Why do you think the Americans like the Irish (people, culture etc.) so much?

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Crazygirl

Well I have two friends from America. One a girl I used to work with. The other a guy that was my flatmate in college. Both of them were very intelligent and had a great sense of humour. And I was delighted to have them as my drinking buddies. Of course working as a waitress, I have come across some annoying Americans. But I found their perception of Ireland quite interesting. It was cute the way, they thought about Ireland. But maybe I have a strange sense of humour.

You see you seem to forget that Ireland has Castles, folklore, vast History and we are great storytellers. Yes America has history, but it only goes back so far. There are no Castles their ether.

I am not trying to anger any Americans, but they do not have much of a culture. The real Americans are Indians. The rest are people from different nationalities. With such a diverse group of people, the real culture of America is lost.

So I do not see the harm in them taking an interest in Irish Culture.
It is nice to hear them say I am half Irish and proud.
Some people are ashamed to be associated with a nation that they are linked to by blood. But many people are proud of their Irish roots. Shure leave them off.

Gokiburi

Caucasian Americans are quick to forget that many of forefathers came to the country to get away from all the ethnic and religious tribalism that made Europe a crappy place to live. Americans see their country as a bland collection of strip malls and taco bells with no deep cultural roots. Therefore they are secretly jealous of the ancient culture of their European cousins. Since there is a large concentration of people of Irish descent in NY and the northeast US in general, their culture contributed greatly to national identity that formed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Granted there are also great numbers of German, Italian, and Polish immigrants. (not to mention the Anglo-Saxon majority) However, the Irish have an affable, fun-loving image (unlike, say, Germans) and a common language with America, that made the two compatible. So a mutt (like most European Americans are) chooses to indentify himself as Irish more often than not.

I live where it's gray

The Italian-Americans, Polish-Americans, African-Americans, etc are the same way. People like to honor their origins.

Langer

Yes it can get a bit annoying but at least in the end they are taking an interest in our history and culture and besides america has no history or culture because they are a young nation.The only americans who have a history and culture are the native american indians.(The real americans)

Edit: The things that really annoy me is the way they think we say "Top o the morning to ya" also the fake leprechaun accent and the stereotypes.

â™¥ a o i f e â™¥

It's true.. I live in Ireland & both my parents are Irish and it can get a bit annoyin sometimes, like on american TV shows when they try to do irish accents but REALLY can't!

I went to America for my summer holidays last year & I went into a Hollister shop. One of the assistants came up to me, asking where I was from. When I said Ireland, she immediately said, 'I'm Irish! Where are you from in Ireland?' so I said I was from Belfast. She'd never heard of it!

But I think it's because Irish culture is amazing and it is a beautiful country.

I know that technically, I live in Northern Ireland, but I do live in the country and think of myself as Irish!

Outeven - wtf?! i don't know what you're talking about. don't answer questions if you're not going to be helpful.
Barry - do you mean pierce brosnan? :)

cupcake13

With the time that i've lived in your country, as an American, I never met anybody with that sort of attitude about how we feel about Ireland. You've come across some stereotypes about Americans it seems..

America is a baby compared to the rest of the world, and our culture is a bit of everybody elses. You are right, some Americans are ignorant about things pertaining to Ireland, but it always goes both ways. I went to study and live in Ireland because it is part of my lineage I know nothing about. We take pride in where our ancestors came from because whether you like it or hate it, it has shaped what we call our culture. I love the cultures that have shaped my family and I, but I never forget that I am American!

IRISH AND PROUD

i think americans talk about us the irish because they have ancestors from ireland! people every where like to claim other countries if there ancestors are from there! so many irish emigrated to america which means that loads of americans are partly irish and are proud of that just like people who are partly french would be proud of that etc.! i haven't met many americans but the ones i have met were nice!

Gone Riding HPTS

It sounds a bit stereotypical to me. I mean, yes, are there plenty of Americans that parade around pretending their Irish for some form of unwarranted attention. And of course there are the idiots who see Ireland in movies and on postcards and suddenly they proclaim that they are Irish and they are going to Ireland. And yes, many here in America fail to acknowledge that life in Ireland isn't straight out of P.S. I Love You and that going to Ireland doesn't mean you'll fall in love with an Irish guy and find a pot of gold. I guess ignorance is bliss.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are the Americans who are are actually Irish, such as myself, who don't just proclaim themselves Irish because they worse green on Saint Patrick's day. My entire family is almost entirely Irish, as are many families here. When I'm older, I do want to move to Ireland but not because it looks 'gorgeous' in a postcard or in movie, but I want go there to improve the environmental policies and have exposure to the Irish horse business (I've been working with and loving horses my entire life). I'm not expecting to live in a mansion or to have a flourishing economy, Ireland has pros and cons.
But overall, I get where you are coming from. I just don't see why everybody bashes the Americans, sure some people here are idiots but theres no need for stereotyping.

AobhrÃl

Americans are just weird altogether, I'm pleased they value they're their heritage but they're so feckin ignorant of the place!
No I am far from loving America, it is my least favourite country in the world.

Like a Fox

It's down America having no culture of it's own, so they leech onto whatever heritage they have.
I can understand if their parents are irish for example but some seem to think if their great grandad was irish it makes them irish too. My father is scottish and my mother irish, but i was born and raised in Ireland so i would never consider myself scottish.

