Interesting comments Lox. I've found quite a genuinely 'clannish' embracing nature in both my Irish family and other Irish people myself.

Strangers will always ask where your family are from, what town were you were born and suchlike. Surprised that you've experienced rejection from ex-Pats, never had anything like it myself - but then again I am English with Irish parentage, so I guess it's a different matter for me - and of course I don't contend your experiences!

Though with reference to what initiated the debate, I still dislike the kind of thing Mg above is advocating however, for there is indeed much more of interest and value to Irish culture than 'punched out of the mold' theme-pubs and err 'green'.