Both the US South and Ireland share (in my not so humble opinion) a particular aspect: Being (in the view of many inhabitants) oppressed regions with great cultural traditions behind them, a romantic view of the region and its noble past and culture is both easy and beguiling. Each has or tries to maintain a distinctive language or at least speech pattern, to help maintain its own worldview and image. This helps them look down on their "oppressors" from a high ground of culture.

Dave Oesterreich