I often wonder how much Americans know or care about the goings-on in Ireland.
Are we just a country out there somewhere or do we exist at all in popular American consciousness.
Meanwhile, here in Ireland, we are a bit obsessed with American politics, especially, and many people, including me, follow the political happenings over there on a daily basis.
The closer November 2020 comes, the more intrigued we are becoming. We are a very political people over here as well as a host of other things – not necessarily the stereotypes that tend to be bandied about.
This a lot, not all , Americans are very insular! When I have visited America I really missed world news ! Mind you a lot of Americans love to think they are of Irish origin.
I also get sick of the many misconceptions about the Irish too.💜💜💜💜
I guess there’s more people of Irish descent in America than have lived in Ireland for years and years.
Yes how strange really 💜
The Famine in the 1840s has a lot to answer for.
Yes indeed, the Irish were spread far and wide 💜
After visiting Ireland last year, I became obsessed with Irish life, culture and politics. I attempt to read contemporary sources like the Irish Times, to see how things are going in Ireland during the Pandemic, what is the latest impact of Brexit, and what new literature is of interest in Ireland. True there is enough going on in the US to keep me preoccupied – but I find it VERY tiresome and my interest in Ireland takes me elsewhere, even if just a few minutes each day. I am very impressed at the importance placed on writing and literature in Ireland – the Times articles and the coverage given to poets and writers is phenomenal. There is not a news source in the US equivalent to this.
So glad you enjoyed your visit here. Yes, we love our poetry and literature and it seems to be part of who we are.
From what I have heard about Ireland, I would love to visit someday. I love your music. As a side note, both my wife and I are “Irish Twins!”
Now, what is an ‘Irish twin?’ Should I know?
It is siblings who for some time time before the elder sibling has a birthday, they are the same age.
Gotcha!
Since I got your response, I decided to google “Irish Twins” to see how it came about. I looked it up: This phrase originated in the 19th century when many Irish people were immigrating to the U.S. Because the Catholic Church teaches avoidance of birth control, children less than one year apart were common within Irish Catholic immigrant families. Therefore, children with a spacing of less than 12 months became known as Irish twins (also known as “Catholic twins” or “Dutch twins”). The last thing I would want to do is to speak about any culture in a derogatory manner. I do love learning more about Ireland through your blog. Jean, take care.
No worries! I had looked it up too and it certainly ties in with an older Ireland when many families were very big.
Thanks for your reply! Have a great rest of the week.
I’ve been enamored lately with those Irish photos accompanied by the works of Irish poet John O’Donohue and I also follow two Irish photographers on FB.
Oh John O’Donohue is very special. His work seems to have more of an appeal in America than here for some reason. He certainly doesn’t get the attention I feel he deserves.
I love his works a lot.
I am not a political person ..Just know enough of what is going on with things that will affect me down the road..There is so much discourse and fake news now a days that it’s a turn off…It seems in both houses nothing ever gets done except recess because they can’t come together on issues at a half way point each side making compromises. I sometimes do get an Irish newspaper and read it cover to cover. Usually at Irish establishments they are in supply. Being Irish because of birthright I have always gravitated to this country and its culture and people. I love Irish literature and have various books showing the beautiful scenery and its people…
American politics seems very delicate these times. Hard to know what to believe.
We have plenty of mad stuff here too!
You have raised a difficult question to answer. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I would venture that most folks over here are not particularly interested in anything outside the borders, but I might be underestimating. There is quite obviously a large section of the population who are very xenophobic. There are certainly those of us who are interested in and concerned about what is happening in the rest of the world. My perspective is grounded in systems theory–everything is connected and has an input and output and thus what happens in other places matters because in direct or indirect ways, it has an effect. I read world news every morning, and Ireland is one of the countries I tend to keep up with more than some. I read a lot of both political and research news from European countries and Africa. I find the political history of Ireland very interesting and do love the way music and literature is used.
Undoubtedly we are all connected more than we sometimes realise.
I suppose the fact that Ireland is so tiny with 4m population makes us seem like a tiny dot.
Have they gone to war against you? No? Then, no, they know nothing of you…
However, the ones who actually do travel outside of their country? They know and have an interest in other things outside of their own belly-buttons…
That’s ‘cuttin’ ould talk,’ Dale, as my father used to say. No doubt there’s strong elements of truth in it. 😊
🙂
Historically of course the sizeable Irish diaspora in the US were very politically aware of Irish happenings and lent their shoulders to the wheel in trying to dislodge the British; less so now I think since the Good Friday agreement. But generally, I guess, Ireland figures low on the radar compared to the UK. Even many British and Irish people struggle a bit with the inter-relationship of our islands.
I thought the definition of Irish Twins was that both were born in the same calendar year, though I may be wrong.
Irish twins seem to be within a year.