Country
The country that I will be reporting on for this semester will be Ireland. I decided on Ireland because I want to learn more about the country that my ancestors are from.
How Many Live in the US? In the tristate area? How many live in the home country? In the tristate area, where do they live?
According to Irishcenrtal.com, about 32.3 million or 10% of the people living in the USA claim Irish heritage. The population of Ireland itself is estimated to be just below 5 million, at 4.95 million people.
The Northeast contains the largest density of Irish people. At least 15% of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut’s population are of Irish heritage.
In New York, according to Nerdwallet.com, Long Island remains the stronghold of Irish culture within the state. Half of the top ten most populated Irish places are on Long Island, including towns like Sayville, East and West Islip, Miller Place, and Massapequa. New York City also has historically Irish neighborhoods such as Bainbridge in the Bronx and Five Points in Manhattan.
What jobs do a significant percentage of them have?
The Library of Congress writes how Irish immigrants entered the workforce at the bottom of the occupational ladder and took on menial and dangerous jobs that were often avoided by other workers. Many Irish American women became servants or domestic workers, while many Irish men labored in coal mines and built railroads and canals. Over time, many Irish Americans climbed occupational and social ladders through politically appointed positions such as policeman, Fisherman, and teachers. With every passing generation, Irish Americans became more educated and entered circles of power. As for Ireland itself, the most common jobs are in sales, retail and farming.
Why did they come? When?
Additionally, the Library of Congress writes that many early Irish immigrants were of Scottish or English descent. These people were pushed out of Ireland religious conflicts, lack of political autonomy, and dire economic conditions. These people, often called “Scotch-Irish” were pulled to America by the promise of land ownership and greater religious freedom. The Scottish-Irish settled predominantly in the middle colonies, especially in Pennsylvania, which we can see now how that has remained that case, being the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania contains has the highest population of Irish Americans in the country. Most of these people came to America starting in the 1820s. However, it wasn’t till the 1840s when a potato famine hit Ireland that forced many Irish to leave the country. This potato famine plagued Ireland and within five years, a million Irish died and half a million emigrated to America to start a new life.
Major organizations, advocacy groups, resources
Irish Network USA, The Ancient Order of Hibernian, the Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI), the Irish Advocacy Network, are just a few major Irish organizations. Also, the Irish Echo is the longest established Irish newspaper in America.
Ireland’s Major Media Houses
Some of Ireland’s top media companies are the Independent News and Media (INM), Communicorp, UTV, UPC, the Irish Times, News International and BSkyB.
US-Ireland Relations
According to the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, US Relations with Ireland have long been based on common ancestral ties and shared values. The US and Irish governments benefit from a robust slate of exchanges in areas such as commerce, culture, education, and scientific research. With Ireland’s membership in the European Union (EU), discussions of EU trade and economic policies, as well as other aspects of broader EU policy, constitute key elements in the U.S. – Ireland relationship.
The International Fund for Ireland (IFI), established by the British and Irish governments in 1986, provides funding for projects to sustain the peace process and to generate cross-community engagement and economic opportunity in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and the border counties of Ireland. The U.S. government has contributed more than $544 million to the IFI since its establishment.
GDP Per Capita
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Ireland was last recorded to be $79,703.40, in US dollars, in 2019. Ireland ranks top five in the world in GDP in any rankings that you were to look at.
According to the World Atlas, Ireland is one of the richest countries in the world. The primary industries of Ireland rely on its rich natural resources and include agriculture, mining, forestry and fishing. Additionally, the pharmaceutical and medical industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Ireland as a result of the high demand, steep competition, and emerging start-ups. Trade and export are the main components of the economy in Ireland. All manufactured products must be sold for the country to earn revenue.
System of Government, when it came into place
Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. Its constitution was assembled in 1937. The country’s head of state, the president, is elected directly by the public for a term of seven years and is eligible for reelection for a second term. The president normally acts on the advice of the government but also consults an advisory Council of State in the exercise of certain functions. The president signs and promulgates bills passed by the Oireachtas. There are two houses of the Oireachtas – the Dali and the Seanad Eireann (Senate). Chief legislative power is centered in the 158 seat Dali. The Senad may delay bills passed by the Dali, or it may suggest them, but it cannot indefinitely block their passage into law. Executive power is vested in the prime minister, who heads the cabinet and presides over its meetings. The prime minister, deputy prime minister, and the minister of finance must be members of the Dali.
The local government system comprises five county borough corporations, five borough corporations in major cities, and twenty-nine county councils, as well as numerous urban district councils and boards of town commissioners.
NY Consul General
The NY Consul General of Ireland is Ciaran Madden, who took up the role in August 2017.
Three Story Ideas
My first idea is to interview the owner of an Irish pub in Hampton Bays, NY, named Buckley’s Inn Between. I’m thinking the owner of an Irish Pub must be well-versed in Irish culture and the Irish scene out here on Long Island. I could also ask about them about the restaurant and about Irish pubs in general.
My second idea is to interview my dad and all his relatives. My dad is one of ten brothers and sisters that are Irish. My dad was born and raised in Port Washington. When my dad was in middle school the family moved out to East Hampton. I could ask all my aunts and uncles how the Irish scene was back when they were growing up and comparing it to now. I could ask them how the Irish community has changed over the years on Long Island.
My third idea is to reach out to the organizers of the Long Island Irish Festival and conduct an interview with them. I could ask them about the significance of the festival, the purpose, the origins, and I could relate it to COVID and ask how it will be conducted this year.