The Other Irish: The Scots-Irish Rascals Who Made America

What do Mark Twain, Neil Armstrong, and John McCain have in common? They're all descendants of a merry group of Scots-Irish braggarts that crossed the Atlantic from Ireland in the early 1700s and settled in America's South. Also known as the "Other Irish," this wild bunch of patriotic, rebellious, fervently religious rascals gave us the NRA, at least fourteen presidents, decisive victories in the Revolutionary War, a third of today's US Military, country music, __Star Wars__, the Munchkins, American-style Democracy, and even the religious right . . . not to mention NASCAR, whose roots go back to Prohibition-era moonshine runners. Yet few Americans are familiar with the Other Irish or their contributions to American culture. Now author and documentary filmmaker Karen McCarthy shines a probing light on this fascinating topic, illuminating the extent to which the Scots-Irish helped weave the fabric of our nation. A contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, The Other Irish is part of a cross-border cultural outreach project by tracing the journey of the people from the north of Ireland in the early 1700s. Karen F. McCarthy shines a probing light on this fascinating topic, illuminating the extent to which the Scots-Irish helped weave the fabric of our nation. From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Northern Ireland Peace Process: "We are supporting these projects to help overcome the problem of sectarianism and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland as well as strengthening community relations across the island of Ireland. I am grateful to the groups and individuals who carry out this critical work. It remains as important as ever that we support their efforts... These awards support initiatives being undertaken by a wide range of organisations and individuals who have made reconciliation and anti-sectarianism core principles of their work. Recipients included those who are working at the frontline in communities in disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland and the border counties, those involved in cross-community outreach and in organising sensitive commemorative and other cultural activities and events." "A delightful and deeply informative new take on the Scots-Irish who, despite being relatively unknown, made a tremendous contribution to America's culture." —James Flannery Tracing the journey of the people from the north of Ireland in the early 1700s, Karen F. McCarthy shines a probing light on this fascinating topic, illuminating the extent to which the Scots-Irish helped weave the fabric of our nation. Setting down roots primarily in the South, they went on to produce such American icons as Mark Twain, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, George Patton, and Stephen King—as well as a number of US presidents. In addition to novelists and military and political leaders, they also contributed to more colorful aspects of our culture, from moonshine to NASCAR. Despite their outsize role in the history of the United States, the story of these descendants of Ulster Protestants is not widely known. This book tells that story, illuminating a lively and fiercely independent cast of characters over the course of centuries.

What do Mark Twain, Neil Armstrong, and John McCain have in common? Theyre all descendants of a merry group of Scots-Irish braggarts that crossed the Atlantic from Ireland in the early 1700s and settled in Americas South. Also known as the "Other Irish, " this wild bunch of patriotic, rebellious, fervently religious rascals gave us the NRA, at least fourteen presidents, decisive victories in the Revolutionary War, a third of todays US Military, country music, Star Wars, the Munchkins, American-style Democracy, and even the religious right... not to mention NASCAR, whose roots go back to Prohibition-era moonshine runners. Yet few Americans are familiar with the Other Irish or their contributions to American culture. Now author and documentary filmmaker Karen McCarthy shines a probing light on this fascinating topic, illuminating the extent to which the Scots-Irish helped weave the fabric of our nation.

What do Davy Crockett, Mark Twain, and Neil Armstrong have in common? They are descendants of Scots-Irish immigrants who traveled to the new world in the early 1700s. In this book, these remarkably diverse individuals with a shared ancestry include: Andrew Jackson, Gilbert Tennent, George S. Patton, John Rankin and John Caldwell Calhoun, Junior Johnson, William Faulkner, and James E. Webb What do Mark Twain, Neil Armstrong and John McCain have in common? They're all descendants of a merry group of Scots-Irish braggarts that crossed the Atlantic from Ireland in the early 1700s and settled in America's South. This title illuminates the extent to which the Scots-Irish helped weave the fabric of the American nation.