Quote Originally Posted by O'Callaghan View Post
I never say I'm Irish, usually something like English with Irish on my mother's side. I agree that it's an American thing to say you are Irish/scottish when you aren't. OTOH, as for only being able to say that you are Scottish or Irish if you were born there, I don't agree with that either, because it's not in fact true. I tend to go by actual nationality, and that is not what the laws say.

For Scotland it's more complicated, as there's no Scottish nationality, but I'd try to apply the same rules as for British nationality. You are British if you or you father were born there, or if you were born since 1987 and your mother was born there, or if you were born before that and you grandfather was born there. I would say that if anyone can claim to be British by way of a Scot in their family then they are actually Scottish even if they have never seen Scotland. ETA, I think, for example, that makes McMurdo a Scot, not merely someone of Scots descent, although he is Canadian.

Irish nationality is different. Those of Irish descent can claim Irish cititzenship 'by association' for an infinite number of generations, with one major catch. If one ancestor breaks the chain by not claiming Irish nationality, then you're done, and future generations can't claim it. I think of my grandfather as Irish, but AFAIK he never claimed Irish citizenship, and it's too late now, as he can't sign anything where he's gone. So, I could have been Irish if the claim had been made in the past, but sadly I'm not. FWIW, though, if you can show that you had an Irish grandparent you can still get your Irish passport. This is not atall the same as naturalisation.

The point is, it's governments that decide who qualifies to be Irish/Scottish/You name it, so if you do have the passport or are eligible and someone says you aren't Scottish/Irish/etc. because you weren't born here, they are talking complete b*ll*cks!

One final word. For most nationalities, and certainly for British and Irish nationality, becoming a US citizen DOES NOT take away your other nationality. The renunciation that you have to swear has no effect whatsoever UNLESS the laws of the other country say it does (and there are very few such countries). The USA has no say whatever in whether you are or aren't a citizen of another country, and no law that Congress ever passes can ever give them that power, because their writ ends at the US border, notwithstanding any delusions of grandeur some US politicians may have to the contrary.
Really? Facinating, as my great-grandfather did sign that he was, (a Callahan no less) and my grandmother is still alive...