In order to learn more about the true meaning of my Irish side, I decided to talk to the oldest connection I have at the start of my Irish roots, my great-grandmother. Moving to America all alone when she was only 19 years old, her transition story was quite interesting.
I have peace in Ireland. Just thinking of it brings back happy times for me with my family. I had a good life there, lots of siblings, lots of friends. It was a time that I didn’t have to struggle. I still relied on my family and they never failed to provide for me no matter how hard things got. We got by with what we had. I had a much greater sense of appreciation for things. Once I came over to America to raise my family in a place where they could have a better life, I really struggled for a while. I was just 19 years old when I came over here by myself. I was on my own trying to find a place to live and to work.
After I met my husband and eventually started my family, things got easier, but it was very hard for a while. In the end, the transition was worth it but just the thought of Ireland brings back a sense of comfort and peace for myself.
I don’t really ever go back to visit anymore. My sisters actually come to visit me quite a lot though, so I’m not missing out on family. I’m just too old to be making the trip now, but I do wish I could.
I grew up a long time ago so things are very different. There aren’t nearly as many traditions here as a whole culture as there are in Ireland. Everyone seemed to live the same way over there, but here, traditions are all different because of how diverse it is. It varies in household here but over there it all seemed the same. I also don’t think households here are as strict as they are over there. I would never even think about talking back to my parents, or not completing my studies, or even missing dinner. I guess I’m just old fashioned, though. I also think kids have grown to be spoiled. Over there, there was a much more sense of appreciation for our families and what they did for us even when we had almost nothing. I remember being lucky to get my own present on Christmas and not having to share with my sisters and being ecstatic about it. Kids here though come down to a tree full of presents and still manage to complain.
I think one thing I have always seen is a sense of pride in whatever heritage you are. Back home, everyone was proud to be Irish and it was displayed for everyone to see. Living in an Irish neighborhood in Philly, I see this same pride of being Irish. I have seen it for many more cultures though here too. Philly is very diverse and everyone seems to be comfortable expressing their culture in all different ways. It’s very nice to see.
I always tried to raise my kids to be appreciative of the things they had. I always raised a big family just like the one I grew up in. I tried to keep a strict household as well because it was what I was used to. I also always filled my home with decorations of different Irish blessings, especially the ones I was raised on. They’re just nice little inspiring sayings to have in the home. It’s very comforting.
I have peace in Ireland. Just thinking of it brings back happy times for me with my family. I had a good life there, lots of siblings, lots of friends. It was a time that I didn’t have to struggle. I still relied on my family and they never failed to provide for me no matter how hard things got. We got by with what we had. I had a much greater sense of appreciation for things. Once I came over to America to raise my family in a place where they could have a better life, I really struggled for a while. I was just 19 years old when I came over here by myself. I was on my own trying to find a place to live and to work.
After I met my husband and eventually started my family, things got easier, but it was very hard for a while. In the end, the transition was worth it but just the thought of Ireland brings back a sense of comfort and peace for myself.
I don’t really ever go back to visit anymore. My sisters actually come to visit me quite a lot though, so I’m not missing out on family. I’m just too old to be making the trip now, but I do wish I could.
I grew up a long time ago so things are very different. There aren’t nearly as many traditions here as a whole culture as there are in Ireland. Everyone seemed to live the same way over there, but here, traditions are all different because of how diverse it is. It varies in household here but over there it all seemed the same. I also don’t think households here are as strict as they are over there. I would never even think about talking back to my parents, or not completing my studies, or even missing dinner. I guess I’m just old fashioned, though. I also think kids have grown to be spoiled. Over there, there was a much more sense of appreciation for our families and what they did for us even when we had almost nothing. I remember being lucky to get my own present on Christmas and not having to share with my sisters and being ecstatic about it. Kids here though come down to a tree full of presents and still manage to complain.
I think one thing I have always seen is a sense of pride in whatever heritage you are. Back home, everyone was proud to be Irish and it was displayed for everyone to see. Living in an Irish neighborhood in Philly, I see this same pride of being Irish. I have seen it for many more cultures though here too. Philly is very diverse and everyone seems to be comfortable expressing their culture in all different ways. It’s very nice to see.
I always tried to raise my kids to be appreciative of the things they had. I always raised a big family just like the one I grew up in. I tried to keep a strict household as well because it was what I was used to. I also always filled my home with decorations of different Irish blessings, especially the ones I was raised on. They’re just nice little inspiring sayings to have in the home. It’s very comforting.