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Why is it considered cool to be Irish in American popular culture?
For some reason the Irish seem to be held is higher regard than most other ethnic groups? I notice a lot of Americans claiming to be Irish. I'm supposed to have Irish ancestry, but so far my ancestry search has turned up England, Scotland and Wales, but not Ireland. I don't know why, but I feel disappointed. However, I think I have Scots-Irish ancestry, but these were Scottish people who migrated to Ireland.
A friend of mine claims to be Irish, but I think her maiden name is either Danish or German. That doesn't prove she has no Irish ancestry, of course, but I have my doubts.
Are Irish people cooler because they have a reputation for being tough and rebellious?
I think the largest wave of Irish immigration to the US was during the Irish Potato Famine of 1845 to 1852. Irish immigrants were subject to quite a bit of discrimination at first. After a few generations, the Irish had assimilated into American culture for the most part.
My paternal grandfather fit the Irish stereotype to a "T." He had red hair, never backed down from a fight and loved to drink. But I still don't know for sure if he was really Irish or not.
The only other ethnic group that has a similar mystique is the Native Americans. A very large number of people I know claim to have Native American ancestry; I have a feeling it's often not true at all. My family supposedly has Cherokee background but I really doubt it---most of the people in my family are very pale and subject to sun burns. I do have a Native American cousin, but she was adopted.
Wianter: I think you got it right. The Irish are thought of as tough survivors who feared nothing.
6 Answers
- Anonymous8 years agoFavorite Answer
It's only because in pop culture, Irish people have a well-known holiday (tomorrow), and migrated to the United States collectively in 1847 for the potato famine. The nationality is notable for the hardships and discrimination endured upon immigration, drinking, and potatoes, but being Irish is symbolic of being tough if you look at how they survived the hardships of working during the Industrial Revolution after a famine.
- Anonymous8 years ago
The same thing can be said here in Australia. People love to claim their Irish ancestry. I'm not really aware of the history of Irish settlement in America but here they were always very proud, fair-minded and rebellious, and they "loiked" a drink or two and a dance.
- 8 years ago
This is because one of the largest ethnic group in the U.S. is that of the Irish people. Thus the Irish who were hated by their British cousins for many,many years.
- 8 years ago
I'm mostly Irish, I'm a couple other European things though too. I don't think it's that amazing and not much cooler than being say English or Scottish. But I'm damn proud of my heritage and lucky to be Irish!
