Sir, – While recognising the mutually affectionate relationship between the Clintons and Ireland, media coverage of the New York Democratic primary build-up perpetuated the ongoing misrepresentation of the Irish community in the Big Apple.
It is true that Hillary Clinton enjoys almost universal approval among what might be termed the “official” Irish-American network, which revolves around lower Manhattan and a string of back-slapping non-profit organisations. However, any analysis that holds this to be representative of broader Irish-American sentiment is incorrect.
A district-by-district analysis of the Democratic primary is clear. Every single area of modern-day Irish demographic dominance across the five boroughs of New York city returned a majority for Bernie Sanders. Woodlawn, Sunnyside, Woodside, Breezy Point and Staten Island are among areas where blue-collar and white-collar Irish-Americans, who live surrounded by the majority of contemporary Irish migrants and retain active links with the country, voted in favour of Mr Sanders.
I have no dog in this hunt but repeatedly viewing Irish-America through the lense of a small cadre of well-connected individuals and institutions is an immense frustration.
If reporters wish to learn what Irish communities in New York think, they would be best served polling the bars of McLean Avenue, the stands in Gaelic Park or the sidelines of a high-school game in the Rockaways.
These places may not be as glamorous or feature in Cara magazine quite so much as others, but they are more meaningfully Irish-American than those that normally feature in such coverage. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT LOWERY,
The Bronx,
New York.