Edit: No one says top of the mornin here, neither do i know anyone who listens to celtic thunder.

Tid

Hi Aishling,
Agreed, It annoys me when they claim they've 'irish blood', and the chances are its their mothers' mothers fathers grandfather....blah blah blah. If you can get citizenship, we'll accept ya, other than that, you ain't Irish. Although it would be slightly flattering that so many want to be us. Either that, or we've populated half of America also. Maybe its our historial background, castle's and all that jazz that they would like to be part of.

stargirl

I was born & raised in America, but living here, when someone asks me "Oh what are you?", I don't say "American"... hello??
When people here ask you "What are you?" or "Where are you from?" or, more importantly, "What race are you?", nobody here answers "American". That just makes no sense...
Maybe if I went to another country & someone asked where I was from, then yeah, I'd say America. But growing up here, where people come from so many different backgrounds, you're "allowed" to say "I'm part Irish" even if you were born & raised in America, do you know what I mean?
If I were to go up to an Asian living here & they told me they were straigh up American, that wouldn't be true. If they said Japanese or something, it'd make more sense.
I can understand if people are a little naiive about other countries, but hey, if we live in America, we're going to learn about America in school (for the most part). I don't get why Europeans love to bite our heads off about how "ignorant" we ALL are (it's ignorant to think all Americans are ignorant, btw).
I know we're an easy target, but ease up guys. We like you.

marisa

I'm 15 and Canadian, I would live to visit Ireland one day. and if I like it I would think of living there.

the reason is that the climate is perfect for me. I would love to live somewhere away from north America, experience a different culture, and be able to go to any town without it being as big as new York or so mainly focused on celebrities. it seems like it is very peaceful in my mind - rather than always being in a constant busy place. I think that the history would be amazing to learn about. the style of the homes and places seem so - I can't think of the word- I want to say relaxed I think? the art of it all seems magnificent and the homes I looked at don't seem as modern and technologically advanced it's just a simple cottage or somewhat like that.

maxiumus

a lot of americans have Irish ancestry St Patricks day is celebrated in America Barack Obama is of Irish descent

Guaranteed Irish!!!

I find it very annoying to be honest with you.Just cause you got Irish blood in you somewhere in your heritage does not make you Irish!!Please!! look at the Rose of Tralee!! Come on......Have you watched it how embarrassing!!! they love the Irish claim they Irish but they have no clue bout the Irish or Ireland.They have fairytale view of it to be honest.Just cause,grand ma or great great grandpa comes from the old country don't make you Irish!!!As a born and breed Irish girl find it very insulting.

we don't say top of the morning
we have no leprechauns
No pots of gold here

BARRY
Sean Connery Irish since when?? he Scottish!!
Maybe Americans should work at it a little harder. At what being Irish??we would rather you did not!!

develboy678

cause they wish they were irish

Scaldy

This is such a ridiculous question. Many americans claim to be irish because around 40 million of them are of irish ancestry!

barry c

I don't think it's necessary to "clap your eyes on" a place to feel some sympatico with it. There's bunches of reasons why Americans-and I agree that they do-have this feeling.

There are more Americans with some, or a lot, of Irish blood in them than any other single ethnic background. I don't have any proof of this right off, but I defy anyone to disprove it.

The Irish have a lovable accent. Much more lovable than the various British accents which come across as being prissy, stilted, coarse, or whatever. Of course, I can't explain why the standard American finds the Irish brogue compelling; they just do.

Americans love nothing more than the underdog that makes good. The history of the Irish; their long suppression by the British; their successful breaking of the yoke, at least in the better (larger) part of Ireland, is an almost unequalled heroic saga to the American. And given the number of Americans with some Irish roots, one that resonates endlessly with them.

All the verdant imagery that Americans are treated to, of the Irish landscape.

I'm sorry to hear that the Irish as a whole do not return this sentiment, but then, nobody ever said that love had to be requited. Maybe Americans should work at it a little harder.

On the other hand, I sense from your question that you yoursel' are no great lover of the Irish, or Ireland. The grass is always greener someplace else, isn' it?

edit: sean connery? pierce brosnan? whacha talkin' about.

I may be learning more from this question than about a certain actors birthplace.

How do I put this? Familiarity may, in fact, breed contempt. The most treasured myth may turn into just another dreary tale, examined close-up. Not all that glitters is gold...

The Y!A Irish contingent may succeed in getting some Irish-Americans to blank out their ancestry yet. Keep jabbering.

Carly

I'm Irish and I'm like desperate to go to Ireland someday and take my grandmother. I've obviously never been there but in pictures and movies it looks absolutely beautiful. Its a heritage thing for me, I just want to see where it all began. Plus i've met some irish guys (like with accents and everything) i mean...wow. they're so hot lol.

gagam

Ireland to many is a wonderland. It is in so many books and movies Americans dream of a place to go with everything they want or need. I truly am half Irish, my mother and her parents were full Irish. It is my lifelong dream to go to Ireland to see and do all that I can. Have you seen Celtic Woman or Celtic Thunder? Those two groups are reason enough to love Ireland!
Top o' the mornin' to ya!

outeven

Maybe it's when you throw bombs and kill babys in protest of England.

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