1 definition by NYC Ginger

1)Americans whose distant ancestors came from Ireland. Many contries built by immigration use hyphens to denote cultural ties, such as Canada, US, England and Australia. Mainly American, they nonetheless retain the physical and cultural characteristics of Ireland (dark or red hair, pale and thin) and are identified as Irish by the general population and sometimes suffer discrimination due to these physical traits.

2)Americans whose parents are Irish

3)Americans born in the US but raised in Ireland, see Frank McCourt,writer; Aidan Quinn,actor ; Eamon DeValera, patriot and first president of Ireland

4)The people who raised cash and weapons so that the Irish war of Independence could be fought. Without Irish American support there would be no Republic of Ireland
Some Irish claim that Irish-Americans are not Irish at all, but they always lay claim the famous ones, such as Eugene O'Neill and Frank McCourt as their talents are so "Irish".
by NYC Ginger August 9, 2007
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