I hope I'm still qualified for this group.

[IrishAyes]

Just noticed that I've joined 10.

Well, at least they're electronic. Am I still kosher? Even in a small town, I manage to avoid most people most days. When it's necessary to go anywhere, I'm polite and cordial as possible but still hurry home. You've never seen anyone shop as fast as I do. But home's where the pleasures of life that give me peace are to be found.

[NYC_SKP]

1. It's a big tent, IrishAyes.

If I'm qualified then you surely are, too!

[Peregrine Took]

2. I'm Irish, too, and I love my home the best, also.

Never as happy anywhere else. Is it an Irish thing??

[IrishAyes]

4. Sometimes I think it must be.

My home is also decorated with more than a few pictures of the real Michael Collins; I even have an infamous(?) picture of the 5 members of his personal squad of Apostles. Took a bit of research to find their names, but eventually I did that too. My granddad and g-grand both had individual photos of some, but when as a child I asked who they were, they'd never say more than 'boys from the old country'. Dad told me after they died but not before. It was not something to be noised about during their time. When Dad passed, I loved to tease my sister about it because she had her nose so high up in the air; liked to imagine we were descended from ancient Irish royalty, and nearly convinced herself of it too.

Well, one common denominator among us all, I think, is that we're very interested in ourselves!

[Peregrine Took]

5. My dad was a Sinn Feiner' from Co Galway and fought for Ireland BUT against Partition.

That was a a no-no so he was imprisoned by the Irish in Mount Joy Jail for 2 years in the 20's but he and his buddy escaped.

He hated the British royalty and the government but liked or had no grudge against the English people.

"Burn everything that belongs to England but her tea!"

He fought the "Tan's" in his home area of Tuam, Ballyuglunin.

My brother applied for the Soldier's Medal for the old freedom fighters and he received one, postumously, for dad many years ago.

[IrishAyes]

7. Good family tree, there.

My great-grandand and g-dad would've been guests of the crown too, but they managed to slip across to Wales for new identities before shipping west on an old steamer. That's why technically we have a Welsh surname.

A lot of English feel Ireland deserves unification and full independence. I'll always love McCartney for "Give Ireland Back to the Irish!"

[Warpy]

3. I have a great social life---online

The on/off switch is a great invention for introverts. You can't simply walk away from people IRL, but you can walk away from the computer any old time and no one will think less of you for it.

ETA: I'm another Harp. Coincidence? Probably not.

[Peregrine Took]

6. Did you ever see the wonderful movie, "True Confessions?"

Incredible film with Di Nero, Charles Durning, Robert Duvall, Burgess Meridith.

One of the very few realistic depictions of a real Irish American family - one son a priest, one a cop and a super religious mom. It sounds formulaic but is very gritty and real - with all the lifelong grudges and pettiness. First time I heard the term "harp."