Cead Mile Failte

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by Gráinne

If it's in the U.K., I have it (plus a fraction of Bavarian German). My grandmother was Scottish, born on the Mull of Kintyre that McCartney sang of. Of the counties in Northern Ireland, the only one I haven't found any definite ancestry in is Fermanagh. However, for some ancestors, the birthplace on the census or other records is only "Ireland", which is too vague. I know it's North, but not where. At the other extreme is "Bleachgreen, Londonderry", which is a pretty definite location!

A large number of paper records were destroyed in fire during the Irish civil war in the early 1920s which can make tracing family heritage particularly challenging.


Interesting re lineage to Northern Irish counties excluding Fermanagh. The eyes of the world were on Fermanagh two weeks ago as it hosted the G8 summit - something that would have been unimaginable even a few years ago. We also had Obama visit Belfast on that trip and speak to a large audience of schoolchildren at our Waterfront Hall. For right or wrong, Northern Ireland has become something of a 21st century model for conflict resolution.


I often wonder what I would think of Ireland if I wasn't Irish and lived in the States as there are Irish stereotypes there, both good and bad, that don't mirror reality. I remember visiting San Francisco in March 2007 and walking the streets on St Patrick's Day. The amount of garish green outfits and leprechauns was enough to have me running to the nearest bar (not that I usually need much excuse anyway).

[Gráinne]

Originally Posted by Ciaran

I often wonder what I would think of Ireland if I wasn't Irish and lived in the States as there are Irish stereotypes there, both good and bad, that don't mirror reality. I remember visiting San Francisco in March 2007 and walking the streets on St Patrick's Day. The amount of garish green outfits and leprechauns was enough to have me running to the nearest bar (not that I usually need much excuse anyway).

I've wondered the same, if I wasn't American and lived somewhere outside the USA/Canada. I suspect many of the stereotypes and images of "America" wouldn't be very flattering. There are Americans who magically become Canadians when overseas.

Thank Walt Disney for the little men in green suits and hats speaking in what is supposed to be a soft brogue. That was my idea of all Irish accents-wrong again . Somehow they got glommed onto St.Patrick's Day and became a mascot for a popular children's cereal.

I'm not interested in Ireland as shown through Hollywood, cheesy greeting cards every March, or green beer. To the best of my ability, I want to understand this land and its people from whom I descend, both the tragedy and the good.

(Obama has Irish ancestry, from Moneygall).