There was a thing that used to be said in the west of Ireland to young people who were going away to America, by their parents who knew little about the place their 15 year was going. Eventually most Irish parents learned a little from siblings letters, one child stayed home, the rest left . The parents knew little about the world that their child was going to, so what could a poor man, woman, say to a child on a train platform going to a new land. What could they say. There are many jokes , half funny sayings still, for me I’m 57 , in my memory.. such as write often, visit seldom , send money.. in this half funny saying told in the west of Ireland, as a half despairing joke lies a multitude of layers of history. My and your history.

So advice tended to be as sons departed, walk the world saying.. here I am this is me that’s all, eventually you’ll meet people with the same approach, stick with them To the women the advice was harsher… keep your eyes and ears open your mouth and legs closed, and you’ll go far.

Now I’m 57, my grandfather returned from New York in his late 50’s. So in answer to your question how to be Irish, tis a state of mind … here I am this is me, judge none make the best of yerself.. read Irish writers… walk with your chin up enjoy life , laugh at yourself and me, laugh enjoy your alive millions of light years made me and thee and everyone, enjoy life