
The Irish in America
A story in the Limerick Leader tells of the American presidential candidate's Irish roots and of the groupof singers Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys
"A TRIO of brothers from Limerick have recorded a tribute to American Presidential hopeful Barack Obama that addresses the Michigan Senator's Irish ancestry." [Source: Limerick Leader]
The lyrics are below and see YouTube and the hardydrew.com website to view the video.
See also Obama himself on his Irish-ness. (YouTube)
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
You don't believe me
I hear you say
But Barack's as Irish
As was JFK
His granddaddyss daddy
Came from Moneygall
A small Irish village
Well known to you all
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish
As Barack O'Bama
He's as Irish as bacon
And cabbage and stew
He's Hawaiian he's Kenyan
American too
If he succeeds
And he has a chance
I'm sure our Barack
Will do Riverdance
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish
As Barack O'Bama
Seamus Metress is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at University of Toledo. He has written many books on the subject of the Irish in America, including the following:
- Irish in Michigan with Eileen Metress
"Irish immigration to the United States can be divided into five general periods, from 1640 to the present: the colonial, prestarvation, great starvation, post-starvation, and post- independence periods."
- The Irish- American Experience
- The American Irish and Irish Nationalism
- The Irish in North America
- Outlines in Irish History.
There is a column in The Irish Emmigrant that I find particularly interesting written by Gary Hetzler called An American in Ireland. Gary moved to Ireland several years ago and hails from The States, actually one particular state, Massachusetts. He writes little stories about his life that I relate to as an Irish-American. He has his opinions and insights. He wrote about the family's trip back home, including "a quick buzz through Marblehead" on their way to Newburyport, both charming towns. All the places he refers to are familiar to me. I find his comments interesting on the differences in the availability of retail items, for instance, and to learn what are considered bargains or specialties of this cournty versus Ireland, such as clothes and golf balls. Of course, you can read the article yourself and find more interesting introspections.
FAMILY REUNIONS
Planning a Family Reunion
Don't go it alone in planning your upcoming family reunion. Get the family involved. Here are some lniks to websites that will help you think through all that needs to be done and how to accomoplish it.
Cranky's "Family Reunion Invitation" search results - sample family reunion invitations and templates for making a family tree.
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