Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar meets US president, Donald Trump. 2018 St. Patrick's Day visit to Washington. Irish Government Press Office via Rolling News

Opinion The Irish American community is still an influential force in US politics

A recent book claims that the Irish American influence in Washington is waning but top politicians wouldn’t still be rolling out the green carpet if it was, writes Larry Donnelly.

IT’S NOT SURPRISING given my background, that around this time of year, my thoughts turn to the strong ties between Ireland, the country of my ancestry and now my home, and the United States, where I was born and formed.

Irish politicians rightly avail of the extraordinary access and consequent opportunities in the corridors of power on Capitol Hill and far beyond engendered by 17 March.

In 2019, the overseas trips of government ministers have been overshadowed and curtailed by Brexit and the deadline for either resolution or extension looming in roughly two weeks.

Because this country’s crucial connections with its closest neighbour are likely to be forever altered, no matter how Brexit ultimately shakes out, travelling wherever powerful doors are open may be more important than ever.

Shenanigans

No doubt timed to coincide with St Patrick’s Day, a new book, entitled Shenanigans: The US-Ireland Relationship in Uncertain Times, by Trina Vargo, founder and president of the US-Ireland Alliance, was published recently. 

Excerpts from the book have garnered headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Vargo claims that Bill Clinton voiced displeasure at the decision by the US-Ireland Alliance, not to short-list his daughter’s boyfriend for the Mitchell Scholarship programme which the US- Ireland Alliance administers. 

Vargo is a trenchant critic of what she sees as an Irish American relationship that is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.

In her book, she endeavours to fully explain and expose those failings as she sees them – as well as to settle a few scores. 

While some of her criticisms are meritorious and her alliance has done good work in four areas – business, education, culture and entertainment – one is struck by the negativity that pervades the 239 pages of the book. 

The first sentence of the first chapter references the “nonexistent Irish American vote and [its] diminishing political influence.”

Later,  Vargo describes a proposal for a mutually beneficial agreement that would allow American citizens to live and work in Ireland as “nonsense” and attests that she has “never heard of any Americans, illegally in Ireland, fighting to stay.”

Her conclusion claims that the “vast majority of Irish Americans aren’t that interested in Ireland and even fewer are involved.”

Irish America 

It is, of course, a fact that Irish America is a heterogeneous and amorphous political entity.

Although traditionally Democrats, many have now drifted toward the Republican Party because they are appalled by the former grouping’s lurch to the cultural left or having achieved financial success, they are drawn by the GOP’s low tax policies.

As Catholics and oftentimes centrists, they remain key swing voters in states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Vargo might also be surprised to learn that in some places including where I grew up just south of Boston, Irish surnames dominate among local officeholders and casting ballots according to this ethnic identity persists.

If Irish America were politically impotent, it is improbable that elected officials in America’s capital city and around the country would press a collective pause button in mid-March to extol their Irishness and welcome Irish visitors eager to develop new and myriad mutually beneficial associations.

Politicians are known for self-interest, not altruism.

Other countries would kill for what Ireland has in Washington, DC this week. It should not be eyed dismissively.

Moreover, the potentially impactful intervention of Irish American congressmen (including Democrats Richard Neal and Brendan Boyle and their Republican colleague Peter King) regarding Brexit and the Northern Ireland backstop -  signals that there are still ‘Irish issues’ that unites the community.

Vargo’s other claims are equally misguided. She doesn’t seem very well-acquainted with Irish America.

This leads her to grossly underestimate the number of people there who would dearly love either to live and work or to retire in Ireland. I hear from them frequently, typically with a “you are so lucky” lament.

I personally know hundreds of Irish Americans who have relocated to Ireland. Some have managed to stay while others have had to return with heavy hearts.

The highly publicised case of Megan Crowley is one example of one American who is fighting hard to stay in Ireland.

Vargo’s claim that the vast majority of Irish Americans aren’t interested in Ireland is manifestly debatable and directly at odds the lived experience of myself and my friends. 

