Ireland and America are two nations that historically have had a close bond ever since the Irish Famine occurred. Today that bond remains as strong as ever.
Since the Famine occurred in 1845, Ireland and America have formed a very strong connection and bond that has only strengthened over time.
This bond results from mutual respect and admiration between the two countries as both have benefitted each other’s societies in many different ways.
In this article, we list the top five reasons Ireland and America have a close bond.
5. American direct investment in Ireland – investing in a brighter future
American direct investment in Ireland has played a hugely positive role in the growth and modernisation of Irish industry since the 1980s and encouraged rapid growth of the Irish economy.
This direct investment from America has helped to provide Ireland with new technology, new export capabilities, and employment opportunities.
American direct investment has benefitted not only Ireland but also these American corporations as they are liable to pay a lot less tax in Ireland thanks to its favourable corporation tax rate.
4. America is Ireland’s largest export partner – lucrative business partners
One of the reasons Ireland and America have a close bond is undoubtedly down to business.
America is Ireland’s largest export partner and second-largest import partner. The trade relationship accounts for 23.2% of Ireland’s exports and 14.1% of Irish imports as of a study in 2010.
To this day, America still remains as Ireland’s biggest trading partner outside of the European Union, with trade between the two countries being worth billions.
The majority of American products imported to Ireland tend to be things such as electrical components, pharmaceuticals, computers, and livestock feed, amongst other things.
Whereas the majority of exports to America from Ireland tend to be things such as alcohol, chemicals, clothing, textiles, and glassware.
3. America’s involvement in Irish politics – lending a helping hand
America has helped Ireland politically by playing a pivotal role in helping bring the Troubles in Northern Ireland to a peaceful and sustainable end.
In the 1990s, America took on an intermediary role during the Northern Ireland peace process.
The States encouraged cohesion and discussion between the opposing parties. This ultimately led to the monumental reaching of the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998
This agreement has remained the foundation for the peace process ever since.
America admirably took on this intermediary role. However, this caused a rift between themselves and the United Kingdom, with whom they had previously had a good relationship.
2. One-third of Americans have Irish blood – a shared heritage between two nations
As you can imagine, the Irish roots that run through American blood is one of the reasons Ireland and America have a close bond.
Irish immigration has played such a large role in the culture of America. So, it should come as no surprise that approximately 33.3 million Americans have been reported as having Irish ancestry.
Staggeringly this makes up 10.5% of the overall American population. Thus, naturally, many American people tend to have a great affinity for Irish people and the island of Ireland as a whole.
1. Impact of Irish immigration on American society – a positive effect from the hardworking Irish
In first place on our list of top five reasons Ireland and America have a close bond is the positive impact that Irish immigration had on the building of American society.
We also recognise the positive effect it had on the lives of the immigrants.
The Irish immigrants who entered America from the 16th to 20th centuries helped change the American nation.
They made great contributions to literature, music, art, politics, religion, and organised labour, amongst many other things.
They also made many contributions to American cultures, such as the introduction of Halloween. This tradition evolved from the ancient Celtic/Gaelic festival of Samhain and is now a major holiday in the States.
For America’s part, it helped to change the lives of the Irish immigrants significantly. It helped many escape from the destitution, hunger, poverty, and often persecution that they faced in their homeland.
Leaving Ireland for the United States afforded them with opportunities that they otherwise would never have received.
That concludes our article on the top five reasons Ireland and America have a close bond.
Are there any other reasons that you can think of as to why these two nations are linked in friendship?
