The Irish have contributed to American culture in many ways. Nineteen presidents of the United States have claimed Irish heritage including our current president, George W. Bush. Nine of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were Irish Americans as were over one-third of the American troops during the Revolutionary War. Irish immigrants built many of America's bridges, canals, and railroads.
Irish Americans have made numerous contributions to the arts. One of the most well-known Irish American authors is Eugene O'Neill who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1920 for his drama "Beyond the Horizon," and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936. Another Irish American author, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, is regarded as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.
Today, one in about every four Americans has Irish ancestry. To find anything in America that has not been affected by Irish culture seems a daunting and difficult task.
Irish Americans have made numerous contributions to the arts. One of the most well-known Irish American authors is Eugene O'Neill who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1920 for his drama "Beyond the Horizon," and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936. Another Irish American author, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, is regarded as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.
Today, one in about every four Americans has Irish ancestry. To find anything in America that has not been affected by Irish culture seems a daunting and difficult task.
