144 Comments

• EamonnDublin | Jun 15, 2012, 11:05 AM EDT

  !

• seanomelb | Apr 26, 2012, 09:02 PM EDT

  Take your bat and ball and go home who cares.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 26, 2012, 04:16 AM EDT

  "Seanomelb"! You really are funny. Every single thing that anybody else says, every single phrase, is taken by you and twisted around in order that you can give a snarling response. You even, apparently, refuse to believe that I live in Dublin. This latter bee in your bonnet ("allegedly from Dublin") is such a ridiculously petty comment that I will waste no more of my time responding to you. Love to All, Éamonn, Terenure, Dublin, Ireland.

• seanomelb | Apr 25, 2012, 07:51 PM EDT

  The age factor is from various polls taken in the USA.It's neither "sexist nor ageist"(which was a stupid comment anyway).Why kill the messenger?? Maybe your devoid of common sense.Eamonn (allegedly from Dublin)

• EamonnDublin | Apr 25, 2012, 04:14 AM EDT

  Hi "SEanomelb"! Your remark about "35 to 60 year old" males is both ageist and sexist. And here was I thinking you were all for equality. How wrong can one be! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• seanomelb | Apr 24, 2012, 07:28 PM EDT

  The teaparty are a dying breed,its main followers are 35yr.old to 60yr. old bigoted males.

• jamieLM | Apr 24, 2012, 10:29 AM EDT

  @BrianO, your definition of the tea party is spot-on. It's a response to a runaway govt. that engages in runaway spending. Good post.

• BrianO | Apr 24, 2012, 09:24 AM EDT

  The premise that the tea party is extremist is false. The tea party was/is a response to runaway government and a return to the founding documents of the U.S.. If you believe the tea party to be extremist than that would mean you believe the U.S. Constituition to be extremist, The Bill Of Rights to be extremist, and Individual Freedom to be extremist. There was a time such views were held to be extreme and if the American revolutionary war had not been won those writers of these documents surely would have paid for their views with their lives, but luckily I live in a land that has the rule of law governed by the aforementioned documents.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 24, 2012, 03:23 AM EDT

  "Dingle999", Yes, I support the Tea Party - I have no idea what my being Irish has to do with it. I detest Charles Haughey and all he stood for. I believe Sarah Palin has some very good points, and she obviously is popular with a lot of the USA electorate, but, no, I do not believe she would make a good POTUS. Love to all, Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 24, 2012, 03:20 AM EDT

  Seanomelb, Last time I looked in the dictionary, "all" meant" "every". However, just to comply with your wishes, and even bearing in mind that I have heard no Christian or Jewish person stating that their aim is to conquer the world, I state the following: I utterly detest any and all extremism and I disapprove of it completely, and this includes any Christian and/or Jewish extremism. Love to All. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• dingle999 | Apr 24, 2012, 12:25 AM EDT

  EamonnDublin So as an Irish man you support the Tea Party / let me guess you also thought Haughey was the greatest leader Ireland ever had ? And you wish Sarah Palin ran for President in the United States

• seanomelb | Apr 23, 2012, 08:15 PM EDT

  Eamonn I merely asked you to condemn Christian and Jewish extremism and your failure to do so can only lead one to believe you approve,all you have to say is "I do not approve of Christian or Jewish extremism" I do not hate any religion I just refuse to believe in god. You can follow any deity you like with my "blessing" after all that's what us humanists do.

• seanomelb | Apr 23, 2012, 01:46 PM EDT

  Apologies - I called Dingle999 "Georgie Porgy" by mistake. Should have been "Dingle 999 Gardaí. Call it if you see a terrorist. I'll leave it up to you to decide what he (or she!!) might look like. Hard to tell with some of them these days! Éamonn, Terenure, Dublin, Ireland.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 23, 2012, 12:18 PM EDT

  To "Dingle999". What is this? A bloody quiz programme? Actually, I live in Terenure. I have no idea what bus to take to the city centre, I haven't been on a bus for years. They have these new contraptions now, call them "cars", and I've had one for "more years than I care to remember" (with apologies to Harry Moore, late of Dawson Street). The sun is shining overhead as I write this, although we have had a few real heavy downpours earlier today (including hailstones). It was pretty miserable all morning. Dingle999, you say I am "not even Irish". Can you please explain to me why I might claim to be Irish if I am not Irish. What sort of nutter might do that, and why? Now, Georgie Porgy, can you tell me what number bus you get from the Tin Angel Restaurant on Mount Washington in Pittsburgh to the Three Rivers Stadium after getting off the "Duquesne Incline"? What, you don't live in Pittsburgh? But I thought you were a Steelers fan! No? Wrong Porgy? Small world! Éamonn, Terenure, Dublin, Ireland.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 23, 2012, 12:04 PM EDT

  To "GeorgeDillon". Hi George! "Wagon" is just a general derogatory term for a woman - as opposed to a man! Your interpretation is as good as any. Depends really how it's used; in my instance, to be honest, I was saying it a bit tongue in cheek - I'm sure Ciaradexy is a fine person but gets a bit carried away by the anonymity of the boards.

• dingle999 | Apr 23, 2012, 11:56 AM EDT

  Oh, I nearly forgot, I agree, The Breitbart (God rest his soul) website is an excellent one for those who wish to include it in making a proper examination of today's problems. _____ Breitbart was a slimeball.. You are not even Irish .. (You sound like a member of the Tea Party) What part of Dublin are you from ? Rathmines ? What number bus do you take to travel to the city center ?

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 23, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT

  ""Ciaradexy"! My God but you're some wagon!" EamonDublin, help us out with your Irish slang. What does "wagon" mean? A worthless, stupid female? Tell us so that we can judge if the term was fairly applied to ciaradex.

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 23, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT

  ciaardexy: "You need to be putting your voice across to the Irish public but be warned-if you are bad mouthing migrants to the irish public". You liar, over 70% of Irish people when polled call for tighter immigration controls. Irish people, unlike you, are not fools.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 23, 2012, 10:37 AM EDT

  "Dingle999" As I said to you earlier, I was not the first to mention Islamist extremism - I was asked a question and I answered it, and now people like you continue to portray me as saying something that I have not said. And, last time I looked, "Irish Central" is based in the USA - I am not talking about a threat to Ireland, but a threat to Western civilization as a whole. That particular threat is not only a "problem" to me, but a "problem" to everybody. Now, if you want to ignore that threat, carry on - but please do not have the audacity to tell me to go elsewhere with my "rants". Have you got sole rights on this site? I thought it was a discussion site - and my comments are not nearly as offensive as some of the Leftist/Liberal/Progressive garbage I read on it. Mind you, if people insisted on electing Obama into the White House, I suppose they have to justify their decision. My God, I just realised, you will have to clear the red mist out of your eyes now before you can begin to format your reply to something I haven't said. Really, you shouldn't bother, If I were you I should have a read of some of the threats to Western society - most of which are available on the web - and educate yourself to what is REALLY going on in the world. Then, have a little think about, say, Iran. Yemen? Somalia? Nigeria? Saudi Arabia? 9/11? Lockerbie? The London Tube bombings? The Parisian bombings? Love to All - including those who intentionally twist my words in order to give a response to what suits their particular agenda. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland. Oh, I nearly forgot, I agree, The Breitbart (God rest his soul) website is an excellent one for those who wish to include it in making a proper examination of today's problems.

