A Saint Patrick's Day message from Ireland: Thank you, America

i just want to say that the irish famine was a forced famine to wipe the irish people out...it was genocide....there were over 300 british soldiers at dublins docks protecting shipments of food that was being sent to england...no one ever talks about this but its completly true...do the research...the irish holocaust

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As an Irish girl I can say there are NO ordinary Irishman! As an American I can say your welcome with great pride in both my countries!

How very touching.

I too stumbled across this memorial whilst wandering around lower manhatten-it was the "green. green, grass of home" that caught my eye at first. I am a derry native now living in nj and I actually felt homesick when I walked around it and by the way, its also featured in the movie" ps. i love you"-starring hillary swank and gerard butler. highly recommend a visit!

Here is my own thank you, to you, Mr. Fitzgerald, for taking the time to express your thoughts about my country and those who live here. As an American, it is disheartening to hear the comments so many make about us, but every now and then...I read something like this..so thank YOU. And as a New York Irish-American..thanks for letting me know about the famine memorial in Manhattan, I didn't even know about it, but will be sure to go there this spring!

My mother came as a servant girl and my father came as a laborer in the mines of Pennsylvania and the tunnels of New York and they taught us to love the United States and respect our Irish heritage.

Yes, and from all of us displaced Irishmen in America, Thank You for the inspirations, the grace and the attitude ... I'm buyin'

I want to thank you Mr. Rory Fitzgerald for such a moving story. I myself have many Irish ancestors,and more than a few were famine immigrants who went to New York City to make a new life. I sometimes think about how hard it must of been for them to come to America. Did they dream of returning to their beloved homeland of Ireland one day,and if so,did that dream come true,even if just for a visit. I think they must of dreamt of it ,but made the best of what their hard work and perseverence and America had to offer them. How hard it must of been to find and make their place in America. I once again want to thank you for this story. I will be sending my son Ross,who is a resident of NYC , to this monument. The next time I get to NyC I will be going there too! In closing I would like to say ,in my family I have only ever heard fond and wonderfull things d about Ireland. To us it is our homeland as well as our ancestors homeland! Cheryl Williams

Never once thought about the true natives of Amercia while blubbering about SinnFein. Just amazing the effects that a once slave, named Patrick, has had on the world. Without such a personage the Irish race would be happily/completely incorporated within the neighbouring occupiers framework - and with Queenie as their Pope. Stuck on Patrick's teachings they were stubborn to foreign rule. An America without the Irish would be poorer beyond measure - we are America - not like those who whine and exert undue influence over a seemingly unaware but (always) boastful people. Awake and smell the coffee. Happy Saint Patrick's Day and Thank you, Niall of the Nine Hostages for your enslavement of a young Patrick (his rename designation) from Celto-Roman Britian. Has shadings of how a slave or a descendent rises up to become President like Mr. Obama. Mother Nature plays wonderful tricks on those who think within their own box.

Haven't seen the memorial = must be new - one side of my Irish clan arrived at South Street Seaport on the Black Ball Clipper Yorkshire on August 29 1853 - so that is my favorite memorial!

I was moved to misty eyes by this lovely article. What a wonderful tribute on St. Patrick's Day. I live in North Carolina, have never even been to NY, but am planning a trip to Ireland the end of April and am working on a novel about a fictional family who left Ireland in 1847 so have read a lot about the famine. Stories related to that troublesome time almost always bring me to tears, and I was touched to read an Irishman's perspective on stumbling across this memorial in NY. America has truly been blessed that some horrific events have brought to our shores sturdy, resilient folks who are proud to be part of America and have and are shaping our future.

Thank you Mr. Fitzgerald for your beautiful and moving thoughts on your trip to New York. I read so many nasty comments from Ireland about us that I have my faith restored now. You remind me of my Irish immigrant grandparents who were so thankful for the opportunity they got here. It was a relief to read your letter after seeing the column written here that makes fun of the New York St. Patricks Day parade. Thanks again.

My eyes did a bit'o sweating upon touchdown at Shannon on my first and only trip to Ireland. I'm hoping before long to return there.....

AS AN IRISH EXPORT MYSELF (in 1960) I THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING EXACTLY HOW I AND MY FAMILY FEEL ABOUT THIS AMERICA..... (AND OUR IRELAND) THANK YOU Rory Fitzgerald............ Paddy Doran.