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IRELAND HAS BECOME the fourth country in the world to celebrate an annual Black History Month, following in the footsteps of the US, UK and Canada.
A network of groups have come together through Africa Irish Development Initiatives (AIDI) to organise a series of events that will take place throughout the month of October.
What began as a pilot initiative in Cork in 2010 has grown into a national programme.
Zephrynus Okechi Ikeh, Project Coordinator of Black History Month Ireland (BHMI), said that the initiative will tackle racism and discrimination through helping people understand different cultures.
The theme of BHMI 2014 is ‘Civil Rights, Ethnic Diversity, Intercultural Education and Development’.
Ikeh, who is orignially from Nigeria but has lived in Ireland for over seven years, said the month will “honour the men, women and children at the heart of this celebration – from doctors to professionals to educators to school children to asylum seekers”.
“Everyone in Ireland can draw strength from the story of hard-won progress, which not only defines the African-Irish experience, but also lies at the heart of the Irish nation as a whole,” Ikeh said at the launch of Black History Month this week.
He believes that now is the right time for BHMI as the Irish community has evolved greatly in recent years due to immigration.
In the 2011 Census, African people represented 1.3% of the population. One in three of those with African ethnicity were born in Ireland (19,694 people), as were 36.6% (2,337) of those with other black backgrounds.
The remaining Africans were born primarily in Nigeria (32.1%). Those from other black backgrounds were born in a range of countries including England and Wales (8.7%), Brazil (11.2%) and Mauritius (4.5%).
Ikeh has called on the Government to officially recognise BHMI and so that more organisations, schools and libraries will participate.
This year’s programme includes musical and cultural performances, lectures at several universities, religious services and the Dublin African Film Festival.
Raven Aflakete is from San Francisco but has lived in Dublin for several years. He is a spoken word poet and performed at the BHMI launch.
Aflakete recalled how BHM was “always a big deal” when he was growing up in America.
Black History Month was one of the few times we got to see ourselves writ large and cast in a positive light on the national scene and that cannot be underestimated in the United States.
He wants people to think about the significance of celebrating BHM in Ireland, noting how much multiculturalism has developed in recent years.
The first time I was here was probably about 15 years ago and there were honestly places where I would go where people had never seen a black person in the flesh – from Africa, from the United States, from anywhere. Take us from that point to now.
“What it means to be Irish is going to completely change, it’s already started … it will have completely transformed within two generations.”
Aflakete volunteered at a homeless shelter in Dublin for five years. During this time he became aware of the impact black culture from the United States had on certain people.
One of the things that struck me was that amongst all of these young men coming in off the streets almost every single one of them had posters of American gangster rappers on their walls … That got me thinking: ‘What’s it all about?’
… It’s about outlawed heroes. We have an underclass that feels as if it has been let down. Those outlawed heroes are the ones that we turn to when we feel like the system has let us down.
Clara Rose Thorntorn is also a spoken word performer. She moved from the US to Dublin 18 months ago.
BHM started in Thorntorn’s birthplace, Chicago. Carter G Woodson conceived the idea of ‘Negro Week’ in 1926 – a seven-day event designed to put forward positive portrayals of the African community and celebrate its history and contributions to America.
It was officially celebrated as national Black History Month in February 1976. The UK first celebrated its own BHM in 1978, while Canada officially recognised BHM in 1995.
Clara Rose Thornton / Vimeo
I’m so proud that my adopted country, my new land, is following in the footsteps of honouring the cornerstones of a successful community, ethnic diversity, community inclusion, cultural education, cultural tolerance.
“Now when these things don’t occur, divisions form and divisions continue when there is not diversity – when there is not education about diversity, when there is not inclusion,” Thornton said at the launch.
More information about the events happening during BHMI can be found here.
We’ve a lot more Polish people living here than black people
Shouldn’t we have a Polish history month?
I think we do though
Indeed the English apparently make up the largest non native demographic here why not an English history month?
I think the Poles have passed them out Dave
Yes 325,000 english people live in Ireland.
If we had white history month.. We be racist
It would take a lot longer than one month to get through white history.
Because there isn’t a history of systematic and institutional discrimination against English people. The point of this isn’t arbitrarily based on ethnicity but is a good political impulse to establish a social understanding of what it means to be black beyond the history of slavery, famine and disease.