• dingle999 | Apr 23, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT

  All I ask is that migrants do not aim to change the laws of their host country in order to suit their own culture, and use terror to achieve that aim. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland. ___________ Has that happened in Ireland. The answer is NO

• dingle999 | Apr 23, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT

  EamonnDublin .. Nothing personal but you seem to have problems.. please go elsewhere with your rants i.e The Breitbart website. As stated already Islamic extremism has nothing to do with the article

• EamonnDublin | Apr 23, 2012, 02:20 AM EDT

  Seanomelb, I am not obsessed with Islamist extremism. I was asked a question and I answered it. Than, some people took exception to my answer by twisting what I had said to suit what they wanted to take exception to - you were the main one. However, I DO think you are obsessed by your hatred of Christianity. As for my use of capitals "demeaning" me - I use capitals to EMPHASIZE, not to "shout". Your lasst point, insinuating that I am probably an extremist Christian or Jew is an indication of your sad obsession. I despise extremism in ALL its forms - and I defend my right to stand up against it. Love to all. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• seanomelb | Apr 22, 2012, 09:11 PM EDT

  I agree that their is Muslim extremist and they promote Sharia law I am glad I'm not obsessed with them.Shouting in capitals does not enhance your argument in fact it demeans you.Christian missionaries go around the world waving their bibles and promising food for God.Be careful of that high moral ground on which you stand it may give.BTW you did not condemn the extremist Christians or Jews in our midst one can only presume you at one with them.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 22, 2012, 08:10 PM EDT

  Ciaradexy, I am NOT "bad-mouthing migrants". I have no problem with migrants. I was one in England myself for 21 years. All I ask is that migrants do not aim to change the laws of their host country in order to suit their own culture, and use terror to achieve that aim. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• ciaradexy | Apr 22, 2012, 06:38 PM EDT

  Eamonn, youre using Hitler as an example of what happens if we ignore things? i think Hitler is an example of racial and ethnic intolerance. Theres no point airing your grievances on this site as its mainly yanks on here. You need to be putting your voice across to the Irish public but be warned-if you are bad mouthing migrants to the irish public, many of them will have family who are migrants in other countries and they will not like the double standards. The crowd on here arent gonna be of any use to you as theyre the result of migration. You should also remember that it was a white European 'christian' who murdered a load of kids in Norway last year in the name of racial purity.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 22, 2012, 06:13 PM EDT

  Hi Ciaradexy, Thank you for your comments. I think I may have misjudged you somewhat. I rarely write to newspapers - nor do I post much, apart from lately to "Irish Central" because it grabbed my attention as a neat newspaper. I DID stand for election, in a by-election and in a general election in the mid-nineties, as an Independent, anti-crime. Approximately 7 out of ten people with whom I spoke told me that it was not crime that bothered them, but immigration. Now, if they were saying that to me, you can be sure they were saying it to all the party politicians also - but you never hear the party politicians mention it. The reason? Well, as I have said earlier, one is called a racist if one wishes to open a debate. I contact journalists on a regular basis about Islamist extremism/Jihad, but it appears to be a pretty hot nettle for them to grasp. Fear? Apathy? Left wing liberal bias? Possibly a mixture of all three. The sad result may well be that, if we treat Islamist extremism like we treated the mid to late 1930s Hitler, we will at some stage have to fight hard to retain our Western culture - and, with all its faults, Western culture is a far nicer way to live than under Shari'a Law. Good, well thought out policies, I hear you say? Well, all I ask is that Ireland (and the rest of Western civilization) tells those who wish to change our laws to suit their cultural wishes, that in Ireland we have one law - Irish law, and if they wish to live here then they obey Irish law, period. Be good, Love, Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• ciaradexy | Apr 22, 2012, 04:48 PM EDT

  Eamonn, I might even give you a vote if i thought you were making sensible decisions and implementing good well thought out policies.

• ciaradexy | Apr 22, 2012, 04:46 PM EDT

  You contact the media?! Thats AMAZING! Youre a true maverick! Hows about posting on FG/Labours facebook pages where the public can actually read your posts or putting yourself forward as an anti-immigration candidate? Sending emails to newspapers is just bolloxology! I have no issue with politicans speaking their mind and i also had no issue with that politican in Naas speaking his mind about Nigerians, what i take issue with is someone just writing letters to papers! They publish exactly what they want to publish. Why not post on websites and forums such as thejournal where your post WILL be published and people WILL debate the issues with you? If people are anti-immigration then thats entirely up to them,but Id rather hear and read and Irish persons opinion on Irish issues rather than a Yanks 2 cents worth when it doesnt have any bearing on them anyway. Get onto the journal, post under your real name with a pic of you if you feel so strongly about these issues. I would 100% respect that regardless of whether I agreed with you or not.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 22, 2012, 04:17 PM EDT

  "Ciaradexy"! My God but you're some wagon! I DO try to alert the Irish people to what is going on with regard to Shari'a Law. I contact the media here in Ireland regularly. Their reaction? Total and utter disinterest! I stress it to our politicians. Their reaction? Am I a racist? And all the time, all I am trying to do is ask the people to LISTEN to what Islamist extremists are saying they are going to do. And they ARE doing it. The problem is, people like YOU take absolutely no notice! For the record, I am NOT "anti-Muslim" - but I certainly AM anti-those people who tell us what they are going to do with us, and I totally defend my right to speak out against them. Otherwise, I would be a wimp, the same as the Irish media. Now, Love to All - except those who profess to be the enemy of Western civilization. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• ciaradexy | Apr 22, 2012, 03:52 PM EDT

  I love how people on here waffle on about sharia law or migration or whatever and yet they do nothing about it. If they really felt like either was a threat to ireland then why arent they out there in the public eye making people aware of it? Well because 1 is a yank and what happens here is nothing to do with him and the rest just sh1te on, giving out and moaning, venting on a forum yet do nothing about it.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 22, 2012, 01:30 PM EDT

  Hi "Stevenstar"! I may have misunderstood the tenor of your post addressed to me. I now note that your query is based on the time of my previous post - 09.59pm EDT. Come on man, that's only 3.00 o'clock in the morning! Am I not allowed to be alive at that time? Seriously, if you have a glance at my other posts, you will see that they are at more "normal" daytime/evening hours in Ireland. As a matter of interest, why in God's name would I want to say I lived in Dublin if that were not the case? Is there something I'm missing? All the best, Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 22, 2012, 11:53 AM EDT

  "StevenStar". yes, 100% Irish, very proud of it and live in Dublin. As for your "Report Abuse" - all I have done is quote what you are told daily by ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS. Get it now? I am simply REPEATING what THEY are telling YOU. Their latest threat is that if the British deport Abu Qatada they will bomb England. Do you want to report THAT - or do you just want to carry on ignoring it? Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• STEVENSTAR | Apr 22, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT

  @@@ Report abuse EamonnDublin | Apr 21, 2012, 09:59 PM EDT >>>>>>>>>> ARE YOU SURE YOUR IRISH AND YOU LIVE IN IRELAND MATE?? ..... just wondering thats all..

• EamonnDublin | Apr 22, 2012, 11:32 AM EDT

  Hi "Seanomelb" and "Dingle999"! Firstly, to Seanomelb - can you tell me exactly which part of "WE WILL CONQUER WESTERN CIVILIZATION AND SUBJECT YOU ALL TO SHARI'A LAW" that you do not understand? Secondly, to "Dingle999" - my initial reference to Shari'a Law in this thread was in response to a comment to me. When you yourself hold a conversation, do you just stick to the same topic for hours on end, or does it turn off in various directions? To BOTH of you - all I have done is to repeat what is being said regularly by Islamist extremists: if you want to ignore it, and blame ME for highlighting the threat, that is your problem - or, more importantly, your grandchildren's problem. As for Shari'a Law not being an issue in Ireland, they already have Shari'a courts functioning in England, so it won't be long now ......! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• dingle999 | Apr 22, 2012, 07:15 AM EDT

  Hmm EamonnDublin Shari'a Law is NOT an issue in Ireland and has nothing to do with the article... so can you kindly take your waffle elsewhere

• seanomelb | Apr 22, 2012, 05:55 AM EDT

  Eamonn maybe you should demonise the Christian or Jewish extremist as well as the Muslim extremist to balance your one-sided petty post (yes there are Muslim extremists)After living in Muslim countries I found that most of them couldn't give a toss about you and what beliefs you follow.Their needs are the same as ours quality of life,You know!! a roof over their heads and a good standard of living.Some Muslims are certainly bitter because of the hand they have been dealt a lousy hand by western induced wars,oppression and interference in their national affairs.We should mind our own business Maybe you should change your hymn book and broaden your horizons if that's possible,instead of cowering and looking under the bed each night looking for a nasty looking bearded character in a turban.

