53 Comments

• vicmcin | Mar 17, 2011, 02:47 PM EDT

  that was supposed to be early 1800's and loved

• vicmcin | Mar 17, 2011, 02:03 PM EDT

  I need to get info on my family that lived in Ireland in the early 1900's, I want to go there someday and find our roots, I've always loed all things Irish.

• Phrinchas | Mar 11, 2011, 10:43 PM EST

  How do I get one?

• McClintonTree | Nov 28, 2010, 08:12 AM EST

  I'm interested for myself, my wife and our children. However, what's the certificate cost? My great-grandfather John Melia was born in Ireland in 1840 and came to the U.S. in 1860. He married Martha McClinton, a Savannah, Ga., resident whose mother and father were born in Ireland. To me, these certificates are a nice gesture but are they reasonably priced so as to be affordable? Where can I surf to view a sample and get the price?

• Dublinjas | Sep 13, 2010, 10:26 PM EDT

  We dont think you are Irish enough to rate a passport But gimme your money anyway, That is the Cynical message coming from this Government of Misfits and Negligent Fools. Anyone who takes a walk around any Irish town or city cannot help but notice the Trash that this bunch has brought into Ireland under some kind of Mad Rush to Forcefully create a so called Multicultural Nation as if Ireland had just been discovered and was now being peopled for the first time, The way things stand at the moment is by opening the flood gates to the world Ireland or more specifically a handful of Idiot politicians and Clergy have sown the seeds for the Demise and Extinction of the Irish Race in a further generation or three. Make no mistake these people are as guilty of Treason as any Traitor that has ever existed.

• irishcoffeekid | Aug 29, 2010, 02:33 PM EDT

  I'm an Irish citizen living in the USA for the past 6 years! What I'd like to see them doing is something about our voting rights - because I live in the USA I cannot vote in Ireland (even though my family is still there and I travel home often and keep up with news) but as I'm waiting on my citizenship to be processed in the USA, I can't vote here yet either! There is something wrong with the system whereby you pay taxes, you contribute to your community here in the USA, you're a resident of the country, you own property yet you still cannot vote! Makes me crazy - i wish they'd focus on this issue as a priority. Thats not to say I dont recognise there are people who want to promote their irish heritage and history but as someone who now sees the USA as home, I want the right to vote here and have a say in who gets into power - especially as we are now in the voting phase in DC for a new mayor!

• TMcGinty | Jun 27, 2010, 10:13 PM EDT

  I think the idea is a good one. Both sets of grandparents came over in the 1890's. My parents were the first to go back. My first visit was in 1992. I have since visited eight more times and will continue as I love both Ireland(something learned from three generations above me) and the relatives I have been blessed to meet. I would welcome any discounts as I am retired, but will continue to visit with or without. While I recognize the views of others in this column, please leave out the venom. Remember that no government program, it's motivation or reader's opinion is meant to be be one size fits all. If you need to vent, try opening a window. I did this June in Castlebar and the cool breeze let me sleep like a baby. Up Mayo!

• Mairin67 | Jun 24, 2010, 11:03 AM EDT

  Ajreaper, I'm only making the point that this certificate is a business scheme....and you are agreeing with me. All I am saying is call it a business scheme and not a heritage thing. I dont' have a problem with offering discounts to attract tourists. It's doing business. I do have a problem though with luring people "who think they might be Irish" with a piece of paper with a stamp on it. It's ridiculous.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 23, 2010, 05:57 PM EDT

  citizen69: I don't think you've been to Ireland recently. If you had, you'd have seen countless Indians, Pakistanis, Africans, Chinese, Russians, Arabs etc. Have these countries joined the European Union while you were asleep?

• Ajreaper | Jun 23, 2010, 05:11 PM EDT

  Citizen if it allows for some discounts or something similar it benefits both- the value of this, as with all things is in the eye of the beholder. Some will want this and others will show no interest- some spend money on a coat of arms supposedly their family's others could care less. There's no harm in it- I mean they'll not be demanding those with Irish surnames aquire such a certificate.

• citizen69 | Jun 23, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT

  GeorgeDillon: "If unemployment in Ireland is such a problem, why are they still importing thousands of foreign workers every month?" Any citizen of the European Union is entitled to live & work in Ireland (or anywhere else in the EU) if they choose and i don't think Ireland can legally stop that. Ajreaper: "It is an effort to encourage tourism and strengthen business ties"." Exactly, this policy was introduced to benefit the Irish Government, not the Irish diaspora scattered around the world. I wonder how much this 'certificate' is going to cost?

• ShamrockMiss | Jun 23, 2010, 12:11 AM EDT

  GeorgeDillon: you make a very good point there!

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 22, 2010, 08:29 PM EDT

  ShamrockMiss: "help curb a 13 percent (and growing) unemployment rate". ------------------ I don't buy this. If unemployment in Ireland is such a problem, why are they still importing thousands of foreign workers every month?