Also, I would see English as a nationality, not an ethnicity.
“Also, I would see English as a nationality, not an ethnicity.”
At least I agree with that, I am always irritated by cries of racism when debates about anti-Irish, anti-Scots etc. etc. happen.
Unfortunately your first paragraph is a manifesto for black people retreating into a comfortable cocoon of victimhood and entitlement.
By giving them a chance to express themselves and allow us to learn something about a culture other than our own? It’s nice to see that ignorance is still rife amongst some Irish people.
Interesting that you’ve taken the language used to describe benefits cheats and social welfare parasites and mapped it on to an entire section of contemporary Irish life with no evidential basis.
I remember Black History Month in England while I was in school. It was nothing to do with victimisation, blaming the white people or guilt tripping anyone, and it certainly wasn’t about being proud of being black, it was about education and culture. It was genuinely about learning about black history and African history, as opposed to the European history that we usually learn. We did projects on historical figures of our choosing like Malcolm X, MLK, Rosa Parks, King Shaka etc. We learnt about slavery and colonialism, we learnt about the role of black people in British history like during the Second World War. There was no sense of “oh look we’re victims, pity us” it’s was just a chance to look outside of Europe and to appreciate the history of the wider world and of other people.
Danny. .. That sounds good And healthy so in the same way we could have a white history month celebrating all of our achievements without being labeled as racist?
First of all, I’m not wrong. I think I’ve made fairly reasonable arguments thus far and, whilst you are more than welcome to disagree, I’ve not said anything that is incorrect; my opinions are based on historical evidence.
Secondly, I think it’s pretty disturbing that you’ve immediately jumped to the conclusion that the organisation of a Black History Month is equivalent to black people in Ireland playing the victim card. If I had done that, I would have to reflect on why I made that connection and what the implications were for my outlook and the way I see others.
Thirdly, my perspective isn’t necessarily formed by a primary concerned with racial discrimination, although it’s been necessary for me to write in that context here. I’m more concerned with how groups of people have historically imposed a set of values or ideals on others (usually people of colour, women, the disabled, the working-classes) to the detriment of their quality of life. Having researched race politics in colonial South Africa, I am well aware that you do not need to be white to be racist and that black on black racism is equally as revolting as any other combination. But then, when we talk about racism, we are really talking about one person’s power over another; the colour of one’s skin (whether victim’s or perpetrator’s) is pretty arbitrary in that context.
Marc, what do you call the rest of the year? In school we learn about white history and white culture, on the tv, radio, and in films and magazines we celebrate white culture and white history. For one month and one month only, time is being set aside specifically to learn about black history and culture, and to look outside of our Eurocentric view. Or are you suggesting that the rest of the year isn’t full of learning about and celebrating white history and culture?
” It’s nice to see that ignorance is still rife amongst some Irish people.” The old thinly disguised ad hominem response. You may believe I am ignorant but perhaps that is because of your world view which skews your grasp of reality.
I speak from experience of dealing with all nationalities and the differences between them. And the attitudes are often stark.
hey Danny you are not Irish,why don’t you keep you ignorant stupid thoughts to yourself,surely you are sick of getting thumbs down at this stage,if you keep going with the thumbs down,you could be entered into the Guinness book of records,or maybe that’s what you are trying to achieve.
Noel, why do you keep insisting that I’m not Irish?
@ Marc…. I’m sure if there was white history month the racism would be pretty apparent
Kieran. …i notice that you failed to mention Black racism towards Whites in your reply. … something that people such as your self choose to ignore in your supplication to those you feel have been abused. …i could give you a list of the number of times I’ve been at the victim end in both the USA and London but I’m personally not racist towards anyone. .. or an apologist for my race to anybody either. … and i dont view myself as a victim either. .. But i still think that if there’s a black history month. .Why not a white history month? … After 18 years in London i can guarantee to you that i was not surrounded by White people all day or white culture. … so what’s wrong with white people celebrating their contribution to the earth?
Cholly , very true what you’re saying there !
Most of them are 2nd an 3rd generation Irish.
Except English is an ethnicity. Denying tje
To Hakuin, but you are missing the point. To celebrate Polish history month you would need to be from Poland and share a common history. To celebrate bhm you only have to have black skin, then you can claim any history or person that also has black skin, American, African, Irish. It defines people by the colour of their skin to combat defining people by the colour of their skin.
