ireland". They however were born and bred in America.
/quote]

They are 100% an Irish citizen

twowheelsonly · 18-03-2020 09:16AM

Depends on the degrees of separation IMO.

In your first instance, absolutely yes they can claim to be Irish.

As an example, a friend of mine (more a friend of my daughters really...) is a fairly well known footballer that plies his trade at a decent level in the UK. Obviously that's where he lives now by virtue of his job. His girlfriend is also a 'neighbours child' and lives there with him for the last couple of years. They had their first child in the last few weeks. Are they entitled to consider that child Irish ? Damn sure they are in my opinion. Same for any Irish couple that happen to live abroad, usually by virtue of their work.

El_Duderino 09 · 18-03-2020 09:20AM

bubblypop wrote: »

They are 100% an Irish citizen

Is irishness just about citizenship?

18-03-2020 09:22AM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Is irishness just about citizenship?

Being Irish & irishness are two different things, for sure.

EmmetSpiceland · 18-03-2020 09:27AM

I can never understand the animosity towards people “claiming” to be Irish through their heritage.

It’s mainly Americans that do this as it’s how they “identify” over there. You see it on Wikipedia, or IMDB, when you look up someone famous. It will usually say that person is of x, y, and z ancestry.

I, honestly, think it’s great. The more the merrier and if you’re ever over in the States those claiming Irish heritage will usually “look out” for you.

No reason for anyone to get in a “tizzy” over, that’s for sure.

JustAThought · 18-03-2020 09:28AM

It’s why we have the long established phrase ‘plastic paddies’.

Electric Sheep · 18-03-2020 09:34AM

Grow up for God's sake.

marklazarcovic · 18-03-2020 09:39AM

So long as their not claiming the dole I'm fine with it

Salary Negotiator · 18-03-2020 09:42AM

Unless you have ginger hair, speak as gaeilge, were born in Ireland and live off a potato based diet you’re not Irish. You just wish you were.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 18-03-2020 09:47AM

Being Irish - just like any other nationality - is just a political label. I'll never understand why people place so much importance on it.

18-03-2020 09:50AM

CaoinDory wrote: »

So Paddys day is over. And I was browsing Facebook when I came across a post where a person claimed to be Irish because their "parents were born in ireland". They however were born and bred in America.
Another post claimed to have done a DNA test which came back "69% irish" although they had never been to our emerald isle.
So my question is can they claim that they are Irish? In your opinion?

They say they are Irish just in the American context, to distinguish themselves from German Americans, or Polish Americans etc.

It goes back to the 1800s when there was mass immigration to America and immigrants started to use their native land to distinguish themselves from other immigrants.

It was then that nationality became important to people, an employer did not care if you were from Mayo, or Cork or Offaly, but they might care if you were from Ireland, Germany or Latvia.

So it's not about Ireland the island or the country, it's about America and how they see themselves with regards to other Americans

whisky_galore · 18-03-2020 09:52AM

I met a Yank once, think his distant ancestor stole a goat and had to escape to the states or some sh1t, I didn't have the faintest interest in his ancestry... and then he came out with this nugget of wisdom; "you know that old saying 'Erin go Bragh'? It means 'Ireland is fine' ".

I don't mind people acknowledging or having interest in their heritage, but not ill informed Darby O Gill misty eyed rubbish that Americans in particular revel in.

Ger Roe · 18-03-2020 11:00AM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

There are different kinds of Irish and different degrees of Irishness.

I was born and bred in Ireland, to Irish parents as Irish ancestry as far back as I can gather. I try to learn the Irish stories and traditions and practice some of the traditions so I can teach them to my children, if I have any in the future.

Those are some of the things I consider important about being Irish. But I don't get to set the standard on what is or isn't Irish. So if someone else has Irish grandparents, has never been to Ireland and hasn't read much about Ireland but still considers themselves Irish, then who am I to judge?

Jack Charlton (honourary Irishman) and the FAI, would certainly agree with you.

beejee · 18-03-2020 11:08AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Being Irish - just like any other nationality - is just a political label. I'll never understand why people place so much importance on it.

Thousands of years of history is just a political label.

Sure I'm Egyptian today, and why not?! Tomorrow, who knows what I'll choose? It's all made up.

ILoveYourVibes · 18-03-2020 11:12AM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Is irishness just about citizenship?

Its about being a member of the tribe! Its not about bloodlines. It's not about a piece of paper. It's about the tribe.

Yes you can be Irish if you grew up in America and you are American etc.

You can be Irish if your parents were from Nigeria and you grew up here. Or if you moved here.

UNITE THE TRIBE! :pac:

And **** that other tribe over there like! **** THEM I SAY! We need to be strong or they will get us! :eek:

P.S I think that other tribe is probably coronavirus!

biko · 18-03-2020 11:16AM

What does it take to be Palestinian?
Is a passport enough or do you have to be born there?

ILoveYourVibes · 18-03-2020 11:24AM

biko wrote: »

What does it take to be Palestinian?
Is a passport enough or do you have to be born there?

They don't give passports. Don't ask why.

As of 1997, Palestinian passports were not issued in the name of the State of Palestine

Technically they issue travel documents. But it looks like a passport. They are not issued in the name of the state of Palestine though.

Also Hamas refuses to let people who oppose the Hamas govt get one.

Prior to 48 they had british passports.

Most palestinians use temp jordanian passports. Since its difficult to get in anywhere with a palestinian passport.

To answer your question. If you are a Palestinian ..you are one. It doesn't mean you live in palestine.

Oh and yeah the PA issues a diff 'passport/travel document' than hamas.

Both of them are largely ignored by Palestinians.

trashcan · 18-03-2020 11:39AM

Salary Negotiator wrote: »

Unless you have ginger hair, speak as gaeilge, were born in Ireland and live off a potato based diet you’re not Irish. You just wish you were.

Ah crap, 3 out of 4. So close....

biko · 18-03-2020 11:41AM

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

To answer your question. If you are a Palestinian ..you are one. It doesn't mean you live in palestine.

Ergo, if you are Irish, you are Irish.
Clear as mud

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 18-03-2020 11:44AM

beejee wrote: »

Thousands of years of history is just a political label.

Sure I'm Egyptian today, and why not?! Tomorrow, who knows what I'll choose? It's all made up.

Why do you have to be anything?

What anout the 20-30-40-50 years that happened after your brith? Does dthat not count for anything or have you just made it all up?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 18-03-2020 11:45AM

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Its about being a member of the tribe! Its not about bloodlines. It's not about a piece of paper. It's about the tribe.

Yes you can be Irish if you grew up in America and you are American etc.

You can be Irish if your parents were from Nigeria and you grew up here. Or if you moved here.

UNITE THE TRIBE! :pac:

And **** that other tribe over there like! **** THEM I SAY! We need to be strong or they will get us! :eek:

P.S I think that other tribe is probably coronavirus!

Belonging to a tribe takes connection and investment - you can't be a part of a tribe when you don't feel any connection with anything the tribe members are supposed to believe and when you have no feelings for or against the values the tribe is supposed to espouse.

Claims to being Irish?

Claims to irishness? 135 votes

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