Top ten reasons the Irish make a success of themselves as immigrants

It can be a real eye opener reading through comments here,and trying to make sense of them,but one thing i do know is every view of reality is just that,a personal view,its really up to us to make this world a better place and therefore our own lives, dwelling on the negatives don't solve our problems,it just keeps us stuck in a time warp,not a good idea when you want to move forward.

Barry, I know it's different with today's immigrants. Most Irish immigrants of the 20th century have done very well. I'm pleased with that.

I agree with you Barry. The Irish didn't build the country by themselves. I never meant to infer that they did, only that the early Irish were treated horrendously. The fact that they spoke English (most of them),and that they were willing and able to work most jobs right off the ship was a Godsend for America. It must not be forgotten how the Irish were forced out of their own country because the potato crop failed. Until history gets it right, some us will keep the issue alive, for those who didn't make it.

I didn't write the comment from 12:01

Searlit, fair enough. I think cases like that probably come from the 19th century though. My earlier comments were about 20th century Irish immigrants in America who, although I'm sure did work hard (along with other ethnic groups) didn't actually risk their lives at work and did quite well for themselves - despite most of them being very uneducated. All I'm saying is it's important to bear in mind the contributions and sufferings of other ethnic groups and not just make out that the Irish are the only people that ever did any work in America.

ciaradexy, just for your information, the Miami face-eater was not American but HAITIAN. OOOPS! YOU'RE WRONG AGAIN!!

WTF.....you guys are crazy..seriously looking at all the comments ..it's so random and paranoid...by both those claiminng to be Irish and Irish American.... you guys seem to resent and hate each other so much...it's kinda funny...it's weird i mean your take on anything is to do with your issues nothing else ..this site attracts some wtf comments...:-)

"Americans are eating each others faces in Florida". Ciaradopey, you're just jealous. But there's nothing to stop you eating faces in Kilmainham, what about all those foreign "mates" (ugly English slang word) that you claim you have?

Mr. Malone, even tho this appears to be mostly your homemade opinion, I think it's pretty good. Rings pretty true.

bythebay, you disgusting sad loner

Barry, I got this information from the book 'Irish American Landmarks' by John A. Barnes, if you care to read it yourself. The slaveowners valued the lives of their slaves, as they valued their other investments. They knew the risks of having them work on the canals with all the yellow fever carrying mosquitos. I knew something of this before I read this book, though. It was extremely difficult and dirty work. It is said that the Town of New Orleans tried using other immigrants & slaves to do the work first, but the mortality rate was so high...So, if I seem sensitive to the berating that Irish-Americans sometimes get, you only have to look to these tragedies, and how they received no notice, except mostly by Irish- Americans, themselves.

Question for Searlit in relation to your comment: "The Irish took the jobs that nobody else would do. Slaveowners didn't want to use slaves due to the risk. The Irish who were Bogmen could do the backbreaking work required." What do you mean when you say "risk" here?

Ciara, hollywood tends to stereotype, not Irish Americans. It is always dangerous to paint with abroad brush. Thank you for the insults, and assumptions.

Let's not forget liberators, like my hero, Bernardo O'Higgins.

Searlit, you Americans of Irish descent reek persecution and oppression which just isn't present in other immigrant communities of the US. Your opinions about Ireland relate to an Ireland of hundreds of years ago and have no connection or relevance whatsoever to 21st century. multicultural Ireland.