Sir, - I've been reading your Letters section for quite some time. I've noticed that a lot of those who write either have either a distinct hostility towards the US or are seemingly very snobby.
Hello! Reality check: look at your family trees, people. I'd bet a great majority of the haughty individuals who snort at us "Yanks" have family who immigrated over here. Plus, Celtic Tiger, the Irish population of the United States has been pumping an awful lot of money into Ireland for a long time.
We, the Irish-American community of the United States of America, have kept the heritage and traditions of Ireland alive for decades. We are raised to have respect and love for both our countries - The United States, where we were born, and the Republic of Ireland, where we come from.
Many of you reading this are my relatives and nobody appreciates a haughty relative. My husband wants to visit Ireland. If we land in the country that holds so much of our history and meet with folks with an attitude, you all may discover that, whether we are American- or Iris- born, we are all equal in temper. - Yours, etc.,
Debra Cunningham Kelly, Chesapeake, Virginia, USA.