In spite of past hardships, the Irish have long been known for their luck, wit, and solabharthacht.
Contributing to their reputation are their creation of curses which can be wickedly clever while their blessings are beautifully sentimental; and their delightful play with words can only make you smile as exampled in the following:
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad;
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue;
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away;
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
- •"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." -- John F. Kennedy
Soon this month we shall celebrate America's Irish roots, but celebration was not always the attitude in our country toward our Irish immigrants.
During America's 1850's, no group was scorned more than the Irish
Desperate to leave an impoverished land and English oppression, the Irish staked their hopes on the bright shimmering shores of America. Leaving the homes of their youth, they came here on crowded, diseased "coffin ships," only to find upon landing that "their kind" wasn't welcome.
Throughout shame, illiteracy, utter poverty, and even ridicule of their outdated dress and Irish brogue, their struggle to merely survive was severe. Relegated to diseased shanty towns, the greater percentage of all infants born to Irish immigrants in New York City died.
It was through solidarity that they gathered strength to carry on. They had each other to pray with and to drink with as they made the best of a bad situation. Their faith, fierce protection of their Church, and great desperation to succeed by 'hook or crook' in a land of opportunity saw them through many a setback.
Hard workers were needed in America
While other immigrants said 'no thanks' to the dangerous work necessary for the clearing of land and building of railroads, bridges, canals, and in coal mines, the Irish accepted the challenge with lowest of wages; and many found an early death. One Southerner explained the use of Irish labor for dangerous jobs by saying that "niggers are worth too much to be risked here; if the Paddies are knocked overboard . . . nobody loses anything." Source
Women of other nationalities turned up their noses to being chamber maids, cooks, and nannies. It was the work of a servant as was suggested, "Let Negroes be servants, and if not Negroes, let Irishmen fill their place..." Source or "The Negro is black outside; the Irishman is black inside." Even Blacks of the time resented the Irish for coming over here and started calling them "white niggers."
And so while women of polite society would not demean themselves to the tasks of a servant, the Irish humbly and gratefully accepted what they could get, proving their keen worth. When a hotel keeper was asked why all the women servants in his hotel were Irish, he replied,
"The thing is very simple: the Irish girls are industrious, willing, cheerful, and honest--they work hard, and they are very strictly moral. I should say that is quite reason enough." Source
Irish fought in Wars for America
Our fighting Irish fought mightily and against the odds for America with their battle cry Faugh A Ballagh. Before each battle, with a priest, they would pray together, and their faith would guide them in strength against the enemy. It was through war and the rewards of success in war that the heroic Irish achieved the greatest degree of respect, admiration, and also an education, paid for.
- •"When asked what I am most proud of, I stick out my chest, hold my head high and state proudly, 'I served in the United States Navy!'" -- John F. Kennedy
Disease and poverty became memories of the past as the Irish today are among the most Americanized of our citizens. Long live the Irish as we help them toast in refrain:
•May those who love us, love us.
•And those that don't love us,
•May God turn their hearts.
•And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
•May he turn their ankles
•So we'll know them by their limping.
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