These sort of things can seem like a good idea, but just serve to be divisive. Morgan Freeman had some great things to say about Black History Month in the US.
http://youtu.be/GeixtYS-P3s
I think we need an Irish history month,we have a very dep rich history that goes way back before the english invasions.
We learn about and celebrate our history all the time anyway, why do we need a specific month for it?
So when is white hostory month???
The other 11 months
“What it means to be Irish is going to completely change, it’s already started … it will have completely transformed within two generations.”
That’s what worries us. It is enforced multi-culturism, with all the onus on the native people to adapt and change.
Try promoting our history, our heritage, our culture instead of trying to undermine it.
Click on the link in the second paragraph.
Firstly, you’ll see the very poor use of english throughout.
But this is from their ‘values’ section:
“With about 12% of Irish residence (sic) known to be Blacks and Africans, we feel it is important to develop an understanding of one another’s (sic) culture for innovation and knowledge sharing, and a better community development and diversification (sic), hence what other better ways than through the development of cultural heritages can we positively build a social capital (sic). (what??)
So 12% of people in Ireland are blacks and Africans?
I think they need to channel their efforts to be better educated and informed.
Self-serving, divisive, idiotic nonsense.
I think Muhammad Ali is a heavier puncher than Morgan Freeman about this topic:
Muhammad Ali explains race and multiculturalism in 1minute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O6z-oG18Fc
Multicult Parkinson vs Muhammad Ali – Parkinson KO’d in 1st round.
“It ain’t sad because I want my child to look like me, every intelligent person wants his child to look like him, I’m sad because I want to blot out my race & lose my beautiful identity”
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali – Racial Integration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqiWFLsgVi4
Perhaps such great work & marvellous culturally enriching events could work elsewhere? For example with the Amazonian Indian tribes, they are another fine ethnically homogenous peoples, which would benefit from a more multicultural emphasis & global cultural enrichment. I propose we persuade them of the benefits of multiculturalism & mass immigration of Europeans etc. into their South American ethnic territories, thus bringing the benefits of diversity/enrichment to them also. Why should they be deprived of such a gift, are they any less than us? I suggest a White History month in their Amazonian year of Amazonian celebrations & festivals, (which oddly enough seems to only include so far, a continual celebration of actual amazonian living people past, present & future, & of life, birth & death in a unique Amazonian Indian way), where they can learn about the talent, skill general all round wonderousness of Europeans, dare we call it White History Month, WHM when it takes off among the Amazons?
To take from a quote from the wonderful Aflakete in the above article:
““What it means to be Amazon Indian is going to completely change, it’s already started … it will have completely transformed within two generations.”
Not sure about Canada, but do we really want to end up like the UK or USA, stuff like this only breeds division imo.
Like celebrating st Patricks day abroad does? It doesn’t breed tolerance, acceptance? Pride in your culture and heritage? A showcase for promotion of where you come from, so your hosts can learn more about you, try different things?
I hate what St Patrick’s day has become in Britain Jason. It is no more that a week long promotional event for Guinness. The idiotic parades and flag waving is certainly no positive showcase for the Irish. I assume it is pretty much the same all over the world.
@Jason
Seriously, has it worked in the US and UK I don’t think so and it has no comparison to Paddys day. Is there a black Saint that has their own day celebrated around the world if there is I’d gladly celebrate for that day and go and see the parade but to have a month of other culture rammed down my throat is unnecessary and I mean that with no disrespect. As Morgan Freeman said don’t call me black and I won’t call you white.
What evidence are you basing your claim on that this only breeds division? It’s nothing to do with shoving a culture down your throat, and I can say that from first hand experience
@Danny Rigg
Please read my comment again, it ended with imo, that means in my opinion.
Opinions still need some evidence. Why do you say it only breeds division? What makes you believe that?
Evidence is in the title, BLACK history month. That’s a dividing term right there.
That’s not evidence that it causes division. You must be smarter than that
@Danny Rigg.
I guess in your opinion opinions need to be backed by evidence. The title of this article says black history month not white/brown/yellow, it’s a dividing statement and I can’t stand the term black in anyway. I myself would have no problem with an African history month as this wouldn’t be as offensive as I find the term black to be. That’s my opinion would you like evidence of that too.
