
About this episode
Why does Joe Biden often refer to his mother's Irish ancestry but not his father's English roots? Why does being "Irish" in America have such cachet? In this episode, Adam talks to Professors Kevin Kenny of New York University and David Gleeson from Northumbria University to explore the complex history of Irishness in American culture. From the "wild Irish" of the southern backcountry, through to the political fixers of Tammany Hall and the challenges that John F. Kennedy's (Irish) Catholicism caused him, Adam and his guests talk about how a community that was once so reviled came to embody key aspects of what it means to be an American.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Last Best Hope? publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Last Best Hope?

The Battle over the 250th Anniversary
The Last Best Hope?
Jun 24, 202655:53pending

Why America Doesn't Love Soccer (Except When It Does)
The Last Best Hope?
Jun 10, 202636:54pending

1776 and the break up of the United States
The Last Best Hope?
May 27, 202638:48pending

The idea of America in British politics
The Last Best Hope?
May 13, 202650:13pending