The Irish American family has undergone significant changes in the past century. Because of high rates of intermarriage with other white ethnics, Irish American families have essentially assimilated into mainstream culture. With the passage of time, most Irish Americans are now removed by as many as five generations from their Irish roots albeit Irish immigration to America continues at a steady pace. Most Irish Americans simply consider themselves "American" yet strong nationalist and religious affiliations contribute to a persistent sense of ethnic self-identity among this group.
The struggle for independence in Ireland stimulates strong feelings from some Irish Americans. The bitterness of this quest has left an indelible mark and fostered ties between immigrant and homeland: "Few nations in Europe witnessed as fervent and as drawn out a struggle for national independence as did Catholic Ireland. Few nations in Europe inspired their sons and daughters to fight their bloody battles more fiercely or to praise their native land more strongly" (Diner, 1983, p. 2).
One gauge of the intense interest that many Irish Americans have in the outcome of the Irish struggle is the level of support for the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Irish Americans have long been a source of financial and other resources for Irish natives engaged in resisting the British occupation forces. As one Irish American reminisced about his immigrant grandfather, "I know when he was younger he used to make cakes in the kitchen with guns in them and send them to Ireland. But he has not done that in a while" (Waters, 1990, p. 141). Fund raising efforts were once confined to homes and bars, and occasional raffles and dances. Support for Irish resistance has now become sophisticated and mainstream. Sinn Fein, the political arm of the IRA, now focuses its American fund raising on expensive cocktail parties and exclusive dinners: "Americans have given [...