Last night, Eamon and I discussed the breed of Irish-Americans who are extraordinarily sentimental about Ireland, even thought many of them have never been here. I know the type, and he, as an Irishman, certainly knows the type.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
Eamon interjected, “Yes, you are quite right. Although you are missing one other thing in your list. One very important<\/i> thing. In between the famine and the Troubles, there was one small event … one small thing … and that is called The Quiet Man<\/i>.”<\/p>\n
I burst into laughter.<\/p>\n
Eamon went on, laughing himself, “For those people, it is all about 1847, the Troubles, and The Quiet Man<\/i>. That movie has done more to stereotype this country than all the other things put together!”<\/p>\n
I admitted, shamefacedly, that I did adore that movie. Especially the fight scene that goes on for what feels like HOURS.<\/p>\n
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 …”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last night, Eamon and I discussed the breed of Irish-Americans who are extraordinarily sentimental about Ireland, even thought many of them have never been here. I know the type, and he, as an Irishman, certainly knows the type. I said, … Continue reading