• Ajreaper | Jun 22, 2010, 05:39 PM EDT

  Who said they can only survive "with our help"? Who belittled anyone? You are seeing things that do not exsist and were never stated by anyone. The simple fact is anyone the least bit connected to the tourism industry applauds anything that get's folks to Ireland- it keeps them employed. World economies are interconnected- what's good for Ireland is good for the Europeon union and the U.S.(my guess is these days there are far less Irish flying into New York for shopping trips then there were prior to this economic turn down) Mairino you harbor some irrational thoughts on this issue- where in Gods name do you get that anyone is belittling the Irish?

• Mairin67 | Jun 22, 2010, 05:16 PM EDT

  Ok, when all you guys travel to Ireland and connect with the people (on a real level), ask them what they think of this. I think it's great that they want to encourage People to travel to Ireland...it's called tourism and Bord Failte and Discover Ireland does a great job doing this. Stop belittling the Irish by suggesting that they can only survive with our help.

• Ajreaper | Jun 22, 2010, 04:49 PM EDT

  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.

• ShamrockMiss | Jun 22, 2010, 03:53 PM EDT

  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.

• Mairin67 | Jun 22, 2010, 12:38 PM EDT

  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.

• Conjoly | Jun 22, 2010, 11:20 AM EDT

  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.

• Ajreaper | Jun 22, 2010, 11:13 AM EDT

  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.

• AmAncINED | Jun 22, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT

  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.

• Mairin67 | Jun 22, 2010, 10:05 AM EDT

  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.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 22, 2010, 07:11 AM EDT

  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?

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 22, 2010, 07:07 AM EDT

  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.

• Conjoly | Jun 22, 2010, 12:17 AM EDT

  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.

• Yerffac | Jun 21, 2010, 10:09 PM EDT

  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.

• Ajreaper | Jun 21, 2010, 07:33 PM EDT

  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.

• Mairin67 | Jun 21, 2010, 07:11 PM EDT

  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?

• Searlit | Jun 21, 2010, 06:58 PM EDT

  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.

• Yerffac | Jun 21, 2010, 06:00 PM EDT

  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.

• KMcSinger | Jun 21, 2010, 05:33 PM EDT

  What a great idea!

• FromPhoenix | Jun 21, 2010, 05:16 PM EDT

  There are many of us who can still remember the beautiful lilt in our grandparent's speech and how it subconsciously affected our parents way of saying words. Yes, of course, we are Americans but for those of us descended from potato famine Irish and more recently the Republic of Ireland, Ireland was always part of our lives. I grew up with Ireland at war with itself and so my grandparents and other relatives were often concerned for those who stayed behind. We often sent clothing and small amounts of money to clothe and feed them. We weren't being "ripped off" - it wasn't a scam. They were dirt poor. Not that my immigrant grandparents had much to their name here in the states. They always worked for someone else, never owned property, and were decidedly lower to lower middle class. But the traditions, songs, poetry, Irish dancing etc. were the riches they gave me. A lot of us would love to walk the streets of our ancestors and someone lucky like me who knows the streets, towns, and counties where they lived because of the many letters I inherited from them, would love to just see the land from which they came.

• Yerffac | Jun 21, 2010, 05:13 PM EDT

  to rhunter67: Okay. I do see your point, and I suppose many other groups want to be identified with their country of origin. It's just that a lot of folks claiming Irishness are very far removed from the old county, and have a what I call a "Tura-Lura-Lura" i.e., a very romanticized idea of what Ireland and the Irish area about. BTW, being Irish is not all it's cracked to be. (That was a joke, folks. I don't know how to do the smiley face thing here)!

• fkoester | Jun 21, 2010, 04:47 PM EDT

  Great grandparents came from County Mayo and County Longford, but I haven't been able to trace them other than through grandfather born in New York. This would be great for me and my family.

• figtirish | Jun 21, 2010, 04:42 PM EDT

  I thnk it is a superb idea and draws the Diaspora closer --well done irish government

• rhunter67 | Jun 21, 2010, 04:36 PM EDT

  To Yerfac, we do identify ourselves as American but there are many of us who have been raised with a great deal of traditional Irish influence, in some cases more than the young Irish of today who would rather be English or French. At the same time, it provides more of an identity to people than just being white, especially when you come from an immigration port of entry like NY or NJ where people take pride in their ethnic heritage.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 21, 2010, 04:22 PM EDT

  This from a government who even denies the vote to those of its citizens who happen to be out of the country on Election Day. I agree with the other comments--it's a scam, peddled by a bankrupt gombeen country.

• WoundedKnee | Jun 21, 2010, 04:10 PM EDT

  What a load of garbage. And will they SELL (there'll be a cost for all this) these pseudo-certs to the Irish folks in Argentina who were turned away by the Irish government a few years ago when their country was disintegrating? Oh no, beause at that time it was Argentina that was in trouble, and Ireland was booming! Now it's the other way around. Irish == Snivelling Hypocrites.

