What is the Irish's modern impact today?
Today in America, all Americans are descended from very different countries and ethnicities. But with the arrival of the Irish, many Americans are of Irish ancestry, or claim to have partially Irish. When the Irish came to America, they brought many items of great cultural importance to America. With them they brought the now widely celebrated holiday, St. Patrick's day. They also brought whiskey*, many types of beer, and their love of drinking. Their love of drinking has contributed to many of the bars and pubs dotting America today. But they didn't just bring items of cultural importance, they shaped America as we know it. At the time the Irish arrived, the country was quickly expanding westward and needed more jobs. During expansion, many Irish people helped complete the grueling work of building roads and railways. With out the Irish today, America would be a very different place.
Left: A modern-day St. Patrick's day parade. Right: An Irishman building railroads.