Perhaps the most obvious manifestation of that interest is the huge numbers of Irish Americans who chose to visit and holiday in Ireland. The number of trips from the US to Ireland grew considerably last year as Aer Lingus expanded its routes and other carriers also entered the lucrative market.

There is also growing interest in the GAA and other Irish cultural organisations in the US, even in unexpected locales. Irish festivals attract enormous crowds from Alaska to Florida too. The internet makes it easy for Irish Americans to monitor closely what’s happening back home in current affairs and sport and to reach out to their cousins.

One can only wonder how many of this large and ever-expanding cohort of individuals and groups Vargo actually knows. Did she seek them out before forecasting their imminent demise?

Immigration

Vargo is at her most controversial on the issue of immigration.

Vargo observes that young Irish men and women have not immigrated to the US in big numbers for many years. She opines that the flow of people from here to there cannot be the basis of our future relationship. That may be partly true, yet this is precisely what created the relationship.

She is at pains in the book to defend a puzzling 2007 piece she wrote in The Irish Times arguing against a “special deal” for illegal Irish migrants.

These Irish people, according to Vargo, did not need to emigrate because jobs were plentiful at home.  Those of us who knew those young men and women who emigrated were astonished and disgusted that the head of an organisation called the US-Ireland Alliance would oppose any effort to help them. 

Many of them hailed from rural or inner-city communities that never heard the Celtic Tiger roar, while others had left home long before the boom. 

Unlike our ancestors who came before them, they are forced to live in the shadows and are denied chances.

Vargo notes that she has not been forgiven by some erstwhile backers for the piece. And she never will be. A decade plus on, I vividly recall the rage I felt when reading it.  

Nonetheless, when thinking broadly about the two countries I am lucky to call home, the transatlantic flow is remarkable on virtually every other front conceivable.

While eternally dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of policies that will facilitate better human flow – to allow more Irish men and women to chase the American dream and Irish Americans to return – and being equally vigilant and forward thinking with respect to various challenges on the horizon, I still believe that there is greater cause for optimism than pessimism.

Evidence for positivity is omnipresent this week and one prominent naysayer can’t undermine that.

Whether you are in Ireland, the US or anywhere else around the world, happy St Patrick’s Day to you all!

Larry Donnelly is a Boston attorney, a Law Lecturer at NUI Galway and a political columnist with TheJournal.ie.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Foxys van
    Favourite Foxys van
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:03 AM

    Why couldn’t she just fly over on her broom

    437
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergal Reid
    Favourite Fergal Reid
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:05 AM

    Thatcher is an easy target for lazy commentary sometimes but that was brilliant!

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Common Chimpanzee
    Favourite Common Chimpanzee
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:10 AM

    As Christy puts it, “There were some great songs from that era”

    47
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute scaldbag
    Favourite scaldbag
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:14 AM

    They knew the value of money then, 20 years later on one minister spent 250’000 euro on up dating his Dail office

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary o Barry
    Favourite Gary o Barry
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:16 AM

    Thatcher would turn in her grave if she heard these jokes,
    No wait the lady’s not for turning.

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Common Chimpanzee
    Favourite Common Chimpanzee
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:16 AM

    That’s a lot of money to spend on a date… Hope this “office”/”woman” was worth it!!!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Dagg
    Favourite Andrew Dagg
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:46 AM

    For all you young people out there, the helicopter company was owned by Charlie Haughey’s son. So indirectly, the money was going to buy charvet shirts for that c@nt Charlie.
    At the same time he was telling us to tighten our belts.

    161
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 12:02 PM

    Andrew, you are of course correct. Charlie Haughey was in fact Taoiseach at the time so the Government ‘s chartering of helicopters from his son’s Irish Helicopters company was a clear conflict of interest. The civil servants were quite right and a little brave to question the cost.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 12:10 PM

    Andrew, we are wrong. Irish Helicopters was not owned by the Haugheys. Celtic Helicopters was the company founded by Charlie Haughey’s son Ciaran in 1985. It went into liquidation in 2012. Irish Helicopters is now owned by a UK company. Apologies all round.