• JHShanahan | Apr 22, 2012, 05:28 AM EDT

  Gerry Cagney's article is both honest and terribly sad. I know Gerry (our families come from the same parish) and I've seen the wonderful job he did building the new house in Castletown, Co. Limerick. I remember walking through the house with Gerry and his late (and much missed) dad, Willie, just after he finished it. But as an American living in Ireland myself, I can understand the challenges he and his family faced. I moved to Ireland a year after Gerry did -- but our circumstances are different. I brought my American retirement package with me. Gerry has a young family and needs to have steady employment to support them. In that regard, America really is the land of opportunity. Gerry's appointment book will be filled up with his landscaping jobs in New Jersey and no one will begrudge him work ethic or his success. So here's to you, Gerry, for giving it a good try. All the best.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 21, 2012, 09:59 PM EDT

  As one of my posts below was erroneously attributed to "Ciaradexy", I am copying it to here: "Timbobdennehy", Nice post, but I'm sorry you see one of my observations as an "anti-Shari'a Law rant". I was picked up on my "enemy of Western civilization" comment and I explained that that enemy is those who tell us on a daily basis that they are "going to conquer Western civilization and subject us all to Shari'a Law". If you are happy with Shari'a Law, I feel very sad. As for Mr. Cagney's article, my initial post on the subject was quite neutral - good and bad in every community, etc. "Irishcop025", you will see from one of my posts that I am Irish and that I LOVE the USA. I also LOVE Ireland and I love living in Ireland. I would just as easily love living in the USA. I can't for the life of me see how people can be so racially abusive to others on these boards, between two friendly countries who have a lot in common. Is it that some of us are possibly insecure, or that the anonymity allows them to be "bullies" without having to stand over what they have said - and disappear into the ether. Come on guys and gals, why do you all have to be so bloody NASTY? God Bless the United States of America. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 21, 2012, 09:40 PM EDT

  "Seanomelb", the people pushing the Shari'a Law "debate" are the people who repeatedly tell us that they are going to rule the world with it. Please just open up your ears to what THEY say (not me!!). And by the way, I have just had a look at your posts across the board - you REALLY are such a NASTY piece of work. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland. P.S. The post listed under the name "Ciaradexy" on 21st April at o6.58pm is from ME. I don't know how her name got on the header. That is the reason I always sign off at the bottom, for clarity. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• seanomelb | Apr 21, 2012, 08:28 PM EDT

  Eamonn The only people pushing the Sharia law debate are those instilling fear and loathing of Islam and your narrow mind has swallowed the bait along with your ventriloquist's dummy Briano

• ciaradexy | Apr 21, 2012, 06:59 PM EDT

  Jmc, please dont come here. We have sex and drugs too and youre gonna be as much of an immigrant here as the people you complain about there. The irish healthcare system was voted 19th best in the world. The American one doesnt even register!

• ciaradexy | Apr 21, 2012, 06:58 PM EDT

  "Timbobdennehy", Nice post, but I'm sorry you see one of my observations as an "anti-Shari'a Law rant". I was picked up on my "enemy of Western civilization" comment and I explained that that enemy is those who tell us on a daily basis that they are "going to conquer Western civilization and subject us all to Shari'a Law". If you are happy with Shari'a Law, I feel very sad. As for Mr. Cagney's article, my initial post on the subject was quite neutral - good and bad in every community, etc. "Irishcop025", you will see from one of my posts that I am Irish and that I LOVE the USA. I also LOVE Ireland and I love living in Ireland. I would just as easily love living in the USA. I can't for the life of me see how people can be so racially abusive to others on these boards, between two friendly countries who have a lot in common. Is it that some of us are possibly insecure, or that the anonymity allows them to be "bullies" without having to stand over what they have said - and disappear into the ether. Come on guys and gals, why do you all have to be so bloody NASTY? God Bless the United States of America. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• irishcop025 | Apr 21, 2012, 06:48 PM EDT

  Ciaran 1433 writes)Speaking with an American accent and traveling throughout the world on an American passport will almost certainly guarantee the opposite (i.e.) being looked at with scorn and being hated for the actions of your government from dropping atomic bombs in Japan to getting involved in subsequent numerous wars that you have no business being part of. Ciaran, Im quite proud of my accent. As far as dropping bombs on Japan, last time I checked they attacked the USA and were a psychotic enemy who fought to the death. Did you ever hear of the Bataan death march? Did you ever hear about the atrocities the Japanese committed in China in the 1930's when your own Eamonn deVelera was the head of the league of Nations? The Irish even let the Japs have their own delegation in Dublin during the war so they could keep close tabs on the Allies and Europe. It is estimated the US would have sustained 2 million casualties in an invasion of the Japanese mainland. God Bless Harry Truman

• irishcop025 | Apr 21, 2012, 06:12 PM EDT

  Great aricle! I applaud Mr. Cagney for writing it and for the Irish Voice to actually publish it. I have been going to Ireland since the 1960's and something I learned back then is that 1.-) The Irish people are a buch of jealous begrudgers who hate to see anyone doing well in life. 2.-) The only thing the Irish like about Americans is their money! Nothing else! That was taught to me by my immigrant Irish parents from their own experiences and from my own observations over the years. My late Dad who came here with my mother in the 1940's used to say that "If it wasn't for America they wouldn't have a pants on their arse in Ireland". My parents like many of that generation sent alot of money home to relatives. In many cases those relatives would not have had food on the table or clothes on their backs if it wasnt for that money. The enless parcels of clothing sent "Home" always falls to memory. It pains me to hear when the USA or especially Irsh Americans are bashed the the Irish. It seems many of them as in the case of my family have short memories.

• timbobdennehy | Apr 21, 2012, 04:29 PM EDT

  at G.Cagney of Closter,New Jersey,i didn't realize your story would turn into an anti sharia-law rant page. I'm sorry you didn't hit it off back here in your homeland of ireland,the fact is people are always jealous of other people achieving,and it's a hard place to get on in even if you never left,Especially people who have more than others,they hate seeing people catching up with them,like you maybe working hard and honestly,and earning a €100 a day is pretty good for laying slabs,i know you have the family.my clan are from limerick and county,i can't stand the small mindedness of people.they are not all bad,i am happy i was brought up just outside of Tipperary Town,and i was not borne from there but i earned a respect i suppose,i miss the place today as i am living in Tralee,co Kerry with my 2 dogs and cat and guinea pig.what i am trying to say is some nice people are here, who would still love to hear of your travels, and get to know you and your family,Please Don't beat us all with the same stick,TIMBOB.

• dingle999 | Apr 21, 2012, 03:57 PM EDT

  "I could write a book about our two years back in Ireland – the speed on the roads, not feeling safe in your own home if someone comes late at night, the health system, etc." Ahh I get it everything is perfect in America..no homeless in Washington etc

• EamonnDublin | Apr 21, 2012, 01:33 PM EDT

  Hi Ciaradexy! Have a nice day! I STAND WITH ISRAEL. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• ciaradexy | Apr 21, 2012, 12:58 PM EDT

  Israel, the 51st state followed by EamonnDublin, Eamonn,Dublin, Irelands little part of the world.

• ciaradexy | Apr 21, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT

  Protectors of Western Civilisation, EamonnDublin, Eamonn, Dublin, Ireland? Really? Israel is a made up state! If youre ok with that then maybe we should just allow the British to come back here and move you off your land so they can build. Serioulsy? Are you deluded? i felt safer in east Turkey than I ever did in parts of the US.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 21, 2012, 11:36 AM EDT

  Thank you, "BrianO" for answering "Seanomelb". I have no idea where he gets the "anti-Muslim and racist" bit from - apart from the fact that people with no answer to what I ACTUALLY said will always throw in the "anti Muslim, racist" shriek. I won't bother myself with answering good ol' Seanomelb - he obviously has issues which need sorting out. God Bless the United States of America (and Israel) protectors of Western civilization from the enemy. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• pilib04 | Apr 21, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT

  irishcoffeekid, i agree with your post and admit to losing every once in a while myself. however, it does seem that there are certain posters who spend all of their time attacking others. i really don't think they realize that no one takes them seriously, particularly those claiming to live in ireland.

• BrianO | Apr 21, 2012, 10:04 AM EDT

  Seano-The fear was of"people who tell us on a daily basis that they will conquer Western civilization and subject us to Sharia Law."- Are you pro Sharia law?- If so the women of Ireland have some adjustments to make.

• ciaradexy | Apr 21, 2012, 08:50 AM EDT

  Daisy, Id rather know there was an asteroid hurtling towards earth than one of the elusive weapons of mass destruction that we were made fearful of before we discovered that this was a made up concept by George Bush! Global warming is also a man made mess. Get real woman! Youre an idiot! Hopefully youll be the first pleb to move into space. Good luck out there.

• seanomelb | Apr 21, 2012, 08:30 AM EDT

  Eamonn you're a sad excuse for a Dublin Jackeen and now we find out you are anti Muslim and a racist to boot I'm surprised sirpeter was so lenient on you.Sirpeter I must take exception for you allowing the idiot George to escape out of the village please send him back,have you ever noticed how he drags his arms behind him when he walks. As for the A'wipe coffeekid he should take a walk though NY and keep his ears open the moron is typical of some migrants returning with a superior attitude without the intellect to match.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 21, 2012, 03:36 AM EDT

  "SirPeter": The "enemy" of Western civilization is that group of people who tell us on a daily basis that they will conquer Western civilization and subject us all to Shari'a Law. The sad thing is that it is people like you who assist them in their aim. Civilizations do not be defeated - they commit suicide by ignoring the enemy in their midst, and it is people like you who facilitate this suicide. God Bless the United States of America - protector of Western civilization from the enemy. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 21, 2012, 01:20 AM EDT

  I have reported the imbecile sirpeter's tirade for obscenity/vulgarity. Of course his swill also features more of the racism that is now his trademark. Why should decent people have to read this logorrhea?

