Kevin McG, I don't yet see a whole lot of Yankee Doodle Diasporans jumping in here the other way, to stand back-to-back with Father Ahern at Vinegar Hill as the US Marines advance to the fatal conclave. (Terraced thousands died, shaking scythes at cruise missiles...)

But I must admit, I did miss the point of your subtly open-ended question. Having been away from the 'Cat for a while, I must have forgotten how clever you are (seriously). If I'm not more careful, this foreshadows my conviction on felonious forgettery charges, whereupon the penultimate sentence may be meted out. In any case, yes, the Irish-Americans *are* different. We have proportionately more Plastic Paddies than any other diaspora venue. Apart from Tipperary of course. Trust me on this. I oughta know. :)

More to come. (Fair warning!)