Irish America was hugely important in Ireland’s long struggle for independence.
I also believe that it can now prove crucial in assisting the Irish community in Scotland in their long walk to respect.
When I was in Philly I spoke with an outstanding young man called Kevin Boyle. He is the State Representative for the city.
He had attended that pre-match presser which was also the announcement of a soccer academy in Philly which will involve Celtic.
When I was introduced to him it took us less than sixty seconds to work out that I knew his first cousin very well and had worked with him in an Irish language project twenty years ago. Kevin’s Jewish chief of staff looked on agog at the instant familiarity that Irish people are capable of wherever we meet in the world.
Later that day Kevin had given a firebrand speech at the Famine memorial ceremony. I thought that the basic truth he had spoken would still be verboten in the Scotland of many cultures.
We agreed to have sit down later that week end.
PM: As an Irish American is it fair to say you didn’t have too far to look back for your roots?
KB: My father is from Glencolmcille in Donegal and my mother’s parents are from Easky, County Sligo. I have many relatives still residing in Glen, Mount Charles, and Inver in my father’s county.
PM: You spoke at the memorial on Friday about your awareness of anti-Irish racism in Scotland and how that played out in soccer.
KB: I think McGeady and McCarthy are probably pretty representative of the Irish in Scotland. They don’t have the freedoms that I have as an American to celebrate my heritage.
There isn’t an anti-Irish bias in America where people feel marginalised.
I think when FIFA and UEFA talk about ‘anti-racism’ in soccer and you still hear the ‘Famine song’ being sung and it is not being eradicated from Scottish football there’s obviously a clear problem and there is a double standard.
PM: You as a State Rep here in Pennsylvania do you see a role for the global Irish community?
KB: Oh yeah. I see it as my role as an Irish American. I am not restricted by any of the barriers I see in Scotland. That isn’t my day to day reality. I can call it as I see it and I commented on this in my speech at the memorial. When you see the abuse that Neil Lennon has had throughout his career in Scotland, if that happened in the United States to a racial minority or if it happened in Britain to any other racial minority except the Irish.
Well, the action would have been very different.
When I spoke to Neil Lennon after the event on Friday I told him of the huge respect I have for him for all that he has had to put up with. That’s coming from an American perspective and an Irish perspective.
PM: Because your father didn’t go to Glasgow from Gleann Colm Chille. You caught a break there.
KB: Obviously there is a long legacy of tension in Scotland going back to the 1800s.
It is somewhat connected to the Troubles in Northern Ireland and that contributes to that mind-set.
PM: The term you used at the memorial “anti-Irish racism”. That term, in political discourse, in Scotland is largely verboten. Instead when the “Famine song” is mentioned the term “sectarianism” is used. Yet the clear motivating force is a hatred of Irish people.
KB: Yeah, I think that takes the ethnic out of it. It diminishes the offence and the hurt caused to people. I think this issue, like the conflict in Northern Ireland, would be better understood if we stopped using the terms “Catholic” and “Protestant” and instead of focusing on the ethnic, because that is what it is really about.
PM: I have become convinced over the last few years when writing about this issue that we cannot have any faith on the body politic in Scotland to tackle the issue of anti-Irish racism honestly for what it tis. That is why I am so grateful for your interest and your energy and for that I thank you. It is good to know that the Irish community in Scotland has such a friend.
KB: Thank you, my pleasure.
As we sat outside the Fadó Irish bar on 15th and Locust I had to do a double take when I thought that had this confident young man’s father decided, like many in this county, to go to Glasgow instead of the USA then how different and how much less enriched his life would be as someone of Irish ethnicity. As an American he is free to express his Irishness. As a Glaswegian he would not have had that freedom and he understands that.
The Irish in Scotland have a real friend in this young man and I think we will be hearing more from him in the future.
Kevin Boyle
Steve – Cashel. We are right by the Folk Village and Glen Head Tavern.
August 30, 2012 at 4:11 am
Damian
Phil, is their any footage of the philly memorial ceremony anywhere like youtube that can be viewed?
Cant wait to read the book, now lets get to work on getting this memorial in shameful glasgow to remember an gorta mor.
August 26, 2012 at 7:59 am
Jim Wood
It has taken the Irish in Scotland 70 or more years longer to catch up with the indigenous population on this island than our American kin in the US. If not due to racism, what other reason could there have been?
It gives hope and inspiration that such people exist across the ocean.
Great article Phil keep at them.
August 25, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Rusty
If Kevin Boyle was black, he would have much more opportunity in Glasgow than the US. Using he US as a shining light when discussing issues of race is idiotic in the extreme.
