Talking with Eamon last night about all kinds of things ... but at one point, we discussed the breed of Irish-Americans who are extraordinarily sentimental about Ireland ... and most of them have never been here. I know the type, and he, as an Irishman, certainly knows the type.
I said, "It's like they wouldn't want to see Ireland as it is now, flourishing and booming ... Their idea of Ireland is old, and sentimental. They would want to visit Ireland only during 1847. They love the famine. They think the famine's GREAT. They would come back now and be seriously disappointed to see Ireland doing so well. Well, the famine and the Troubles. I suppose those are the two things they really care about."
Eamon interjected, "Yes, you are quite right. Although you are missing one other thing in your list. One very important thing. In between the famine and the Troubles, there was one small event ... one small thing ... and that is called The Quiet Man."
I burst into laughter.
Eamon went on, laughing himself, "For those people, it is all about 1847, the Troubles, and The Quiet Man. That movie has done more to stereotype this country than all the other things put together!"
I admitted, shamefacedly, that I did adore that movie. Especially the fight scene that goes on for what feels like HOURS.
Eamon said, "Oh, it's a great movie! Just great! But people come to Ireland expecting that all the Irish women will be ... you know ... Maureen O'Hara throwing pots and pans at them ..."
heh heh heh
happy belated b-day!
love mere-see you soon!
and I loved the Quiet Man too.
Posted by: mere at November 28, 2004 7:55 AMYes, Happy happy birthday!! I, too, love The Quiet Man, but you can tell Eamon that I don't expect Maureen O'Hara to throw the pots and pans. I do that back here in the US. That is so American-Irish. hee hee.
Posted by: Beth at November 28, 2004 9:48 AMBetter pots and pans than axes. I suppose you have to wean yourself off the "throwing objects at people's heads" thing gradually. ;-)
And happy birthday, Sheila!
Posted by: Dave J at November 28, 2004 10:03 AMBut then, I spent years playing in a band with various combinations of guys 'n gals from an Irish family with eight kids. And they were ALWAYS throwing things at each other.
Maybe the Irish need to look into this.
Posted by: mitch at November 28, 2004 11:15 AMHappy Day dear one - Betsy
Posted by: Betsy at November 28, 2004 2:07 PMYou mean...red-haired Irish women are not supposed to be strong minded, opinionated, independent, pot-throwing women? Then fercryinoutloud, where did my wife and daughters pick up all these attributes?
Actually, I can sum up my two-decades' experience with a red-haired Irishwomen in a single sentiment: such folk are, given time, literally never wrong.
Now what does that say about we red-haired Irish men? It doesn't say that we are consistantly wrong, but only that a good conversation with our wife beforehand would limit the embarassment.
God, I love this woman.
Posted by: spd rdr at November 28, 2004 3:47 PMI have SO seen the "American Irish" stereotype - it is so romantiziced as to be a caricature. I'm a Scot - we have a lot in common but we don't have the tragic mythos. The United States is built on the "Scotch-Irish" ethic and sensibility - but the romantic "we love the IRA" Irish sentimentality is not part of it - just as it isn't a part of modern, successful, sophisticated Ireland.
My stepfather is Irish, two of his kids live in Scotland, and we talk about this a lot. I could go on about this for a LONG time - but luckily I won't.
Posted by: CW at November 28, 2004 8:33 PMI'm not overly sentimental about Ireland, but the first image I always get when I think of it is the photograph of the small stone house with a thatched roof where my grandmother grew up.
Posted by: Bill McCabe at November 28, 2004 9:14 PMA belated and very happy birthday wish to you Madame Red. Thanks for the posts.
Posted by: Dan at November 28, 2004 11:13 PMHappy late birthday, Sheila! Best wishes for the coming year!
Posted by: Bryan at November 29, 2004 6:44 AMDave J:
Funny you mention it, but when I said good-night to Eamon, I whipped an axe at his head.
Posted by: red at November 29, 2004 10:12 AMIn a completing the circle kinda way, I thought this link might be of interest
Quiet Man Pub To Get Its Proper Home At Last
'Proper home' is, of course, the entirely subjective opinion of the headline writer.
Posted by: peteb at November 29, 2004 10:23 AMI saw your post on that on Slugger, peteb. Strange synchronicity moment, indeed. "Proper home"?? You are right when you say it should be in Hollywood!!
Posted by: red at November 29, 2004 10:27 AMHeheh... the newspaper article couldn't resist the temptation to hype the story at the beginning of the piece -
"The pub... is being shipped from Hollywood to be re-built.."
Ermm... Actually, no. They've bought up what's left of the props and are shipping them out to hang on the walls.
Posted by: peteb at November 29, 2004 10:35 AMJesus. Like you said: god forbid tourists deal with the REAL Ireland and get "disappointed".
Disappointed why? Because the economy is flourishing and Ireland is doing really well?
Er ... and this makes sense how??
Posted by: red at November 29, 2004 10:37 AMand, in the meantime, as you said - "people [will still] come to Ireland expecting that all the Irish women will be.. you know.. Maureen O'Hara throwing pots and pans at them.."
hmm.. there's that synchronicity thing again.
You know, the promotion of a sentimentalised view of Ireland is, in part, what Roddy Doyle was speaking about in this interview - Sexy Dublin? It's a con
Posted by: peteb at November 29, 2004 10:54 AM