• jmccarten | Apr 21, 2012, 12:29 AM EDT

  I am an American but obtained Irish citizenship so I could move to Ireland when I retire. Ever since the hippies of the Vietnam era took over American society this country has been on a steady decline. They run the country now. They have destroyed this country with their drugs, promiscuity, ghetto culture, filthy language, hedonism, and lack of education and values that mimic a lower class ghetto culture. They have destroyed this once great country and turned it into a place where I choose not to live. For example in my city 60% of the students do not finish high school in five years, and only 14% of those who attend college graduate. The rest of the country spends most of it's time playing video games, texting or watching television. The only good thing about America is it may rebound after these liberals are banished in the next election, then I might stay.

• sirpeter | Apr 20, 2012, 10:44 PM EDT

  EamonnDublin.You were doing well until you said~God bless the United States of America - protector of Western civilization from the enemy.What enemy?All the dead innocent men,women and kids that our protector of Western civilization killed over the last 50 years is it? Eastern civilization is second class is it?

• sirpeter | Apr 20, 2012, 10:33 PM EDT

  irishcoffeekid.Get a fu*king life.In seven years did the yanks take your brain? Quote" I just got back from 2 weeks at home and will say it has got shocking to me after 7 years away from home how bad the language is"Unquote. You!!! A person I payed to educate.You!! A person who made a choice to abandon my country.You!! Who wonder why we curse a lot when we see our government happy to see our children leave.You!!Who live among the most obnoxious,arrogant,stupid,egotistic,self-righteous,war mongering,murdering,trailer trash in the world have the audacity to point out a few swear words that are used among my people as some thing to look down upon.You left.Only the Irish still in Ireland get to criticize the way Irish people are.Unless you want a few more Irish fu*ks thrown into ya.Now fu*k off with your I'm so proud to work in America.Pity you were fu*k all good to Ireland.~Now are you going to say something or are you going to give us another lesson in behavior?

• daisy3 | Apr 20, 2012, 06:10 PM EDT

  ciaradexy Yes space research is the future for all mankind or do we wait for an asteroid strike, nuclear war, global warming, volcanic event? So we put 'all the money' into expanding the worlds's population and straining the planet's resources more...very clever. No Ireland is a drop in the ocean compared with the USA...get real.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 20, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT

  Well said, "IrishCoffeeKid"! Every word. Including the comment on the bad language, which is a big, big letdown - to say the least. I'm delighted you like it over in the States and I trust you and yours will continue to do so and prosper and live happily there. As you say, there's good and bad ...... everywhere. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• irishcoffeekid | Apr 20, 2012, 03:11 PM EDT

  Seems to me everyone on here has an opinion but too many aren't willing to accept the opinions of others and are content on blasting back at people for their view. There is good and bad on both sides of the pond, there are good and bad people on both sides of the pond. I just got back from 2 weeks at home and will say it has got shocking to me after 7 years away from home how bad the language is - teenagers cursing at each other over simple things so while i see good and bad from living here and going home, it doesnt take away from my pride in being true Irish, born and rared but also my pride in living and working in the USA. Every country has pros and cons and everyone is entitled to opinions - the personal attacks on here however are an embarrassment to those of you how go into attack mode every time someone has a new opinion. The only ones you let down are yourselves!

• EamonnDublin | Apr 20, 2012, 02:32 PM EDT

  Hi Folks! I don't want to become involved in a "which country is better" argument - and, by the way, I have always LOVED the good ol' USA. I emigrated from Dublin to England, with my parents, when I was 15 years old. I was very happy there, integrated totally with the English, married a girl who was born in England and returned with her to Ireland when our boy was 8 and our girl was 6 years of age. I had been 23 years in England. We have been back in Dublin now for 31 years and we LOVE IT. My wife would never return to England - nice though it is - and my two adult children could not be happier. I thank God every day for our decision to move here. I understand that not all people will have the same experience, but I just thought I would throw ours into the pot. God bless the United States of America - protector of Western civilization from the enemy. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• ciaradexy | Apr 20, 2012, 02:04 PM EDT

  Daisy, space research is the future for all mankind? Seriously? really? If all countries involved in space exploration and war put the money spent into helping the poor of THIS planet, then the entire world would be better off! No one won any wars either. Just look at the Gulf and Vietnam. Do you reckon there were any winners there either? Do you think the current wars in the world have any potential winners? For the record, Ireland is pretty high up there in scientific research so maybe have a look at that before you drop a comment in like that.

• daisy3 | Apr 20, 2012, 01:17 PM EDT

  ciaran1433 I have never been to the US but as for your comments about Ireland (3)annual leave is typically 21 days and even with bank holidays this does not make 5/6 weeks (6)you mention the 'corned beef and cabbage' view Americans have of Ireland...the Irish tourist board promotes such images(Bunratty castle style)and we as a nation are very grateful to receive the thousands of American visitors here each year spending their dollars(7)The 2011 census showed only 1.8% of the population speak Irish daily, which is less than Polish!(8) Many people here are totally absorbed in working or finding work to pay the bills and have less and less leisure time(9) As for Irish people being open minded and progressive, we don't allow abortion, divorce is very difficult to obtain, we are heavy consumers of alcohol, generally dislike immigration here and our national past time is begrudgery!(12) American's are unpopular for their blind support for Israel but what other nation could have won both world wars and saved Europe from tyranny? or the recent intervention in Yugoslavia where a modern genocide was taking place. Right now Ireland is an economic basket case and would be a lot worse if it were not for American multinational investment here. America was also heavily involved in the northern peace process. Internationally America leads the world in scientific and space research which is the future for all mankind.

• ciaradexy | Apr 20, 2012, 12:59 PM EDT

  Bythebay, that programme youre talking about was originally shown about 5 years ago. Things have changed since. You also said that the GAA is non inclusive. My nephew is in a gaelscoil in Lucan and many of his class mates who play hurling and football with him are black and Asian. I dont think you can get more inclusive than that.

• daisy3 | Apr 20, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT

  This story rings more of a family trying to exorcise their doubts of having left their birth place rather than following any real convictions to resettle. To quote '“Home” will never be the same as when you left it.'This is as much a well known fact anywhere as the fact that Ireland as an island jutting into the Atlantic has a high annual rainfall and barbeques are as rare as a sunny Irish day! As for finding work and socialising, Ireland is in a deep recession since 2008 with a 13.5% unemployment rate and expendable income is a decreasing resource for many. I hate to say it but 'I could have told you so!'. They seem to have settled into a fortress syndrome and expected the locals to approach them on their terms. Maybe they should have tried Australia or even Canada where many Irish are emigrating to right now.

• johnshiel | Apr 20, 2012, 10:35 AM EDT

  jamieLM - your comments are consistently good hearted and wise, and welcome in my view. thanks for posting; same to numerous others with similar flavor to their contributions.

• jamieLM | Apr 20, 2012, 09:11 AM EDT

  I don't understand why everyone has to be so defensive. If you're happy where you live, why should you care where anyone else chooses to live? @ciaran1433, I'm an American who enjoys living where I do. I don't care if you list 5000 reasons why it's better to live in Ireland. I wouldn't be happy living there and it has nothing to do with the U.S. being better than Ireland. It's because I identify with America and its culture, having been born and raised here. Good and bad, it's what I'm used to. It doesn't mean I don't recognize and appreciate all the good things that Ireland has to offer. We have different likes and dislikes, so why would all of us enjoy living in the same place?

• BrianO | Apr 20, 2012, 08:43 AM EDT

  All kidding aside, the world is so small now that whatever lifestyle you choose has benefits and rewards, risks and disappointments . Moving to a small town in Ireland probably will take a while to be accepted, moving to a small town in georgia will take a while to be accepted. in both cases you and your children will be known as the "yank" that lives in the old kelly house. Things are so similar in so many ways that it just makes me laugh. Didn't any of my fellow citizens of the 57 states watch Green Acres growing up?