August 25, 2012 at 10:03 pm
PaulMc
Where on earth do you get the idea that this piece was portraying the US as a shining light with regards to race Rusty? It’s just not there. You are correct about Kevin Boyle and Glasgow but that is not the issue here. You seem to be looking for any excuse to disagree with some of the opinions in these articles. If you disagree, fine, but you have to come up with better than this.
August 26, 2012 at 3:54 pm
tambutnotbam
The events of 9/11 brought peace to Ireland.
In the circumstances the US could no longer be seen to be taking such an active part in supporting its southern brethren.
At the same time Tony Blair was then ordered to do whatever it took to broker peace from the Brits side.
August 25, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Padraig K
Great article. The thing for me with this is that my life experience to date can relate to the whole thing having been born in Donegal, lived in Scotland for several decades and currently living in New Jersey. My heart will forever be in the hills of Donegal and my affection for Scotland goes as far as my family and friends who live there and the stunning scenery. I do not miss the ugliness of the sheer intolerance by some of another person’s race, religion or creed. The American way of life I have to say is second to none. No one cares what school you went to, what place of worship you prefer to attend if any at all. I work with guys who are all fans of different NFL teams and during the season Monday mornings are highly entertaining as I listen to their “banter”. Never have I heard a derogatory term used during these discussions.
The famine memorial in Philly is quite something and the one in Manhattan is stunning. I wish you every success in your quest to have the powers that be in Glasgow see the relevance of one in that Dear Green Place.
August 25, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Walter Valentine
Frankier, get real, we are a Scottish club with Irish roots. Don’t you dare demean Jock Stein who defended our heritage at every turn. You’re not a Celtic fan.
August 25, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Frankier
macaroni- I agree entirely with you. It’s good to see that some Celtic fans can see the woods despite the trees. There’s no bigger danger, or coward, than the enemy within. Celtic are Irish only to the extent that suits them, like the local “Irish” pubs, and that is to the point where they start losing cash because of the Irish connection. They’ve even managed to relegate Brother Walfrid’s statue to the “bronze” position at the front of the stadium with big Jock Stein in the gold spot. I don’t think that wee fly move has been spotted yet by anyone other than myself, and the ones who connived it of course.
August 25, 2012 at 6:01 pm
thomas cochrane
frankier…….get a life i think you are a nit picking,small minded,smug,biggoted,wee man.the (pionts)you try to make are stupid in the extreme……awa an bile your hied son………i look forward to your retort…….because thats just what it will be…..yours in celtic TC
August 25, 2012 at 8:33 pm
snawbaw
Good article Phil, but if you are bored here is a wee issue you could maybe look into. Could you contact the advertising standards authority and mention to them that the “The Rangers” advert running on Radio Clyde is factually wrong. They state that “The Rangers are then, now and forever” Surely this is wrong??????
August 25, 2012 at 5:07 pm
redversbodkin
erin go bragh bhoys,ERIN GO BRAGH
August 25, 2012 at 4:28 pm
macaroni
Great piece Phil. Highlighting once again a very important issue. There is total denial within Scotland that this issue exists.
And it pains me to say it, some of this denial comes from “our own”. I don’t like to lessen the impact of your point by tying this situation back to football, but there are Celtic fans, some in influential positions inside Celtic Park who seem embarrassed by our Clubs Irish roots and seek to seperate her from them.
We all know that Celtic is an inclusive club, open to all but there is no getting away from the fact that she was formed BY Irish people FOR Irish people.
I recently had a bit of a twitter argument with two fellow tims on this Anti Irish Racism subject. Now one of these guys is usually on the money with his tweets, comments etc but they both totally ridiculed me for suggesting existed ! When I offered my own experiences (Glasgow born to two Irish parents) and those of Neil Lennon, this seemed to rile them even more. Safe to say we had a major difference of opinion. I guess what I’m saying is that I think the major indifference to/denial of this problem from those we consider “our own” is a major stumbling block to this problem being firstly recognised, then tackled and eradicated.
I think my opinion is backed up by the relatively small numbers of comments left on this blog Phil. If this had been one of your top drawer Hun- exposing blockbusters, then interest would be through the roof.
As always, Phil, keep up the good work.
August 25, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Pete Stack
Unfortunately for Kevin there are I believe some restrictions. He would not for instance be able to visit Cuba. I like the inscription – in Spanish and Irish – on a plaque on Calle O’Reilly in central Havana: “Two island people (Cuba and Ireland) in the same sea of struggle and hope”.
