Irish heritage certificates announced by government

Mairin the certificate is a way to recognize, strengthen and hopefully broaden the connection between Ireland and those who's family line can be traced back to Her. It is an effort to encourage tourism and strengthen business ties. It's long term effect is to impact Ireland positively and I believe it can do just that. I also do not believe anything can cheapen my U.S. citzenship- let's be honest I did nothing special to aquire it other then be born to parents who were U.S. citizens.

We don't need certificates to tell us who we are. The Irish government is extending an offer of a certificate to US, to strengthen its connection with US to encourage US to travel to Ireland and spend more time (and money) there as a way to help curb a 13 percent (and growing) unemployment rate. And those of us who accept that offer will do so in a kind and generous spirit, not to try to prove we are something we are not, but because we have a special care and concern for Ireland and its people. Millions of dollars have been flowing across the sea to Ireland each year for the last 150-odd years anyway. Such a gesture recognizing our connection to each other isn't going to destroy the republic.

I still don't get the need for a certificate. If the tables were turned and it was an American certificate being handed out, would you not be a little offended? This seems to be filling a void that some people have but at the end of the day, it is a marketing ploy plain and simple. Read the article, it is all about a business proposition.

George, I didn't say Irish people were racist (in general they are not), but the I've seen Irish people portrayed as racist in Hollywood movies. Anyway, good for you AmAncINED and Ajreaper, if these certificates are treated seriously then its probaby a good idea to introduce them.

Mairin67- agree with you completely! Wearing green and painting Shamrocks on your face no more makes you Irish then wearing a saddle makes you a horse. I think many are confusing nationality, ethnicity and heritage- all very different things. I am an American that is my nationality, if I am asked my ethnic group or what my heritage is unless I am a native American then my answer would not be "American". Let's be completely honest though the average "Joe" will never even be aware of these heritage certificates because they are "Irish" on St. Pat's and that's pretty much it. This will connect with those who's interest in their heritage goes beyond drinking green beer on the 17th of March each year. Personally I think this could be a great thing for Irish tourism and for the Irish disporia who would appreciate the connection to the land of their ancestors. Seems harsh to beat it in to the ground before all the facts are known about it.

As a professional certified genealogist, my mom has documented our Irish ancestry. I've gone to Ireland several times with her to visit the home counties of our Irish immigrant ancestors and to study church records. Her published work also includes the personal history of our ancestors. As a history buff and genealogist, I've studied Irish history as well as American history. I don't have any "Hollywood" ideas about the Irish people. I belong to a club of 500 members who have also documented their Irish heritage. We study Irish history and culture -past and present. Although we are all proud of our Irish ancestry and celebrate it, we are Americans. We use the term "Irish-American" only to identify ourselves as Americans who have Irish ancestry when we are speaking about heritage. We most definitely are not Irish and don't ever think that we are. My fellow club members and I have American birth certificates and most of us have American passports. That's all we want and need.

Conjoly didn't say the Irish were racist. He was referring to the Hollywood version of the Irish. Did I read that right? Ajreaper - I actually applaud anyone who quietly goes about and is proud of their heritage and actually takes the time to investigate and learn more about it ie; going to Ireland. At least it gives you a little credibility. What I can't stand is everyone who paints shamrocks on their faces and wear green all the time who shout out that they are Irish......really? I don't think dangling shamrock earrings or a Guinness t-shirt qualifies as a nationality, or in this case, a certificate. Why is it the Americans of Irish descent (I can only speak for the Americans but I'm certain it happens in Britain and Australia and Canada...everywhere)) feel that they have to wear green to prove their Irishness? I'm just trying to make the point that we need to look to the Irish people to tell us what it is to be Irish. It's not up to us to define it and it just goes to show how removed people really are when they assume what it is to be Irish. It's great to be proud of your heritage but for God's sake, know a little bit about it.

Conjoly's accusation that the Irish are "a bit racist" is absurd when you bear in mind that the Irish government has, alone among European governments, actively pursued a policy of promoting settlement of the country by foreigners. How's that racist, conjoly?

Yerffac: "revival of the language"? You mean Irish? Then you're absolutely wrong. You could walk up and down Dublin's O'Connell Street every day for a year, and you'd hear a hundred or more languages being spoken. But Irish wouldn't be one of them.

hhmnnn hope it doesn't end up cheapening Irish citizenship / making a joke out of it. I understand why some people might like it though, so it can't be all bad. I just hope it doesn't somehow legitimise the claims of the 'Irish' people in the US who have a certain Hollywood notion of what being Irish is (pugnacious, always ready for a fight, a bit racist, sexist, unthinkingly English-hating etc). It doesn't represent real Irish people in Ireland in the 21st Century.

Right on, Marin67. As someone else said on this site, let the Irish be Irish. Even if your grandfather or great, great whatever came from Ireland, what you might have heard from them does not relate much to the Ireland of today, or perhaps even of the old days. In modern Ireland there is renaissance--great new writing, music and dance, revival of the language, high quality education, and best of all, a flying kick in the butt to narrow, destructive brand of Catholicism that strangled the people for centuries. We may have been by some standards "dirt poor," but we always had our pride, and there is nothing either dirty or poor about that.

WOW some of you must live charmed lives if this gets your panty's in a bunch- relax. How about discounts for seniors- what a scam? My union membership gives me discounts on everything from insurance to rental cars- how dare they! And what about discounts for active duty military personal? That's crap I'm a vet and should get the same! This is a marketing scheme without question but it's only worthwhile because many of Irish descent through out the world still have an appreciation and pride in their heritage- why is that a terrible thing? I quietly and without fanfare give monthly to the American Ireland fund and I have visited Ireland and will again because it's where my Gr Gr Grandparents were born and were they fled from during the great famine. Don't much car about a ce rtificate but I understand the rational and thinks it's a pretty neat deal.

I can just see every everyone in Ireland rolling their eyes at this. For just once, I would love to see all of these people who claim to be Irish or who want to be Irish, actually go to Ireland and learn a little somethng about the country and it's people. How about where your family is from instead of the "I dont' know, but they were Irish" If this was the US handing out certificates to every Tom, Dick and Harry who thought it was cool to be American, the americans would be outraged. We should have some respect for the people and culture of Ireland. Their identity is theirs and not for everyone to claim. Are we that desperate that we have to publicly claim another nationality?

I would like to have an Irish heritage certificate from Ireland. Irish immigrants maintained their ties with their homeland, and their Irish family back in Ireland very much appreciated the help. I know this from letters written from my great-great grandfather's parents who lived in Tipperary. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of this, it's a mutually beneficial relationship for those of us who appreciate the recognition. Keep us posted.

Okay, okay if want a certificate--but discounts? I never get discounts in Ireland. Mostly their prices are a total rip-off. Should I have shown them my Irish/EU passport? Maybe I should apply for a certificate so that the next time I go "home" I'll get discounts. And does one have to pay for the certificate? What load of horse do-do this whole thing is. Exploitation.