• IrelandNorth | Apr 20, 2012, 08:14 AM EDT

  Question: When does an ULSTER UNIONIST/LOYALIST/PROTESTANT NORTHERN IRISH BRITON not consider himself BRITISH? When he's on an IRISH-AMERICAN website exploiting his secondary (?) IRISH identity to alienate IRISH-AMERICAN relations! STEVENSTAR/STÍOFÁNREÁLTOIR - TÍOCFAIDH AR LÁ! But Limerick isn't Ireland. And Ireland isn't Limerick. I regret Mr. Cagney's experience, but will refrain from calling him a dirty rat. Have a nice life!

• STEVENSTAR | Apr 20, 2012, 07:38 AM EDT

  @@@borefield | Apr 19, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT Stevenstar, you sound so shallow that it's no wonder you met shallow, pretentious people, you attract them. We are well rid of you. Each time I leave the USA to travel abroad I literally kiss the ground when I return. I Thank God that I had the good fortune of selecting this blessed country to live in. I do love Ireland, and England but there is no place like the good old USA>>>>>>>>>>>> YOUR AMERICAN ARROGANCE AMUSES ME..

• STEVENSTAR | Apr 20, 2012, 07:33 AM EDT

  TG4 ? IS A RUBBISH CHANNEL MOST PEOPLE IN IRELAND WATCH THE BBC AND ITV CHANNELS NOT IRISH CHANNELS .. THEY ONLY REASON THEY SURVIVE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SUBSIDISED BY THE LICENCE FEE !!!

• esatdigiwank | Apr 20, 2012, 05:52 AM EDT

  BytheBy, I have only ever lived in one house which was dry and properly insulated out of the 10 plus houses I have rented/lived in, in my lifetime . Those 60 yr old houses built of cavity (breeze!) blocks with no insulating matter in the cavities, just an adornment of plaster inside and out are a moldy lethal trap! >>> Johhnyb: you're forgetting that English is the language of trade and commerce here.>>> Ciaran1433 "Watching international news, reading about events in other parts of the world, reading and watching news stories that are fair and balanced in their reporting." Surely you don't speak of the state-controlled rte news bulletins and their tedious, suffocating upper-middle class, insular view of things. Incredulous.

• johhnyb | Apr 20, 2012, 05:31 AM EDT

  TG4 is a great channel. Just one query - why are the adverts in English?

• BrianO | Apr 19, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT

  yes comrade we must all do what you say, ciaran1433.

• ciaran1433 | Apr 19, 2012, 10:19 PM EDT

  Reason 13 to move home to Ireland - feeling like you are part of the rest of the world. Watching international news, reading about events in other parts of the world, reading and watching news stories that are fair and balanced in their reporting. Meanwhile if you decide to stay in the U.S. you'll only get domestic American news coverage because the rest of the word doesn't matter to Americans. Then the news you do get to hear or read about will be so slanted that eventually you'll either stop tuning in or or you'll begin to think like a typical American and become brainwashed to believe such utter rubbish. The spineless American media don't have the courage to report real news because they allow themselves to be bought and cover only those stories that suits the agenda of their fat cat bosses.

• ciaran1433 | Apr 19, 2012, 10:08 PM EDT

  Reason 12 to move home to Ireland - being able to travel throughout the world with an Irish accent and an Irish passport will almost certainly guarantee respect by everyone you encounter. Speaking with an American accent and traveling throughout the world on an American passport will almost certainly guarantee the opposite (i.e.) being looked at with scorn and being hated for the actions of your government from dropping atomic bombs in Japan to getting involved in subsequent numerous wars that you have no business being part of.

• ciaran1433 | Apr 19, 2012, 09:58 PM EDT

  Reasons 11 to move home to Ireland (11) Playing or being part of the GAA, the indigenous Irish, amateur sport that builds a sense of community and is part of the fabric that keeps Irish society together versus watching overpaid, fat grown men playing American"football" as they run around padded like astronauts yet they still manage to cause brain damage to each with so called tackles. A joke sport in comparison to a real sport that instils respect and camaraderie to all who get involved.

• lee01702 | Apr 19, 2012, 06:59 PM EDT

  My comment isn't about moving, just about differing perceptions of me as an American on both of my trips to Ireland. When I was in my early 30s, I traveled there by myself. As a lone, female American tourist, I was treated abysmally - esp. by other women! I can only assume that they thought I was a "rich Yank" (which I was not), and/or I was out to steal their men (wrong there also). I simply wanted to travel, and none of my girlfriends did! So I saved and saved, and went on my own. I was treated so nastily that I vowed never to return. Last summer, I finally did agree to go back with my husband and young daughter. Now I was suddenly "socially acceptable" with a family in tow, and was treated nicely everywhere we went. It was very odd. Can someone please explain what happened here? PS - I would return now without reservation, because I had such a great experience the second time.

• seanomelb | Apr 19, 2012, 06:37 PM EDT

  Moving back to Ireland in a depressed economy is an error in judgment(unless you have an income other than work related). The person made a mistake and then blames the weather "not feeling safe" and other lame excuses. I feel the person is just a whiner and cannot say "I stuffed up" and put the blame at least where it partially belongs with him or her self.

• BrianO | Apr 19, 2012, 06:18 PM EDT

  ciarran 143, proud bastardized American here, I'm a mutt not pure bred like you, I presume. Corned beef and cababge is an American Irish thing, a tradition born of poor hard working immigrants and the mix of cultures in America. We Americans can speak several languages, I speak Boston, newyork, texan, north carolina, I even know a little Donegal and some cork you Langer.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 05:40 PM EDT

  I saw the programme called Sceal Na Gaeilge which told the entire story of the language including its revival in the late 20th-early 21st century too.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 05:35 PM EDT

  I never claimed it was a majority language but its a part of Irish culture that I happen to love. I spend most of my weekends in the gaeltacht. You know that its an actual area not just a few houses where kids spend their summers? I have family in Spiddal and they use the language every single day. I studied it in Donegal and after 2 months there I went from ordinary level Irish to honours level for the leaving cert. so its not even nearly remedial Irish, its taught there as a living language which is intrinsic to our culture. I learned more of the language during my summers spent in Donegal than I ever did in school. You may not be interested in it but plenty are.

• aloistmartin | Apr 19, 2012, 05:34 PM EDT

  As Catholics Wee are all wary of the Short End of Archibald Cunningham`s Stick; and are Thus, Citizens of The N. Irish Captivity .... Whether tis` " Practical ", or Not @?

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT

  Bythebay, if you have no interest in the irish language then thats your preogative but some of us still love it, use it regularly, chose to holiday in the gaeltacht and are members of irish language clubs and associations. Thats our perogative. Irish people study Italian, it doesnt mean theyre ever going to live there or use it.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 05:03 PM EDT

  Ciaran, in fairness, our vote doesnt count for much because Labour & FG have done a U-turn on everything they promised us! Next time we'll get 'em!

• PattyM | Apr 19, 2012, 05:01 PM EDT

  I'm sorry Mr. Cagney regretted his move "back home" & not being able to live as he had hoped. But I feel he did not do his homework before making the decisionto move. 1) live in the present. I think he wanted Ireland to be as it was during his childhood. Not possible in the real world, I would think. 2) the weather. Did he really expect the weather in Ireland to have changed so much during his absence? Unless the country had somehow been moved to different coordinates, the weather wouldn't have changed very much. 3) impact of weather on his child's asthma. Did he check with the child's doctor to determine what ill effects the cool/rainy weather might have on the child's condition? and 4) had he not been paying attention to TV/newspapers/internet re the economic conditions in Ireland? This was one time where wishing it did not make it so. I wish the Cagney family all the best wherever they may reside.

• ciaran1433 | Apr 19, 2012, 05:00 PM EDT

  Other top reasons to move home to Ireland (6) Ireland has its own rich, unique and historic culture vs the U.S. which has a bastardized version of the culture from many other countries and even this is a joke to anyone who knows better. When people from other countries including Ireland come to visit the U.S. they laugh at what Americans perceive to be Irish culture. Corned beef and cabbage indeed... (7) The Irish language is undergoing a huge renaissance in Ireland therefore children being educated there have the opportunity to become bilingual. American's on the other hand have no interest in speaking other languages and will remain the laughing stock of the world with their monolingual culture. (8) Life in the U.S. is a rat race. American's typically don't know what its like to have a life outside of their job. In fact life in the U.S. revolves around work. In Ireland people work to live not live to work as is the case the ridiculous U.S. Quality of life is so much superior in Ireland vs the U.S. (9) The backwardness of people in the U.S. knows no bounds with their anti-gay messages, "nuke him" mentality when it comes to foreign policy and no gun control laws of substance. Irish people are much more open minded and progressive versus the typical American. (10) At election time in Ireland your vote actually counts for something versus the farce that is "American democracy" with the 2 party and electoral college system.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 05:00 PM EDT

  I have never denied a recession!

