How did we get from this...
"Though life in Ireland was cruel, emigrating to America was not a joyful event...it was referred to as the American Wake for these people knew they would never see Ireland again. America became their dream. They left in droves on ships that were so crowded, with conditions so terrible, that they were referred to as Coffin Ships. Even as the boat was docking, these immigrants to America learned that life in America was going to be a battle for survival. Hundreds of runners, usually large greedy men, swarmed aboard the ship grabbing immigrants and their bags trying to force them to their favorite tenement house and then exact an outrageous fee for their services. As the poor immigrant had no means of moving on, they settled in the port of arrival. Almshouses were filled with these Irish immigrants. They begged on every street. One honest immigrant wrote home at the height of the potato famine exodus, "My master is a great tyrant, he treats me as badly as if I was a common Irishman." The writer further added, "Our position in America is one of shame and poverty." No group was considered lower than an Irishman in America during the 1850s.
Our immigrant ancestors were not wanted in America. Ads for employment often were followed by "NO IRISH NEED APPLY." They were forced to live in cellars and shanties, partly because of poverty but also because they were considered bad for the neighborhood...Their brogue and dress provoked ridicule; their poverty and illiteracy provoked scorn." (Irish Immigrants in America during the 19th Century).
To this?
Our immigrant ancestors were not wanted in America. Ads for employment often were followed by "NO IRISH NEED APPLY." They were forced to live in cellars and shanties, partly because of poverty but also because they were considered bad for the neighborhood...Their brogue and dress provoked ridicule; their poverty and illiteracy provoked scorn." (Irish Immigrants in America during the 19th Century).
To this?
What was it that changed our former American view on the Irish? How did the Irish and the definition of their culture become synonymous with green beer and celebration? Why did we change our opinion of this ethnic group once considered to be the lowest of the lowest class?
I have a few ideas as to why the Irish are so revered; perhaps you have a few of your own ideas, but I would like to share what I believe to be what promoted this ethnic group of hard working folks into a respected and honored people.
I believe the Irish to be one of the most determined and stalwart citizens in our country to have fought for not only their independence, but also to have maintained their identity as an ethnic group. History books are littered with stories of brave men and women of Irish descent. Who can forget Katie Scarlet O'Hara, and how about our own President Kennedy? Who hasn't heard of the Molly McGuires or listened to tales of Kelly's Brigade?
It is my belief the "fighting Irish" of the American Civil War earned the reverence and respect we have of the Irish today. The Irish Brigades of both the North and the South fought with a vigor not seen since the American Civil War. These Irish Brigades fought for a country they felt loyal to despite the poor treatment they had received upon landing our shores. Remaining faithful to 'Ole Ireland, these men and women sang praises of their adopted American soil and fought for the causes they believed in to keep her lands in the state they were, or as one.
Irish tunes of valor were sung around campfires then and are still sung around our campfires today. The fiddles banter back and forth in their Celtic carols causing us all to break out in a clap of the hand or tapping of the foot. Now we are drawn to the Irish and their culture in respect where once we condemned and dismissed them. If ever there was a historical parody, it would be the state of the Irish in America then compared to now!
"As fer meself, Aye, I am but a wee bit Irish meself wit an Irish Granny who wos Protestant now, and a British Granddaddy who wos Catholic yes he was at thot. They took the coffin boat o'er to this America in da yare 1852 and planted thare potatos in Sharpsburg, MD." So if you are Irish be proud of your heritage; if you are not Irish, enjoy pretending to be every March 17th!
I have a few ideas as to why the Irish are so revered; perhaps you have a few of your own ideas, but I would like to share what I believe to be what promoted this ethnic group of hard working folks into a respected and honored people.
I believe the Irish to be one of the most determined and stalwart citizens in our country to have fought for not only their independence, but also to have maintained their identity as an ethnic group. History books are littered with stories of brave men and women of Irish descent. Who can forget Katie Scarlet O'Hara, and how about our own President Kennedy? Who hasn't heard of the Molly McGuires or listened to tales of Kelly's Brigade?
It is my belief the "fighting Irish" of the American Civil War earned the reverence and respect we have of the Irish today. The Irish Brigades of both the North and the South fought with a vigor not seen since the American Civil War. These Irish Brigades fought for a country they felt loyal to despite the poor treatment they had received upon landing our shores. Remaining faithful to 'Ole Ireland, these men and women sang praises of their adopted American soil and fought for the causes they believed in to keep her lands in the state they were, or as one.
Irish tunes of valor were sung around campfires then and are still sung around our campfires today. The fiddles banter back and forth in their Celtic carols causing us all to break out in a clap of the hand or tapping of the foot. Now we are drawn to the Irish and their culture in respect where once we condemned and dismissed them. If ever there was a historical parody, it would be the state of the Irish in America then compared to now!
"As fer meself, Aye, I am but a wee bit Irish meself wit an Irish Granny who wos Protestant now, and a British Granddaddy who wos Catholic yes he was at thot. They took the coffin boat o'er to this America in da yare 1852 and planted thare potatos in Sharpsburg, MD." So if you are Irish be proud of your heritage; if you are not Irish, enjoy pretending to be every March 17th!
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