One of the most fascinating and interesting threads to be found on the Mudcat in quite a while. Questioning, debating, and civil. Congrats to all.

Epona, I love the screen name, and your obvious love of Irish culture. But while we are being pedantic, you might have chosen the name of a legendary Irish woman instead of a Hallstadt Celt (Austrian), eh? (ducking for cover here, sniggle, sniggle)

So yes, parentage, where you see your soul as being, all play their parts in forming one's identity

It was great to see this comment from one of my cousin's on the Eastern side of the pond. It is what I have said about "Irish Americans" right along. To be sure their are many who are Irish one day a year and know nothing of their culture. But there is also a very large group, myself included, who have been raised by immigrant families to be "Irish". We are raised with the customs, the music and the language. We see ourselves that way, fully understanding that we weren't born there. But Irish nonetheless. It is our identity and our soul place.

BTW, in my family one never refers to it as "Northern Ireland". It is the north of Ireland. We do not see it as a separate state. The political reality, when it is all said and done, may be something different. But to my family thus it shall ever be.

As to the main topic, I don't feel like one can paint with such a broad brush. It's like asking white Americans if they are anti black. Ludicrous assertion, and gratuitous as well. It can be denied just as gratuitously. Or answered affirmatively in a gratuitous fashion. Of the folks from England, Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland, and all the other parts of Britain, that I have met, I have yet to meet any that are anti Irish. That is not to say that I haven't met those that hate the armed struggle and those that perpetuate it.

The larger issue raised here is the provocative "what does being British mean?" discussion. I note the probing questions by Tir.

Identity ...... wow ...... this is getting good.

All the best,

Mick