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:59 PM EDT

  Steven, you have been to some huge cities in the US. The ones where all the irish migrants congregate. Those cities are no more indicative of America than Limerick is of Italy! The US is massive as is Europe. I hear irish people say they are going to the states which is as ridiculous as an American saying theyre going to Europe. Neither ever sees the entire continent nor meets the people.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:51 PM EDT

  Bythebay, I understand now. Youre some sort of special case. Do you refer to yourself in the third person too? Do you blame 'Us Irish' for the recession too? If youre not part of the solution then youre part of the problem. Borefield, I enjoy my travels to the US and England too along with the rest of the world but in my opinion, theres no place like home either and thats Ireland.

• McNamara31 | Apr 19, 2012, 04:46 PM EDT

  STEVENSTAR..Do you think you could lay off the "caps". In posting, it's the same as yelling at someone.

• borefield | Apr 19, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT

  Stevenstar, you sound so shallow that it's no wonder you met shallow, pretentious people, you attract them. We are well rid of you. Each time I leave the USA to travel abroad I literally kiss the ground when I return. I Thank God that I had the good fortune of selecting this blessed country to live in. I do love Ireland, and England but there is no place like the good old USA.

• BrianO | Apr 19, 2012, 04:44 PM EDT

  Martha's vineyard is different than cape cod, though if you are tying up your yacht Martha's vineyard is nice, you can rub elbows with the Obamas, the Clintons, maybe alan dershowitz, or madona. Thats during the summer months of course, during the winter it returns to the locals.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:38 PM EDT

  FFS! First Im told my message wasnt sent so i write another and now both are up! Whats going on IC?

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:35 PM EDT

  I'll believe the girl I work with and the TG4 programme instead thanks. The only reason i dont believe that you live here is because you refer to us as 'The Irish' and not 'We irish' or 'Us irish' which would be more correct if in fact you were here instead of trying to distance yourself from your own country men and women.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:33 PM EDT

  I'll believe the girl I work with and the TG4 programme instead. The only reason i dont believe that you live in ireland is becuase you refer to us as 'The Irish' and not 'We irish' or 'Us irish' which would be correct if you did live here.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:16 PM EDT

  Lads, every single country has its good and bad points. 'Home' is where you feel happiest and relaxed.

• STEVENSTAR | Apr 19, 2012, 04:13 PM EDT

  SO WHAT ?? YOU WONT BE MISSED.. I MOVED TO ILLINOIS IN 2009 NEAR PEORIA ,,, I LIVED THERE FOR A YEAR AND COULDNT GET OUT OF THERE QUICK ENUGH... I HATED THE PEOPLE WHOM I FOUND VERY TWO FACED EVERYONE WAS FAT AND DRESSED TERRIBLY, THE FOOD WAS HORRIBLE EVERYTHING IS GENETICALLY MODIFIED, NO TOWN CENTERS OR LITTLE VILLAGES WITH COMMUNITIES ETC AND I FOUND THE WHOLE CULTURE SHOCK VERY SOULESS AND EMPTY.. THE TV IS CRAP AND BORING THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH JUDGE JUDY AND JERRY SPRINGER AND DRAMATIC NEWS U CAN PUT UP WITH IN A DAY, THANK GOD FOR BBC AMERICA THE WEATHER WAS DREADFUL IN WINTER NEVER SEEN SNOW OR COLD LIKE IT WITH ICE STORMS, THE SUMMERS WERE TOO HOT AND THE BUGS WERE EVERYWHERE..APART FROM WORK THERE WAS NEVER ANYTHING TO DO BUT EAT SHOP GOTO THE CINEMA OR THE RIVERBOAT (WHICH IS FULL OF SLOT MACHINES AND GAMBLING (NOT MY THING) WHEN U GET TO KNOW THE AMERICANS YOU WILL SOON REALISE NOT MANY OF THEM HAVE EVEN BEEN OUTSIDE OF AMERICA AND KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD.. EVERYONE LOVES THE IRISH BUT IT GETS A BIT ANNOYING AFTER 12 MONTHS OF OH GOD I LOVE YOUR ACCENT... IM SO GLAD TO BE BACK IN IRELAND AGAIN AND I WILL NEVER FORGET MY YEAR IN THE STATES.. OK I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN NEW YORK (YOU SEEN IT ONCE IS ENOUGH.. CHICAGO GREAT CITY BUT WOULDNT LIVE THERE TOO COLD IN WINTER.. CALIFORNIAN GREAT CLIMATE WEATHER LIFESTYLE BUT PEOPLE ARE TOO SHALLOW ITS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK, WHERE U LIVE AND HOW MUCH U EARN .... SO PLEASE GIVE ME IRELAND AND EUROPE ANY DAY ...

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:11 PM EDT

  And again, you dont live here anymore so how would you know what the feeling is? I spoke to a girl in work about this very subject today as there was a programme on TG4 about it at the weekend showing the procession so I know whats happening there too as a resident told me.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT

  Bythebay, the people of Addergoogle have held a candle lit procession through the town on the anniversary of the Titanic for the past 100 years! I work with a girl from there and she told me that they have been remembered since the 11 young people died! Youre now refering to people in Ireland. So you're a migrant? Youre not even in the country to try help things get back on track so you b1tch about us from a distance? Thats very helpful! fair play to you.

• peterson | Apr 19, 2012, 03:51 PM EDT

  I hear this same story from many people. My advise -- nothing stays the same. It is better to rent a place to see how things go which can save you a lot of grief.

• Nicoletta | Apr 19, 2012, 03:49 PM EDT

  At an aunt's funeral I met a couple who had returned from living many years in London to settle back home and retire in Ireland. They told me it was the biggest mistake they have ever made but sadly couldn't afford to go back.

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 19, 2012, 03:46 PM EDT

  Bythebay:"I did not post the message below of April 19, 2012 at 3:ll PM EDT" That was ciaradexy, she's on automatic.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 03:45 PM EDT

  Bythebay, georgina there is a holidayer so my post was meant for him. And yes Dildo, i know my history. The irish republic isnt even 100 years old so we ARE a relatively young country and I have an international drivers license. Ive driven in malaysia, the US, all over Europe and Australia on it so Im well aware of the requirement thanks for showing some interest though.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 03:11 PM EDT

  Tayandcake floating ball that is dying, c'mon, lighten up. Baythebay besides the hamptons and martha's vineyard, try some of the more realistic spots, coney island,cape cod, nantasket beach, old orchard beach. I can't wait for the scorching weather to get here and go body surfing in the Atlantic. As to the article, it was an interesting take, not having emigrated from Ireland I'll read and learn

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 19, 2012, 03:01 PM EDT

  ciadexy:"If you want to drive outside the US, get an international license like plenty others do." Wrong again, you imbecile. Don't you know anything about driver license requirements?

• irishcoffeekid | Apr 19, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT

  I dont get the defensive mode some of you get on when you come on here. The guy is entitled to his opinion - yes we all know the weather in ireland sucks compared to the USA -the point he's making is its hard to get used to it again when youve lived here in the USA and then go back home for an extended time and the impact it had on his kids. Why you all get so high and mighty and defensive defies logic - it shows a lacking and a lack of willingness to hear others opinions. He made a good decision for his family - he's sharing his experience - give the guy a break - dont jump on your bandwagons about it!!!

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 19, 2012, 02:59 PM EDT

  Ciaradey: "we are a relatively new country". At this stage just about every post you offer appears to come from an imbecile. Ireland, a relatively new country? Do you know no Irish history?

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 02:54 PM EDT

  Cillowen, Limerick has issues with about 30 people who are members of gangs and are from a couple of familes. They do not represent the rest of the city or county no more than that nurse who shot a woman and took her baby does American nurses.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 02:38 PM EDT

  Cagney, you knew what weather you were coming back to, dont act like that was a shock. just because you werent a success here or fawned over doesnt mean this is a bad place. I happen to love Ireland, the people, the weather (to a point!), the social scene, the proximity to major european cities, the fact that Irish people tend to travel and have experienced the world outside Ireland. The quality of our food is excellent, we have fantastic restaurants, our pubs are world famous and you will never find an atmosphere as welcoming as in an Irish pub. I love travelling and experiencing other countries and meeting people from all over the world but this is home and always will be. yeah our government are idiots but as has been said here before, we are a relatively new country. The US had slavery for a hell of a lot longer than we have a slightly messed up country. We may not be exactly flush at the mo but neither is the US. Our money is going to European bankers but yours is going to killing people in wars all over the world while your own people go hungry too so just remember that there is no such place as the promised land on this planet, only what you make of your own little community.

• ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 02:32 PM EDT

  George, youre really boring me with your conspiracy theories. If you want to drive outside the US, get an international license like plenty others do. it costs about €10.

• TayandCake | Apr 19, 2012, 02:12 PM EDT

  I live in this place you humans call Ireland and Ireland is such an easy target for complains, irish americans and local irish complaining about the place needlessly to shut out the bad decisions they made in life and blame THE WEATHER, WTF,people say Ireland is green well maybe the rain has something to do with it but don't quote me. we live on a big ball floating through space and the ball itself is dying, joy is what you make of it at this stage. If you learn to stop seeing countries and flags and religions and all this luggage and start seeing and feeling the joy of being a living thing here and now and not worrying about what the brochure said then things will be grand. Beautiful roses grow from manure

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 19, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT

  bear022013 "The USA is the worst place on earth". Ciaradexy, why are you posting under a new ID?

• GeorgeDillon | Apr 19, 2012, 01:03 PM EDT

  This is a good article by Cagney,, and he makes a lot of sense. There is no doubt but that Ireland makes no effort to accept back its citizens who have emigrated. I knew a guy who had probably driven a half million miles here, but was forced to do a drivers test when he went back. Remember that Latvians, Poles etc are not forced to do any test, even tho they get involved in countless accidents and are notorious drunks. This is going to get worse, as the Irish are trying to force everyone to pay for a dumb driver ed course--probably offered by some Fianna Fail gangsters.

• Curitiba | Apr 19, 2012, 12:56 PM EDT

  In emigrant circles, they call this "the cure". It's when you move abroad, get homesick or start reminiscing about where you come from, then go back and find out pretty quickly why it was you left in the first place. Sounds like Mr Cagney is now "cured" of any nostalgia. It can be a very expensive "cure", as he has found out the hard way.

• GaelMcC | Apr 19, 2012, 12:25 PM EDT

  Your experience is a common one when immigrants move "home". It can be a nightmare regardless of where "home" is. I am sorry for your experience but I am glad you are happy now. It says more about immigrating, demigrating (yes I made that word up) and re-immigrating than it does Ireland.

• badolan | Apr 19, 2012, 12:16 PM EDT

  I've been to Ireland twice. It has changed considerably between the two trips. One trip was in 2002 and the other in 2009. Americans are definitely negatively viewed by the Irish. Our group was all older adults who are low key and polite. We all felt like the folks in Ireland were very rude and very consistently so. They only wanted our money. Ireland is a beautiful country. It's a shame how things have gone downhill there.

• Murph46 | Apr 19, 2012, 12:16 PM EDT

  Dr T-You got a guilty conscience?

• RockNReel | Apr 19, 2012, 12:01 PM EDT

  I wonder what give bear022013 the right to critisise Mr Cagney and his honest and down to earth article about his awful experience on the Land of Saints and scholars --me arse !!. Every word he wrote is exactly as Ireland is today. Bear watches too much TV in my opinion --gangs of young blacks roaming the streets killing and maiming--probably seeking out good Catholics to kill I'd say as well ?? I too made the move from London where I lived for 18 years and regret it to this day. Ireland never moved forward from the priest ridden corrupt country it always was. Its only films like the Quiet Man and similar drivel that gave Americans the rose tinted view they still have of The emerald Isle. Its more dangerous to live in the west of Ireland right now than it is in any place in London Or New York--I have lived in both places. There will always be Holy Marys like Bear 022013 who never get out much and have hardly traveled further than the local shop so dont worry Mr Cagney-there are thousand who had the same ill fated experience as yourself but I wish you well and hope you got back on track. Its horrible when plans dont work out as you expect and by the sounds of your posting you gave it your best shot but as they say--only in Ireland !!

• bensi21 | Apr 19, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT

  A lot of people here mentioned all the bad things that are heppening in Ireland. What about the good things? Is there a perfect country? Why don't you mention all the bad things that USA have? Because if start to mention them I am gonna need to write several books.

• bensi21 | Apr 19, 2012, 11:51 AM EDT

  To G. Cagney >> if you don't have to say something good about a country, shut your damn mouth. And what's the damn attraction with USA? Do you want me to say all the attrocities that your beloved USA have committed against my country? I would never trade my little country for your "promise land".

• bridie cox | Apr 19, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT

  I moved back from England 2000. I hoped that it had changed from the way I remembered it! As a nurse I felt like I was travelling back in time. The Corruption , nepotism, cronyism, was still there.....the lack of openess and honesty and sweeping things under the carpet is still alive.The treatment and care of psychiatric patients was appalling. I complained and was told they were unfounded.....no! nothing has changed from when I was young!

• DrTrelawney | Apr 19, 2012, 11:43 AM EDT

  @Bythebay. I am well aware of the variations in climate in the US. But the author did say he lived in New Jersey, which is right next to New York, after all. @Murph. What do you know about my attitudes to the poor or anything else about me?

• edmundburke | Apr 19, 2012, 11:34 AM EDT

  "Moving back to Ireland" is a worthwhile subject to discuss. As the comments indicate, everyone's experience will vary, and Mr. Cagney's negative experience is no less valid than GalwayNYGirl's positive one. My Kerry grandfather, who came to the USA in 1916 at age 23, tried to bring his family back to Ireland in 1932 in the midst of the Depression. My grandmother, mother, and uncles all hated the experience, and grandfather was compelled to bring the family back to the US. His nephew however, after spending an entire career teaching in San Francisco, returned to Kerry with his American wife in the 1980s, and they lived there happily for the rest of their lives. Everyone's experience will vary. Both the US and Ireland will never remain static and will evolve and change over time -- nostalgic reminders of days past in both countries are no guide to life in either for the future. At the end of the day, a person is going to be either more "American" or more "Irish" in temperment, outlook, and personality, and that will govern which country is the best environment for their life and livelihood.

• roryobrien | Apr 19, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT

  Mr. Cagney, did you mot read Angela's Ashes before you set about building a patio and swings in Limerick...would have been a salutary lesson pal, nothing has changed expecept the level of arrogance

• Kells46 | Apr 19, 2012, 11:14 AM EDT

  Wonderful article Mr. Cagney and a carbon copy of my experience when I returned to Ireland from London with my husband, daughter and aging Mother. I had a beautiful house 15 miles utside Dublin on the Southside. I hated every moment, it was not the Ireland I grew up in. The people had changed and do not even start me on family. The latter as we knew it in Ireland is no more. Nobody cares. If we did not have people to our home for dinner, drinks etc., we would never see them as no invites came our way. Oh yes, the people are lovely when one is on vacation, but move back there and it is a whole different story. You did the right thing Mr. Cagney for your own sake, the sake of your wife and definitely for the sake of your children and their future lives. They would not thank you if you stayed in Ireland, my daughter hated every moment and was so unhappy. She was also picked upon for her British accent. We just had to get out and thank God we did. Since leaving I have been back once and that was to bury my dear Mom. I will never again return. I do not know where you live "Dr" Trelawney. If it is here in the US, you should pack your bags and leave. Ireland is definitely the place for your likes.

• Murph46 | Apr 19, 2012, 10:54 AM EDT

  Well old chap Dr Trelawney,I particularly like the Rangoon Racquet Club in June-July -And August and the High Hamptons in Sept. Quite nice sitting out with my Schweppes and Beefeaters,wondering how the poor are doing,pretty much like you!Tut Tut!

• DrTrelawney | Apr 19, 2012, 10:31 AM EDT

  It is worth picking up on Ciaran's point about the weather. I lived in New York for a year and found the climate abysmal. Yes Spring and Summer are bearable. But it's like Vladivostok in winter and Rangoon in summer. Appalling sub-zero snow storms at Christmas. Stinking humidity and baking heat from July to September. I presume it's much the same in Gerard's neighbouring New Jersey. Give me temperate Ireland any day.

• Harley Guy | Apr 19, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT

  "feel" the wind...dang spell check!!!