I wanted evidence for the claim you made, whether or not it’s your own personal opinion. You can’t just make a claim like that with absolutely not evidence behind it. African history month isn’t enough either because it isn’t just about Africa. It doesn’t take much to understand the meaning of “black” in this context and if you don’t then you should look it up. If you think that only causes division and that it should be called African History Month then you clearly know next to nothing about it
You find the term “black” offensive?
@Danny Rigg
Common sense is almost a super power now that there’s so little of it around. Night night now.
There’s no such thing as common sense
Humans always classifying each other by race,ethnicity,colour,religion etc we’re all human all have emotions (bar the psychopaths etc) surely we should celebrate our humanity not segregate it and by black this or white that.
Whilst I agree with the sentiment, I disagree that we shouldn’t have different celebrations/commemorations for different types of people. No matter how much we like to think of ourselves as a race of equals, that’s something that is a very recent innovation in the way we think of ourselves (post-WWII). Before that many, many people who weren’t white, rich and male simply didn’t have an opportunity to express themselves. Whilst ‘we’re’ all equal now’ is a fashionable sentiment now, it doesn’t make up for the centuries of history in which we weren’t, which makes events such as this necessary.
You seem to be referring to American history here.
We do not have a black history here in Ireland.
Tom you are dead wrong, Everyone is to blame for slavery. Please watch this 10 min video which explains the Atlantic slave trade.
http://youtu.be/dnV_MTFEGIY
Tom, it isn’t about the black history in a specific country, it’s about black history in the broadest sense
You’ve astounded me, I look forward to your publications proving as such.
Everyone has the internet now.
If you want to spend a month learning about black history there’s no stopping anyone.
If these people really cared about diversity like they claim why focus on ‘black’ history only, whatever black means in this context is beyond me anyway.
And no one is forcing you to learn about it during Black History Month
“Tom you are dead wrong, Everyone is to blame for slavery. ”
Were the Irish responsible also? And maybe for their own slavery?
@Edward Malone. Indeed the Irish suffered similar and sometimes worse treatment. Google Irish slaves and then add a Caribbean country and see how many Irish were enslaved. They rewrite history and portray the Irish as indentured servants,some were but the majority were slaves. Indeed the Irish were the first non-native slaves in America,Caribbean and South America. Irish people were also sold as slaves to Scandinavia as late as the 17th century.
The Irish were prolific international slave traders themselves, look how we ended up with Patrick..
We were constantly raiding the west British coast between the 3rd and 7th century, taking booty and slaves. We were already doing it to each other. We were however the only “white” people to ever be colonised, and we have a connection with slaves brought from Africa to join us in Jamaica. Ever wonder about the Jamaican accent, mixture of Cork and Liberia.
So we already have Africa Day which the Journal turns into a week long event, now we have to celebrate Black History month, why? If something has some intrinsic value people will recognise that and celebrate it regardless.
It’s a chance to learn about culture and history outside of the European view that we usually have. In school we predominantly learnt about European and American history, but black history month is a chance to look outside of that
it looks like the immigrant council of Ireland will the new government soon.this country sickens me look after and glorify everyone else and neglect our own,this country is really heading down the swanny with Kenny and his cohorts.at the helm
@ noel baily you hit the nail on the head there!
Why a whole month? Could it not be a day?
Or a minute!
What about black people of non-African descent? Or do they not count? No months for other races?
Wouldn’t ‘history month’ be better, celebrate the history of all people, don’t create unnecessary divides.
It is for the history of all black people and all Africans. And there’s no such thing as race
“And there’s no such thing as race”
Danny
I think that debate has been exhausted and it has been established that race is a biological reality and not as has been argued ‘a social construct’. I used to be of the opinion that race was a social construct but the evidence is contrary.
It’s been established that there is no such thing as race. There’s ethnicity and nationality, but there is no race
I think you might need to have another look Danny.
Maybe start here.
A time shall come when we shall all celebrate Africa Irish History Month in Ireland, by then we must be able to build strong intercultural community that it does not matter whether you are of white or black skin, rather we will be able to share what we all have together and that is “To recognise that we are human created and given the gift of life by our creator. Sharing of our history and cultural heritages are means of learning from one another which forms an indigenous education which is disappearing from our society today.
Once you say something negative or you don’t agree with the non white community you’re a racist ! Imagine going to Africa and celebrating white histroy for a month ! Don’t think you’d last long !
