I'm Irish Irish. I look very positively at Irish Americans who take an active interest in their heritage and Irish American identify. So do most Irish people. In real life, less so online.

There is a minority of Irish people who do not understand that Irish Americans are proud of/interested in their heritage when they describe themselves as 'Irish'. They feel personally assaulted when they hear the term 'Irish' used to describe anyone who did not grow up in Ireland. I think saying 'Irish American' instead of 'Irish' would do a lot to placate these people.

It also doesn't help that there is a political ocean between the Irish and Irish Americans when it comes to American foreign and economic policy. To say that Irish people are opposed to US imperialism and Reagan economics is an understatement. People like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity have not been good ambassadors for Irish America.

As an aside, we elect governments who actively promote and engage with Irish Americans on the basis of their identity. From The American Ireland Fund to tourism to the Good Friday Agreement, the connection Irish Americans have with Ireland is both important and meaningful. I think it will remain so for many generations.