• johnymac60 | Apr 19, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT

  Mr. Cagney, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but some of it is down to your own unreasonable expectations. I've lived in both countries for a number of years, and had great experiences in each place. I've been unemployed in both, and picked myself up in both. I've met great folks in both and downright evil ones. Ironically, some of the worst types I've met were right in your U.S. neck of the woods, in Montclair New Jersey. I had a very bad experience there. The place was filthy and I was renting a bed sit for Dublin prices and then some. The people were casually rude, overtly aggressive, and took no pride in the ridiculously expensive neighbourhoods they lived in. My advice to you - if lifestyle and quality of living are your goals - get the hell out of NJ and move to Texas. I wish you all the best for the future - but comparing Ireland to New Jersey is ridiculous.

• Harley Guy | Apr 19, 2012, 10:27 AM EDT

  I moved to the USA in 1984, lived mostly in large mid-western cities and recently spent 4 months in Ireland. My brother and I were taking care of our parents things after their passing. I'm with the author, I could never live there again. The cost of things, the bitterness of the people, the quality of dining out has gone down the tubes with the recession, the slow pace that anything gets done at, the arrogance of the Gardai and their intrusive presence, people to afraid to even have a drink with you, just one? the crime, every where locked up tight, the little cars. And what's with limiting internet speeds and download limits (until recently when imagine went unlimited)? I get called the yank all the time over there, and everyone assumes I'm rich, not that it's any of their business. I think my return trip to Minnesota was the first time I was ever 4 hours early to the airport. I leave my house unlocked a lot and never worry about it, I'm 3 miles north of the "hood" and never have a problem. I seldom lock my car or remove the keys from it for that matter either. Try doing that in Dublin. I don't get stopped randomly driving my car and asked to blow into the bag at any hour of the day or night here. That happened on the Naas dual carrigeway at 9:00 in the morning one day... or the tax and insurance check points that have now turned into immigration and customs checkpoints checking "Your paperwork" and the color of your diesel... I would say to April to go to Ireland and leave all your stuff here in the States and try it for one year. You'll be glad you didn't ship it all over only to have to ship it back. Best of luck to you. Oh yeah one last thing, we ride motorcycles to fell the wind in our face and hair!!!! Helmet laws suck!!!

• BrendanDunphy | Apr 19, 2012, 10:24 AM EDT

  @GalwayNYGirl ... I admire your post. You are a breath of fresh air when it somes to "today's" Irish. You complimented Eire without resorting to vocalizing any distaste you "may or may not" have for America. Well done.

• ciaran1433 | Apr 19, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT

  Top 5 reasons why I completely agree with April Drew's decision to move back home to Ireland (1) Better public education system in Ireland and its almost free vs being pressurized to put your children in a private school in the U.S. with astronomical fees. (2) Being surrounded again by your family and childhood friends where family members can help out babysitting vs having superficial meaningless relationships with people in the U.S. who will disappear from your life as quickly as they entered it. (3) 5/6 weeks annual leave in Ireland with Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Helsinki all being potential weekend getaways vs working like a dog in the U.S. where worker's rights are continually being eroded in a race to the bottom (4) A cool temperate climate in Ireland where the temperature fluctuates between 30F and 75F all year round vs on the east cost of the U.S. being subjected to sweltering hot humid summers and frigid harsh Arctic like winters. (5) Having your children grow up in a progressive modern thinking European country vs having your children grow up in a backward, geographically isolated, gun crazy, war obsessed place that very soon will become irrelevant.

• LoyalCitizen | Apr 19, 2012, 10:14 AM EDT

  The story clearly says that he spent too much money, to quickly on things that they did not need patio etc...........As others here say. Take your time and get to find out a few things before you commit too much money on the wrong things.

• BrendanDunphy | Apr 19, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT

  Based on the mean-spirited, bigoted comments we so often see on this site from the Irish, (i.e., Ciaradexy, StevenStar, etc.), and perhaps to a lesser extent some of the Irish I've met face-to-face in Eire, I am certain that today's Irish are not the same friendly generation that we grew up knowing and admiring (granted, America is not the same country she once was either). Still proud of my mother's Ireland, but so, so ashamed of today's Ireland. G. Cagney, we're happy to have you back.

• Gray Ghost | Apr 19, 2012, 10:08 AM EDT

  Yes , the weather hasn't changed but it doesn't take long to forget just how crappy it is and how it crimps your activities

• GalwayNYGirl | Apr 19, 2012, 10:04 AM EDT

  I am so sorry that Mr.Gagney had such a negative experience while living in Ireland. We (me, husband and 2 kids) also moved back to Ireland in August of 2007 after living in the US for nearly 20 years. Our experience has been different. We love Ireland, we love the people, the local community, the GAA, the festivals, the silliness on TV, the Radio (I love morning radio - It puts you in a good mood for the day!) I love the fact that my girls can go to ballet, gymnastics or music lessons without having to worry if there is a BETTER ballet school - mainly because there is only one, so regardless of income or class my children have the same assess and opportunity. When we decided to move "home" we did have to come to terms with the fact that we would never be "rich" - Ireland has limitations and the recession and the Governemnt prove challenging on an ongoing basis - Work is limited and costs are high, we don't get away much and future planning stretches to next year at present! But overall we have no regrets about the move, the children are thriving, confident, free spirits proud of be American Irish...there is also so much FREE things to do, great parks, easy access to activities and adventures, so many things to do on the weekend we are spoiled for choice! I have no doubt my kids will return to the US as we did and perhaps live there and I am excited that they will have the chance to experience the wonders of the US. The weather is crap, no debate there, but when the sun shines even for a short time there is no where in the world like it! I wish Mr. Gagney every happiness in the US. April The initial few months will be challenging, paperwork is annoying and it takes time to accept the laid back attitude of service providers, but the pluses out weight the negatives Ps. Leave the electronics in the US not worth the hassle! Best MB

• celticsol | Apr 19, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT

  A friend of mine married a beautiful Irish Nurse & emigrated to Ireland during the Celtic Tiger times. He had a great job with a major American corporation but was let go when the jobs moved on. Every time my wife and I travel to Ireland we always make a point of hooking up with them for a day or two. He finally attained his Irish citizenship and was proudly showing me his certificate one time while we were visiting and he pointedly asked me if I was going to emigrate also. As a lot of my friends are Irish-American, we have all entertained the idea of doing the "Quiet Man" thing and returning to our roots. I had what we call in America a "Come to Jesus" moment and I told my friend..."No, I'm a Yank and even over in Ireland, I'd still be a Yank, and if you ask all of the people in your village, they would say that you are a Yank too"....

• jamieLM | Apr 19, 2012, 09:32 AM EDT

  If G Cagney is happier living in the U.S., good for him. That's his choice. April Drew may be happier returning to Ireland. No place is perfect. People are happiest and most content when they live in a place that meets their personal expectations, including the weather factor. This is just one person's experience and I don't view it as "the U.S. is a better place to live than Ireland." I'm sure there are millions of Irish who are happy living just where they do and wouldn't want to live anywhere else, especially in the U.S. I live in the Midwest and love it, but many other Americans would NOT want to live here, either. To each his own.

• DrTrelawney | Apr 19, 2012, 09:14 AM EDT

  But what surprises me about Mr Cagney's comments -- let's call him Gerard -- is that Limerick was no less of a dump 20 years ago. What did he expect?

• bogsidebunny | Apr 19, 2012, 08:31 AM EDT

  Dear G. Cagney, you are absolutely correct. America is the country of opportunity optomism and . Ireland is a country of gloom, doom and despair. After living several years in Sunny, warm North Carolina my family moved back to Ireland. What did Ireland have to offer that America didn't? 1) Hugely inflated prices. 2) Stealth taxes (23% on toothpaste for instance) that are hidden in the product's price. 3) Arrogant, begrudging and impolite people. In America almost everyone rushed to open doors for strangers. In Ireland everyone rushes to shove you out of the way as to get ahead. I miss the often used in America words like: Sir, Maam, Thank-you, Have a great/wonderful/nice day. In Ireland you might get a "howya" if you're lucky. 4) My children miss "free (unlike Ireland) primary and secondary education. Books supplied (loaned for the school year) by the school, no uniform costs, no "voluntary (HAH) fees". No school bus fees. 5) A variety of products and a wonderful atmosphere in the local Supermarkets that would make the finest Tesco/Super-Valu look like scenes from Dante's Inferno. Our local supermarket even had a free creche and free parking. 6) And finally, the weather. I won't expand on this subject. Anyone living in Ireland for any length of time knows about the weather. It's eternally CRAPPY!

• DrTrelawney | Apr 19, 2012, 08:13 AM EDT

  There are some reasonable point here. But complaining about the weather? Really? It hasn't got any worse in the past 20 years. In fact it's probably got better.