IRISH-AMERICANS of Boston.... (Brookline, Canton: neighborhood, to live, law)

[Tiger Beer]

I'm of Irish-descent...Irish-American.

Seems like Boston is the most Irish-American city out there...and I know nothing of Boston culture...but heard of Italians and Irish use to be the dominant cultures of Boston...heard that Irish still have a strong presense.

Being an American mutt of European ancestries...where everyone in the country wants to identify with something...always made me interesting to get in touch with the Irish-American side of being American. Ireland itself is a much different culture, and I don't think Irish really identify with an Irish-American anyways...

So Boston always struck me as about Irish-American as you can get...well, hoping to hear some comments about that one way or another...

[CityGirl52]

With quite a lot of us here in the greater Boston area, our parents were or are actually the "Irish-Americans" because there parents (our grandparents) were the ones born in Ireland & most of our parents were either born there OR born in the USA, so then when all of us were born HERE in this country, we're Americans or so I THINK it goes like that??? Irish would be the first generation that came over from Ireland, then their kids, the next generation would be the "Irish-Americans" here & then their kids are "American". I think I have it right??? IN any case, that's how it is for Italians & other nationalities too when they are born here if I'm not mistaken. If any one disagrees or knows it's not right, don't hesitate to clue me in!

I assumed it was this way for years after reading about it in books about all of us here!

[seamusnh]

We have a nice cultural center in Canton, MA.. www.irishculture.org

I am Irish-American. Born here to immigrant parents. Claimed dual citizenship 20 years ago; carry two passports. I am as much Irish as American. Is there really a culture that is "American" anyway?

I maintain that ethnic is good. My brother in law Vinny is Italian and Danny is German. It all makes life more interesting....

[CityGirl52]

Where my grandparents were all born in Ireland, both sets of them & even if it was just one grandparent in other peoples cases. I am the last generation that will be able to get "dual citizenship" from what I understand of it?? For instance, my nieces & nephews wouldn't be able to get it at all, in their generation, where they're 4th generation. I keep saying I'm going to get this dual citizenship, but I never actually get it rolling with the paperwork & all that. I probably should do it before they change the rules on it and tell us all it's too late, we can't get it any more. I guess they were OR are planning on stopping this process of getting the dual citizenship with this situation with the irish ancestry, from what I understand of it? If any one out there knows, let me know, may be it will light a flame under me to get moving with it!

[clevedark]

The neighborhood I live in Brookline used to be called, or maybe still is called in some circles, "The Irish Channel." Not after a tv channel, but a body of water. Another old name for it is "Whisky Point." We say "The Point" today.

So you can see the Irish were up against plenty of prejudice here in Boston 150 years ago, or whenever the great migration was.

There is a running joke that every other guy here is named Kevin....

NYC also has a huge Irish legacy.

Italian- Americans I don't notice very much here in Boston--which is too bad since they tend to be rather GORGEOUS.

[WannaGoHome]

hey clevedark you might want to venture to the north end. i speak italian to my neighbors on a daily basis and, by last boston census, i think the neighborhood is still 47% italian (or something like that. I wish i could find the link). That's a ton of italians. come on by.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by CityGirl52

Where my grandparents were all born in Ireland, both sets of them & even if it was just one grandparent in other peoples cases. I am the last generation that will be able to get "dual citizenship" from what I understand of it?? For instance, my nieces & nephews wouldn't be able to get it at all, in their generation, where they're 4th generation. I keep saying I'm going to get this dual citizenship, but I never actually get it rolling with the paperwork & all that. I probably should do it before they change the rules on it and tell us all it's too late, we can't get it any more. I guess they were OR are planning on stopping this process of getting the dual citizenship with this situation with the irish ancestry, from what I understand of it? If any one out there knows, let me know, may be it will light a flame under me to get moving with it!

I had the same idea as you since my grandfather was born in Ireland, and I have his birth certificate, oh well,I may be more Boston with the accent.
I did go as far as looking up how to go about all this.

[clevedark]

I adore the North End. I don't know why everyone doesn't want to live there.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by CityGirl52

With quite a lot of us here in the greater Boston area, our parents were or are actually the "Irish-Americans" because there parents (our grandparents) were the ones born in Ireland & most of our parents were either born there OR born in the USA, so then when all of us were born HERE in this country, we're Americans or so I THINK it goes like that??? Irish would be the first generation that came over from Ireland, then their kids, the next generation would be the "Irish-Americans" here & then their kids are "American". I think I have it right??? IN any case, that's how it is for Italians & other nationalities too when they are born here if I'm not mistaken. If any one disagrees or knows it's not right, don't hesitate to clue me in!

I assumed it was this way for years after reading about it in books about all of us here!

question my dad was born in Boston, and his dad in Ireland, therefore, Yes a mutt, but? the grandchild with the irish?