Greeting! Thanks for the recommendation, I will read Gerard Ronan's book. N

I have GREAT PRIDE in my Irish Heritage and yet, sadness for the way these Irish Emigrants were received when they came to this country. The Irish came to America to escape the oppression and hardships that they were experiencing in Ireland. America did not open their arms to these emigrants but rather, quite openly, denied them work by posting signs Irish need not apply. In spite of their experiences with this discrimination, they moved forward and have played an important role in our American History.

I am just finding out about the Patten name and its connection to the OBrien family. All my family on my fathers side have passed----so I will have to dig to find out any real information. I always had a love for anything Celtic----must be in the blood. I am very proud to be part Irish!

Jack Charlton was a demon at sourcing talent from the broader Irish community, and scooping up all those talented players who would never have thought to qualify for Ireland themselves. You'd see the 'foreign' players revel in their new found home. In that sense, JC did as much for the awakening of the Irish Diaspora as he did for Ireland's soccer team. Nick

Would like for my kids to be raised Irish. Great family values and sense of humour is much more important than "drive to win at all costs" mentality