White history isn’t all that great in Africa
Racism is very apparent in Ireland and it’s something that bothers me deeply. Why someone would hate another because of their skin colour is beyond comprehension.
People of African heritage have contributed so much to humanity from music, sports, literature and they have to fight for their right to be equal.
Judging from comments on another article people would rather they die of Ebola than help the worlds poorest. The herd mentality is strong in Ireland. Bigotry breeds bigotry, we still have a long way to go.
Judging from the red thumbs our comments are correct !
Cannot believe the number of Ted thumbs you are getting Glen. It’s probably a conspiracy.
Is ted thumb tom thumbs brother?
I thought it was his cousin …. Ahippo you seem to know everything in the world. Tell us in all your wisdom what is the family connection between Ted & Tom Thumb
I have friends in London who got racially abused by black people. Sadly it happens both ways.
Nobody is disputing that Mike but my point is black people have to fight for rights and equality were as whites don’t .
@ glen just dont come out with the racism gem! nobody mentioned anything about “hate”, the problem is ireland is a small country that is going through the worst austerity and people are loosing their homes , their will to live! and we have people new to the country expecting to be housed, health etc and if they dont get exactly what they want the old racism card is used.
There’s a bad egg in every basket …. live and let live I say !
Well said Glenn, the blatant racism and ignorance of some people is sad and shameful. Am delighted Black History Month will now be in Ireland as I always found it to be a very interesting, informative, welcoming and community building experience when I lived in England. It would appear that some of the people commenting on here don’t seem to realise that attendance at and participation in any of the events is not compulsory, although it would do some of them no harm to go along and learn something as it possibly might make them think twice before spouting off their ill-informed bigoted bullshit.
Going by the so called “logic” of these people there should also be an end to the many Irish festivals and heritage events that have been taking place in other countries all over the world for years.
Maura
You were going so well until “bigoted bullshit.”. Insult is no substitute for reasoned argument.
FMan, any time I have ever had the misfortune to encounter someone with racist opinions they all spout the same ill-informed, illogical nonsense.
Or are you one of these people who actually believes the “They’re all coming over here and being given free mansions, Lamborghinis, 100 acres of land and private jets” bullshit?
They are equal glen
Me too. .. Been mugged at knife point in London 3 times by Black men. … Also harassed by jamaican neighbours for years. .. But still judge individuals not a whole people
What parts of “black culture and heritage” is being honoured?
We don’t know, but to do nothing would be racist in this nanny state PC kip!
I mean France and Holland who have a huge amount of blacks don’t celebrate this, it just goes to show how the immigrant council and the PC brigade are winning through in this stupid spineless county , why don’t we just give our country away and be done with it
Stupid
We don’t even celebrate 1916
Yes we do….every year on Easter Monday, it’s a pretty regular thing, usually on TV, the President is there, they read the proclamation and salute the GPO. We even had a military parade for the 90th anniversary. What more do you want exactly?
Mark, I think the point there was that 1916 doesn’t have a celebration every year but now we will have an annual back history month. Seems a bit silly.
I’ve celebrated 1916 every year since I came back to Ireland, quite a lot of people do.
Mmmm let’s all feel smug, “must be PC” at all times, could it be possible to ask, how are some many able to arrive, take advantage of our social welfare system, when are own families are left homeless, but then again that’s probably just racist! Where’s the party at!
You do realise it’s mostly the people who throw around the term “PC brigade” who also throw around the term “racist” before anyone even thinks of calling them racist? I agree that we need to deal with our internal issues though
what percentage of blacks in Ireland are availing of our generous social welfare i,no wonder they say they love Ireland,if i went to a country where i could get every thing for free including a house i`d love it too,its sham and false,take away the social welfare and see how many stick around
Is This True, We should have day for this if so.
That poem(/monologue?) is probably the most cringeworthy thing I’ve ever seen.
What exactly is wrong with it?
How do you pick the centre person in a group of four?
Does the name Zephrynus not give it away..
Here’s a black consciousness issue going on right now: would The Journal consider doing an article on the alleged cure for Ebola that has users thrown off Instagram their password reset and their bio deleted if they type it’s name? My twitter TL and that of Ali Shakur @vibehi have details.
