Happy St Patrick's Day Irish Rhinos!

My good friend Pat Croce gave me the nickname “Irish” about 5 years ago. There are certain people I have met through Pat that only call me “Irish.”  It’s a name I wear with pride.

With St. Patrick's Day upon us it’s easy to think of beer, ham and cabbage and wearing the green. But there is something much more special about being Irish (besides our amazing livers!)

The Irish have suffered hundreds of years of starvation, persecution, poverty and discrimination, but they have managed to become writers, presidents, have become powerful in every country in the world, and they have accomplished this while maintaining a humorous attitude and a positive outlook.  They have managed to charge through wars, racism and poverty, while keeping focused on creating a better life for their family.

My family came from Ireland in the 1840's.  Irish Catholics were fleeing Ireland for a better life free of famine and religious discrimination.  When they came to America, one side settled in farm country in Maryland and another went to coal country in Pennsylvania.  They came to the US looking for the "streets of gold," but they soon learned that the streets weren't paved at all—much less with gold.  Then they realized the Irish were the low cost labor force expected to pave them.  They soon were confronted with signs saying "Irish Need Not Apply," "No Mick's Allowed,"  "No Catholics Allowed," and ‘Paddy Wagon’ was not a term of endearment! Did they give up? Did they whine and complain? No!  They charged through every adversity that blocked their mission to create a better life.  The focused on working hard and creating opportunities.

They also found any work possible. They worked in the coal mines, the railroads, and farming.  They worked for pennies a day. Their young boys started working in the Pennsylvania coal mines at 6 years of age.  They faced adversity, and they made the best of it.  They held true to their beliefs, their dreams and their goals.  In my own family, one generation was in the coal mine, and the next generation was in medical school.  It’s the American Dream come true! This just goes to show that if you work hard, accept responsibility, and apply yourself, you can provide a better life for you and your children. Don't make excuses, make opportunities!

It doesn't matter your color, your race, or your religion. With dedicated hard work, you can improve your position in life and this world. Every generation can move forward further than the previous. That is what the Irish taught us.

When I think of why the Irish were able to move forward so rapidly from poverty to success it comes down to a few major points:

Attitude-- The Irish are known for their perseverance, wit, hospitality and work ethic.

Future Focused-- The Irish always dream of the future and talk about brighter days.  They knew they wouldn't be in the coal mines forever, but they knew they had to prove their value in America. They suffered horrible conditions, poor pay and moved forward. They didn't spend the next 75 years complaining about their first 75 years in America. The moved beyond their past to create their future.

Optimistic-- Somehow with hundreds of years of war, starvation, persecution and poverty, the Irish managed to maintain a positive outlook on life. Somehow they focused on the fact that their best day had not happened yet. This optimism kept them working and moving forward every day.

So this St Patrick's Day, raise your pint to the Irish. If you are Irish, take a moment to thank your Irish Rhino relatives that worked 20 hour days for pennies in coal mines, that took worthless dirt and worked it to useable farmland, that laid the railroads that helped create the industrial revolution all while they were being told "Irish Need Not Apply."  They sacrificed so we can live our dreams and their Rhino Attitude is buried deep within us.

Cheers to all my Rhino Relatives, all of my Kildare's Irish Pub family and to all our Rhino's on this St. Patrick's Day!

To learn more, check out “The Irish: Two Countries, One Heart” on PBS!

Charge!

Dave