    41
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Dagg
    Favourite Andrew Dagg
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 12:15 PM

    Mucho apologies..

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Dec 28th 2013, 8:19 AM

    Dont worry Andrew I’m sure many people jumped 2 the same conclusion inc. Myself. The ? Now is Who Owned Irish Helecopters. No details on Irish Historical Aviation Socieity site. You would swear d only aviation event in Ireland’s History occurred in Foynes. Is the Aviation Irish Historical Socieity Grant Aided by the State ? Is it located in Kinsealy ?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malachy Quinn
    Favourite Malachy Quinn
    Report
    Dec 28th 2013, 12:11 PM

    It’s actually run by FF affiliated people including the Brennan’s of Galway, Kiely’s of Cloghrans & Kennedy’s of Wexford. Check out the IAA Board & senior positions.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Murphy
    Favourite Paul Murphy
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2014, 11:06 AM

    Charlies son Ciaran, owned Celtic Helicopters which at the time didn’t have machines with twin engines however Irish Helicopters which was partly owned by Aer Lingus did as they were involved in the support of the Kinsale gas field. The arguement about twin engine helos is still quite valid and our own Aer Corps only operate twin engime machines currently which ministers use with out thought of cost

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute knowyourplace
    Favourite knowyourplace
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:32 AM

    What a great woman, how she dealt with the slim fast terrorists was inspirational to all decent people.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Foxys van
    Favourite Foxys van
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:39 AM

    This has to be Kenneth with a another new name

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Scott
    Favourite Alan Scott
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:59 AM

    Decent people hated her.

    74
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute knowyourplace
    Favourite knowyourplace
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 11:23 AM

    Like who? Her reaction to the slim fast gang was excellent she is reported to have said if she had her way those evil terrorists would be even offered food to refuse

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Foxys van
    Favourite Foxys van
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 11:26 AM

    While the whole time turning a blind eye to the terror and erosion of civil rights of Catholics
    Yea classy lady

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dwickedchicken
    Favourite Dwickedchicken
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 1:09 PM

    You obviously don’t know your place.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Scott
    Favourite Alan Scott
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 1:54 PM

    Were you a baby when this woman were in power ?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Dec 28th 2013, 8:27 AM

    Yeah how she murdered British soldiers and navy personnel and people in Ireland and Argentina for her own self gratification. How she shown no compassion to her own people North of London. How she used her access to military and police resources to rob the hearts, self esteem and self respect, of her own citizens. No No No. NO COMPASSION, NO MERCY, NO WAY.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Murphy
    Favourite Paul Murphy
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2014, 11:11 AM

    The servicemen who fought will disagree with that point of view.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shawn Rahoon
    Favourite Shawn Rahoon
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 1:29 PM

    Ding Dong, the wicked witch is dead…. What a classic film :):):)

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Scott
    Favourite Alan Scott
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 10:46 AM

    Should have been given the use of a wheelbarrow or swim home

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Mac Eochagáin
    Favourite Ian Mac Eochagáin
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 11:27 AM

    She was probably horrified. She did, after all, pay for the ironing board in Downing Street herself.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PaulM1878
    Favourite PaulM1878
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 2:30 PM

    Didn’t Haughey’s Son own Irish Helicopters?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Red Rooster
    Favourite Red Rooster
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 3:18 PM

    Sean I think.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Scott
    Favourite Alan Scott
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 3:50 PM

    Was it said at the time Haughey liked and got on well with her

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Red Rooster
    Favourite Red Rooster
    Report
    Dec 27th 2013, 3:17 PM

    Wasn’t it Haughey’s son that owned Irish helicopters?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Murphy
    Favourite Paul Murphy
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2014, 11:09 AM

    Read the above.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Dec 28th 2013, 8:43 AM

    What did Haughey say to Thatcher when he presented her with a silver teapot ?

    Ah go on, go on, go on !

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds