The American Presidents (just add Barack Obama)
Did you know that 22 of the 43 American Presidents could claim some Irish heritage? And nine of the last ten Commanders-In-Chief have been Irish American? Lyndon Johnson was the spoiler there. Of course, President Kennedy is the only Irish Catholic President, ever. Click here to see the full list of our Irish American Presidents.
I have always been partial to our 11th president, James K. Polk (1844-1849). In the fifth grade I did an oral report on him. His Irish roots were on his father’s side. Two more things I remember about President Polk: he established the Smithsonian Museum and he issued the first postal stamp. Look at what he had to say about Congress back in 1847:
“There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S.”
Funny, isn’t it, how little things change?
As an Irish American, I am proud of all our American Presidents with Irish heritage, aren’t you?
The Irish in America 
June 26, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Good point. I had heard some time ago that most of our Presidents were Scots-Irish, which I guess is pretty much the same claim. I’m clicking to see your full list. Natural-born leaders. : ))
June 26, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Indeed, Mariann! For many of the Presidents with Irish heritage , particularly the ealier ones, they are actually Scots-Irish. They still came from the island of Ireland, right? 🙂