Viva Fidel!
August 25, 2012 at 3:41 pm
thomas cochrane
what a breath of fresh air
August 25, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Raymy1
Great insight to the horrible differences in respect for fellow men Phil. I am of an age where I witnessed first hand how the other half lorded it over us as we fought our way through work on the Clyde. An experience that made my late father more of a bitter man than he himself would have liked. This was an experience we relayed to an extremely high ranking member of our clergy not so long ago when he decided to try and join in the, ‘sectarianism is the result of the football divide’ nonsense.
I enjoyed the Q&A in the Harp Phil, cheers.
August 25, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Peter
A good interview Phil, a great perspective, a sad truth.
Keep up the good work.
August 25, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Dal
Prejudice against Celts has been unrelenting since the club was founded. Two clubs have apparently won nine consecutive championships, but only one has achieved it genuinely.
Celts had to contend with match officials who came straight from some secret society. So blatantly anti Celtic, that it’s embarrassing. Most of the guys in hoops came from within a fifty mile radius. Paid a pretty modest salary. In contrast over at dark Ibrox, they did it through underhand payments, having a discredited football establishment in their pockets and pitching in referees like Dallas.
You simply can’t compare these two achievements. One derives from sportsmanship and integrity, the other is basically. corrupt and blemished.
August 25, 2012 at 12:25 pm
ThePublican
“I’m not a lover of the American way of life”
What way would that be exactly?? …and be sure to paint us all with as broad and as over-reaching of a brush as possible. There’s only 300,000,000+ of us last I looked, so I’m sure you’ll cover it.
I love and defend both my Irish and American heritage and am beyond thankful I live in a country where that is possible. I hope for a day that I will be able to visit an Irish memorial in Glasgow like the beautiful one we have here in Philly.
Good to hear you enjoyed your time in Philadelphia Phil, and I’m glad that it seems you were able to meet some Americans who shatter some of the ignorant stereotypes that some still hold. It was a pleasure having you here, thank you again for sharing your knowledge and work with us.
August 25, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Jaume
Hi The Publican,
I mean that people tend to think that America is all about puke rainbows, flowers, love and freedom and, to be honest, America is a country which leaves you the freedom to be rich, but also can leave you on yor own fighting against poverty. No one will take care of you, even if you have cancer no one will notice or do something to help you. No money=no life in America. If you are wealthy, it’s a great place to live in, if not, you will end in trouble … and people tend to forget this under the picture portraited in American films and other nonsense. That’s what I meant. We are speaking about a country which is still racist against negros (look at the state of prisons) and has invaded lots of countries just because of their greed (petrol) while they say they are doing this “for the sake of the world, freedom,etc.”. There’s plenty of good people in America, for sure, but I hate the general portrait people in Europa and the rest of the world have about them while they forget some crucial points.
August 25, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Jaume
Interesting interview Phil! I’m not a lover of the American way of life, but I agree with your main point. This man could have had more problems has his father gone to Scotland and that’s a shame. Hopefully, as the years pass, people will stop looking at AntiIrish racism as “banter” and realise what they are really doing…
Hail Hail
August 25, 2012 at 11:11 am
keighley bhoy
HANDS ACROSS THE OCEANS PHIL, THE MORE THE WORLD IS MADE AWARE OF THE DISCUSTING AND TOTALLY EMBARRASSING ATTITUDE TOWARDS IRISH CULTURE IN SCOTLAND THE BETTER, SCOTLAND AS A NATION WANTING INDEPENDENCE DOESN’T DESERVE THAT RITE UNTIL IT CAN ACCEPT THE HUGE PART THE IRISH HAVE PLAYED IN THE COUNTRIES HISTORY AND ALLOW THEM THE HONOR OF RIGHTFULLY CELEBRATING THE IRISH CULTURE WITHOUT FEAR, UNFORTUNATELY AS ANY IRISH/SCOT KNOWS THIS IS A LIFETIME AWAY IM AFRAID, THE COUNTRY OF MANY CULTURES AND LITTLE TOLERANCE.. HAIL HAIL, SCOTTISH BY BIRTH, IRISH BY DECENT+
August 25, 2012 at 10:54 am
Gerry Gee
Another interesting interview Phil
Look fwd to the book
August 25, 2012 at 10:45 am
Steve
What Townland is KB from?
I’m from An Strath Buí (Straboy)
August 25, 2012 at 10:41 am
Steve
What Townland is he from in Glen? I’m from An Strath Buí (Straboy)
August 25, 2012 at 10:40 am