>>>Hey, I’m John and I’m an engineer at Instagram. Our spam filters temporarily flagged this term incorrectly because of its similarity to a previous case, but we’ve adjusted our filters and this should no longer be happening. Thanks for flagging!<<<
The nasty immigrant council is hugely behind forcing multiculturalism on the indigenous Irish,nobody minds a certain amount of immigration but what they are doing our country is taking it too far,and their is a large percentage who work for them are not Irish,there is several Africans ,Czech,a German lawyer,and a pole who is in charge of integration ,so if you are not Irish you don’t care what you do to a country you have no ties too,and that’s what’s happening its actually nearly all foreigners who are inflicting multiculturalism on us with out our permission
Who’s history is a month!? Ridiculous concept born out of some sense of integration which highlights difference. Let’s have Russian month, China month & feel free to pick your own ten race or country months.
Ireland is a white country. If black countries want to celebrate their black history, good for them. But Ireland has no black history, as they only came here in any sort of vaguely significant numbers in very recent times, whereas the ancestry of the white Irish people goes all the way back to the first white settlers here at the end of the Ice Age, and has been molded by all the various WHITE peoples such as the Norse who have settled here over the centuries. So tell me again why Ireland aught to celebrate the history of a race of people who had absolutely nothing to do with the Irish people’s past? And if you are shocked to here me say this, because it isn’t “politically correct” or something, get your head out of your arse.
As an American living in Ireland I always find it interesting, seeing the same racial rhetoric/talking points used by a certain segment of people back home being used here. Why is this? The circumstances and situations are completely different.
Do black/african immigrants receive a disproportionate amount of social welfare? I always hear this(I’ve even had people say this within earshot of me in public, despite the fact that I work here legally and pay taxes) but I’ve never really seen any evidence of this.
Yes Jamel they do receive a disproportionate amount of Social Welfare , the vast majority of Africans in Ireland came to Ireland claiming Asylum /Refugee status , to be honest is has been noticed and the hard pressed taxpayer are fed up with it , at the rate our Politicians deal with anything it will not change anytime soon , resulting in I fear social problems in the future which we could well do without
Mike, do you have stats for the claim that he vast majority of Africans came to Ireland claiming asylum?
You the man for researching Danny , check out the number of Nigerians who have claimed Asylum Here in the last 15 years !
Probably Jamel because they know what they see. But so many are too busy to throw the charge “racist” when people point up what they see. Obviously some of opinions are based on hearsay and anecdote along with racist attitude the truth of what people know can not be disguised.
Last year I wrote to my local authority (admittedly in England) for some figures about social housing allocation.
This was a FOI request, there was a debate going on about disproportionate housing being allocated to what are now called “International New Arrivals”.
I had heard all the anecdotes and hearsay about this type of allocation and I know what I am seeing. The LA replied they did not keep figures on the breakdown that I requested despite there being policy in this area to keep such records. I wonder why they chose to be so circumspect?
Why not answer my question, mike? Are you afraid that the statistics don’t support your claim?
Ah Danny ! Look it up man , it’s better to do your own research , but don’t leave anything out mind !
@ jamel franklin you always hear it jamel because it is very true and visual, the fact is they do receive a disproportionate amount of social welfare and other services that are DEMANDED by africans , fair play to yourself if you are working and paying taxes but people are just sick of the demands and the entitlement attitude some sections of the community take, if you have never really seen evidence of this take a look around you and there is plenty of evidence…..look at local housing offices, community welfare offices, doctors, i could go on!
the bottom line is …anyone that points out the obvious and now wants answers to questions about where resources are going they are labeled racist
Mike, you made the claim, if you can’t back it up then that’s your problem and it raises serious doubt about the validity of your claims
Ah Danny ! You disappoint me , over 40% of asylum applications came from our Nigerian friends , now use your GCE in maths and work it out , you will find it amounts to the population of a large Irish town , a number of smaller towns and sure we will throw in a couple of Villages to make up the numbers
@ mike cantwell excellent ! bet the research wont be done or shared as we all well know the stats are there to support your comment…….
I thought October was Hispanic Heritage Month in the US, to celebrate the Latino-Americans contributions in the US
Here is a thought why don’t we have an IRISH History week ? Now that would be different, one thing I would like to know is how people that have no history of family in Ireland before they landed at Dublin Airport say they know what it is like to be Irish. Getting a passport means nothing anymore.
have your say