• GeorgeDavis | Jun 21, 2010, 04:07 PM EDT

  RedCelt: "It's a ploy to get some green out of us yanks". ----- You're right on the money there. I know Ireland very well, as I have dual citizenship., I know that the majority of the younger Irish sneer at Irish-Americans, and the older Irish just look to us to make a few quick euros. They don't call it Rip-Off Ireland for nothing!

• donal1951 | Jun 21, 2010, 03:26 PM EDT

  I certainly hope the same discounts and benefits will be made available to those of us who are, in fact, dual citizens.

• Yerffac | Jun 21, 2010, 02:44 PM EDT

  "I'm Irish too!" "Oh, from what county?" "Well, my great-grandmother's grandmother on my father's side..." Right. I'm tired of peple claiming they are "Irish". There is a club in Connecticut claiming to be for the Irish or those with Irish ancestory. It has a waiting list a mile long--and get this--even those of us who are Irish, were born and raised in Ireland, have to get on the list and be recommended for membership by a club member. I wonder how they determine who is eligible if being Irish in not an automatic "in"; what are the club's criteria? I've been there as a guest and the only truly Irish people I've ever met were the wait staff. (No, I don't belong, nor do I want to. I don't have join a club to be Irish. I am Irish.) How about you wannabees just accepting your American-ness? American is not such a bad thing to be.

• FromPhoenix | Jun 21, 2010, 02:03 PM EDT

  It would be so much easier if NY State, where so many immigrants arrived would allow children of deceased residents to obtain a long form birth certificate for their parent. I have all the necessary paperwork ready to go EXCEPT for a copy of my mother's long form birth certiificate. Her mother, my grandmother, was born in Ireland. New York state absolutely refuses to release the necessary long form birth certificate of my mother. Ireland may be welcoming us, but New York where so many Irish immigrants shed their blood, sweat, and tears, refuses to be cooperative. Had my grandmother stepped over the border into Connecticut to have my mother, I would have no problem at all in getting a long form copy.

• RadCelt | Jun 21, 2010, 02:00 PM EDT

  Citizen69 & jmcauliff are right on target - It's a ploy to get some green out of us yanks - without any real legal or other benefit (as described), in fact it sounds more like a Irish-diaspora coupon for travel and accommodations - Open immigration further to include great grandparents who emigrated and then we can talk benefits!

• ShamrockMiss | Jun 21, 2010, 01:25 PM EDT

  Mairin67, I think you miss the point. The certificate will not be one to prove our Irish "authenticity," but will recognize us as members of the Irish diaspora. We're well aware that we're not "Irish," as we've been reminded over and over again, but that doesn't change the fact that we are immigrants from Ireland, or descendants of Irish immigrants, and that our experience has been very different than many other emigrants from European countries. Obviously many other Europeans emigrated by choice, whereas our families often left under intense physical, social, and economic pressure, and many generations later that sense of loss is still with some Irish diaspora families. I think it's wonderful that Ireland is attempting to recognize that link between the Irish and her people abroad. The other half of my family is from England and clearly England would never think to do anything as generous as this.

• Mairin67 | Jun 21, 2010, 01:04 PM EDT

  Really? People need a certificate now to prove their heritage? Sounds like a business deal to me. If you are not born and raised on Irish soil you are not considered Irish by the natives regardless of what the government says or what discounts they are going to offer. Can't we just let the Irish be Irish and stop diluting it with all this nonsense. Serioulsy, if you tell someone you are Irish, are they going to question the authenticity of that? If they do, good thing you can whip out your certificate of authenticity.

• JeffGallagher | Jun 21, 2010, 12:22 PM EDT

  A wonderful opportunity for those of us who either missed the chance to obtain our citizenship or were unable to provide the needed proof. Ireland, unlike most countries, covets it's children abroad and considers them her own, even when away. This isn't tokenism, as one person said, it is a hand reaching out as they have done before.

• citizen69 | Jun 21, 2010, 12:20 PM EDT

  Another ploy to leverage a few more dollars from the yanks!

• jmcauliff | Jun 21, 2010, 12:06 PM EDT

  Inadequate tokenism, an advertising hype. They should reopen citizenship eligibility, at least to those with great grandparents who emigrated. Even broader would serve Ireland's interests by creating deeper links with diaspora. A requirement could be at least two months continuous residence so seriousness of interest is assured. John McAuliff

• midlandsmiss | Jun 21, 2010, 11:03 AM EDT

  It's a fine idea. I just missed qualifying for citizenship, which earlier was open to those who had g-grandparents born in Ireland - had I been aware of the process in the 80's I could have done it. But this would be great. Please keep us informed.

• pubhopper | Jun 21, 2010, 10:03 AM EDT

  Keep us informed. Would help on next trip to Ireland. Hopefully next year when daughter is taking a semester at Trinity.

• rgspopsrgspops | Jun 21, 2010, 09:44 AM EDT

  Sure hope that I can get one.

• IRISHKNIGHT110 | Jun 21, 2010, 09:23 AM EDT

  How do I get one.

• Kendall | Jun 21, 2010, 09:05 AM EDT

  Have they announced the process yet?