No Leprechauns Need Apply

On St. Patrick's Day it's tempting to lecture about stereotypes, discrimination, and the scorn that greeted Irish immigrants to North America, including how the Ku Klux Klan, in particular, reacted with violent prejudice, since there are now more people of Irish ancestry living in the U.S.A. than on the Emerald Isle. But the legend of driving the snakes from Ireland is a metaphor for conquering our fears.

It isn't about green beer and shots of Jameson's; the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day is about embracing those we meet - finding and recognizing our similarities instead of dwelling upon the differences.

When my grandfather's grandfather made the epic journey from Ireland in the 1860s to settle in Adrian, Michigan and establish a cobbler's shop, he had no idea his descendants would be able to watch events unfolding some day in places as exotic and "remote" as Cairo, Haiti, Japan, or even New Orleans or Madison as though we were all right there let alone use cell phones to text financial support. But he'd have loved the idea of helping those in need, of standing with workers fighting for their rights, and walking like an Egyptian.

Because culturally the Irish are inclined to see us all as one family. Irish-Americans are glad to see the wearing of the Green, today, even among those who can't spell Leprechaun and never eat potatoes. We're clear on why some Scots and Brits select other colors, and that's just fine, too - we'll still be toasting and singing and embracing all who can, even for one day, see a bit of something different as part of themselves, and a bit of themselves in the goodwill of Irish blessings and humor.

Join me - we can always make room for one more at the table because it's easy to stretch the stew with potatoes to serve another new member of the family. Guinness optional.

Thomas Hayes is a Irish-American Entrepreneur-Journalist, and former Congressional Campaign Manager; he's a communications strategist-consultant, photo-videographer, computer-geek, hyphenated-scoundrel, and union-supporter who writes on topics ranging from economics and politics to culture and community.

You can follow Tom as @kabiu on twitter. Tweet

Barack O'Bama The Irishman, American Indian, Kenyan, and Scot

I saw that over at Democratic Underground. Some poster calls himself Barack O'Bama! Too funny.

But then I decided to Google that name and it turns out that Obama has Irish roots. Check this out from the Chicago Sun Times... Barack Obama is American Indian, Irish, Scottish, Kenyan, and Pilgrim!

For sure, Obama's South Side Irish
ANCESTRY | One of his roots traces back to small village

May 3, 2007
BY BRIAN HUTTON
DUBLIN -- Presidential hopeful Barack Obama's ancestry has been traced back to a shoemaker in a small Irish village, it was reported Wednesday.

Obama's campaign wasn't talking about the revelation, but Chicago Ald. Ed Burke (14th) said he wasn't surprised.

"I could tell from the very first time I saw him -- he's got such a way with words," said Burke, who himself can trace ancestors to counties Clare and Kerry.


» Click to enlarge image

Sen. Barack Obama waves to the crowd at the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
(AP file)

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Records unearthed in the home of an elderly Irish parishioner who died recently have shed new light on the Illinois senator's ancestry.
A Church of Ireland rector scoured files from the church -- the equivalent of the U.S. Episcopal Church -- dating to the late 1700s. He confirmed that Obama descended from Moneygall, County Offaly.

The village today holds little more than a couple of pubs, shops and a Roman Catholic church.

Canon Stephen Neill, from a nearby town, began delving into Obama's past after a U.S. genealogist told him about the possible connection. "I would be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that this is categorical evidence of Mr. Obama's link to this part of the world," said the rector.

It was initially believed the would-be president's great-great-great-grandfather Fulmuth Kearney was the only one of his family to have sailed from Ireland to New York at age 19 in 1850.

But the newly uncovered records show other family members had in fact emigrated to America since the 1790s.

They also reveal that Fulmuth's father, Joseph, was a shoemaker -- a wealthy skilled trade at the time. "They would have been among the upper echelons of society back then," said Neill.

He said he thinks the name Fulmuth -- unusual for an Irish man -- was most likely a surname that was taken as a first name.

Obama was born in Hawaii to a black man from Kenya and a white woman -- with Irish links -- from Kansas. "I've got pieces of everybody in me," he has been quoted as saying.

But does the piece from Moneygall make Obama -- who lives in the South Side's Kenwood neighborhood -- South Side Irish?

"Of course," Burke said.

Press Association of Ireland, with Sun-Times Staff Reporter Matthew Nickerson contributing


OBAMA'S FAMILY TREE
His roots spread into so many places, it's hard to keep track. Here's a breakdown of reported links:
• American Indian: Obama said he had a "full-blooded Cherokee" in the family, but a genealogist said he couldn't find proof of that.

• Irish: He's traced to Fulmuth Kearney, who sailed to New York from Ireland in 1850. But where in Ireland? The counties are feuding: One expert says Kearney was from Meath, another Carlow. Now comes the news of ties to County Offaly.

• Kenyan: Obama's father came from the Luo group.

• Pilgrim: One direct ancestor was Edward FitzRandolph, married in Massachusetts in 1637. He was a Pilgrim father from Nottinghamshire, England.

• Scottish: There's even a royal link. Obama is descended from William I of Scotland, who reigned from 1165 to 1214. William was a politically and physically strong king. He charged Henry II's army single-handedly but was captured.

Sources: Sunday Times of London, Daily Mail of London, Chicago Sun-Times, Press Association