I would like to add to the  post on Irish History.

Both sets off my grandparents were born and raised in Ireland and came to this country in the 1890's. On of my grandfathers was a founding member of the CIO labor union in Chicago. They met in Chicago, got married and raised families of 2 boys on my fathers side and 8 children(6 lived) on my mother's side.  We were taught our Irish heritage from the earliest time I can remember.

Several years after my first wife died I remarried a woman of Irish and Dutch heritage and we decided to honeymoon in  Ireland.  After a long flight, we were flying our approach to Dublin International and the pilot said to look out the windows and see the green field of Ireland.  As I did the strangest feeling came over me, it was eery.  It was if someone from my past was saying to me "You're home." It was so strange but I was.

Fourteen days later I  had to leave my ancestral home and return to my actual home in Grand Rapids,MI.

I will never forget that feeling I had in the plane.  It was a thrill of a life time.