OPINION U.S. in 1870). / No. While Ireland is my new, permanent home I lived in the States for decades so I feel it better represents who I am. Once I’ve been in Ireland for about as long as I was in the States I’d say my feelings may change and I might consider myself to be more Irish, but I haven’t been in Ireland long enough yet. / Prior to moving of course I did because I had an Irish last name. After moving I realized I was the furthest thing from it. I’d like to say now that I might sounds Irish but still wouldn’t consider myself as one as my Irish friends would just laugh at the thought. / No, I didn’t grow up in Ireland and my parents and grandparents were American born as well, so culturally I can’t be Irish. My great grandparents on both sides were Irish but I don’t think that is enough for me to say I’m Irish. / I consider myself American. / Not at all. No family, no roots, no connections, no friends, nada. I instead identify as an Asian-American. / No. I will always be American with full on Texas pride. / Yes because of my heritage. But, I’m also a citizen which I did through my grandmother. / No, I think of myself as more European or global these days, though I live in Ireland and am still an American citizen. / No. I live in Ireland. I have assimilated here but I’m still American living happily here. / Yes - I have a duel citizenship. / Yes, I did in the States as well. Even before moving here, I always felt Irish. / No, because born and lived in America 'till moving here at the age of 31 in 2001; even though I have both an Irish passport and Irish citizenship. / No, I’ll always be American. / I do, after living here 38 years. / Kind of. I have been here nearly as long as I lived in the U.S. (25 years U.S.- 22 in Ireland). I have both an American and an Irish passport. Likewise, I have both and done Americanisms. / Yes, I’ve been living here for almost half my life at this point. The States has changed so much, there are times when I really can’t identify with my
friends Stateside. / Not by blood - not much, anyway. But I do in soul, where it really counts. / Yes, I’m half Irish, and it’s a huge part of my identity. / No, the people here make it clear to me every day that I will never be a local here or truly be a part of them. / Always there is an assumption that I’m a tourist when it comes to meeting strangers outside of work. / Yes, on occasion. / Yes.
do you ever experience negative attitudes or assumptions about you by native Irish people? / Yes, and people always make comments about how I am an American and make little digs at America. / No, I don’t know about assumptions but I usually steer clear of negative attitudes. If I have to communicate with people like that, I just remain my happy self. / No, I haven’t experienced that. / Yes, not particularly about me but about “Americans.” / Sure. But fair ones. / Yes, definitely. In their subtle Irish way that isn’t openly negative - they would never do that so openly! But they do it in small, subtle ways and slagging. Loads of slagging. Which they say is a way to know people like you - but it’s also a way of creating space between people. People often think that I’m a Trump fan or love guns because I’m American and Texan. / Just the usual stereotypes given to Americans based off of what they have seen on T.V. / No, I would say curiosity but not negativity. / Rarely as most of time I just consider it “slagging” but yes I do. / Yes, very often. / Only very rarely. Sometimes people assume I’ll be enthusiastic about everything because I’m American, even about really dumb stuff, which can be slightly insulting, but
"Only when I moved to Ireland was I told I was American."
travel somewhere and people ask where I’m from, I do say Ireland because it is my home and I consider it the place I come from. / No - no Irish passport. Born in the U.S. / Not “really” Irish. After 20 years I still feel that I am not part of the cultural identity, especially in terms of the fact that much of the social rules are based in Catholicism. / No. I still consider myself American but I consider my children to be Irish. / The longer I am here, the less I feel Irish. I’ve been here a decade and am still asked daily where I’m from. Now that I have kids, I feel more American than ever and want them to have that too. / No. I’ve only been living in Ireland since March 2019. My family would say we’re Irish, but I wouldn’t make that distinction myself as the closest Irish relative was a great-great grandfather whom I didn't know. / Yes and no. I do consider myself Irish (my mom is a dual citizen and we have Irish roots). That said, I’m very aware the Irish don’t consider me a real Irish person (Plastic Paddy). / No, I wasn’t born here nor grew up here and it’s not my family’s culture. / No, I feel at home and have chosen to live here but I was born in the States and my family are still there so my connection is still strong. I prefer the values, ethics and way of life here compared to where I grew up. / Well I hold Irish citizenship but probably have more Irish tendencies than considering myself Irish. / No. I do not have any Irish ancestry and I’ve only been here seven months. / Yes. I grew up as an Irish American in New York. Never missed a St. Patrick’s day parade nor a ceili nor an Irish dance. My parents are Irish. I grew up my whole life thinking I was Irish even though I was born in the U.S. It was only when I moved to Ireland was I told I was American. / Not yet, no. I’ve only been here two and half years. I think that will change once I marry my Irish man and I’m here a lot longer. / Yes. By ancestry (my great grandparents emigrated to the
51
