After having spent nearly two months in Cork, Ireland, this semester, I have noticed striking similarities between the Irish and the Irish-American communities in my hometown. Having no Irish heritage myself, I had previously assumed the identity was mostly concerned with the consumption of Guinness and lively laughter in pubs. In part, I have come to find that it most certainly does (with the exception of Guinness being replaced with Murphy’s in Cork). However, I have also come to recognize that Irish heritage, especially in America, instead encapsulates love and acceptance largely beyond that of American culture alone. To be Irish is to welcome others, regardless of origin, and to love greatly despite setbacks. This to me is exemplified …show more content…
In Ireland, it’s normal to meet and connect with someone new everyday—on the train, in class, or even just walking along the street. It’s an atmosphere of welcomeness, and I find that is a quality that transfers to the Irish community of Holyoke, near my hometown of Chicopee. Holyoke holds a large St.Patrick’s Parade every year, and during that time, I have fond memories over the years of joining strangers for a barbecue and sharing decorations with children we had never met. I did not at the time associate this with being Irish, but now am certain that this friendliness is specific to the culture. Within the other communities in my town, it would be odd and unusual to invite a stranger into our home, regardless of the celebration. This is not necessarily negative, but certainly cultural, as I find the general American attitude toward approaching strangers is cautious to a certain extent. However, in places like Holyoke and Boston where the Irish culture is quite popular, I find it to be just the opposite. I believe that without Irish influence on my community, it would be quite an isolated one. There certainly would be no barbecues with new friends or friendly conversation in a grocery store between strangers in line; the cultural contribution that Irish immigrants have brought to America lies far beyond recipes and beer, but