The Government of Ireland defines the Irish diaspora as all persons of Irish nationality who habitually reside outside the island of Ireland. This includes Irish citizens who have emigrated abroad and their children, who are Irish citizens by descent under Irish law. The Irish diaspora in America has profoundly shaped the cultural, social, and political landscape of the nation, with millions of Americans claiming Irish ancestry and celebrating their heritage.
The Irish people were the first of many to immigrate to the U.S. in mass waves, many Irish fled their home country to escape unemployment and starvation during the Great Irish Famine. The richest of the Irish resettled in England, where their skilled work was greatly accepted, but lower class Irish and women could find little work in Western Europe, leading them to cross the Atlantic in search of greater financial opportunities.
However, the usage of Irish diaspora is generally not limited by citizenship status, thus leading to an estimated (and fluctuating) membership of up to 80 million persons; the second and more emotive definition. The Irish Government acknowledged this interpretation although it did not acknowledge any legal obligations to persons in this larger diaspora, when Article 2 of the Constitution of Ireland was amended in 1998 to read "Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage."
Irish Catholics were popular targets of stereotyping in the 19th century. According to historians, the media often stereotyped the Irish in America as being boss-controlled, violent both among themselves and others, voting illegally, prone to alcoholism and dependent on street gangs that were often violent or criminal.
In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood,
Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom.
galya joined the community
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