Quotes About Belonging

I grew up thinking of myself as an American but also, because of my parents and the Iranian culture that was in our home, as an Iranian. So if there's any such thing as dual loyalty, then I have it - at least culturally.

I'm a first-generation American, so I had friends from several cultures while growing up, including Indian and Iranian friends.

I don't consider myself an Iranian comedian; I consider myself a comedian who happens to be of Iranian descent.

We would not give up our own country - Ireland - if we were to get the whole world as an estate, and the Country of the Young along with it.

I spend most of my time in London but I come back to Ireland whenever I can.

I've always felt a bit hard done by in England - you know, I've won the Bisto three times in Ireland, but it has felt like nobody has even heard of me in my home country.

Ireland is home. And I'd love to move home. That's always been the plan.

As you can hear, I am English - I am from England - and it was really good playing for Ireland.

My family are very happy that I'm playing with Ireland. It's my dad's side, and he's really, really proud. He wants me to play for Ireland, and I'm really happy to play for Ireland.

If I didn't want to be playing for Ireland, I wouldn't be here.

In Ireland, I have 50-something cousins. My dad is one of six or seven and it's my second home. I am so proud to be from there.

Irish Americans are no more Irish than Black Americans are Africans.

My Irish derivation has nothing to do with me. Why should it?

I'm from Salford, and I don't have any immediate Irish connection.

Being Irish means you belong to the clan. It's what you feel. They feel Irish.

When I'm in L.A., I'm part of the Irish community out there, and I just love it.

I feel myself part of something. Not only being part of a community but part of an actual moment and a movement of Irish writing and art. That sense of being part of the whole thing is the deepest joy.

The fact is, I've always felt more British than Irish. Maybe it was the way I was brought up, I don't know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the U.K. than with Ireland.

Irish people never think we're Irish. Americans think we're European or French.

I am an Irish person. I'm an Irishman, but I'm also an Ulsterman.

My parents are Irish, my grandparents are Irish, my great-grandparents are Irish. I was born in England; my blood is Irish.

I don't feel I have to defend myself for being English or for being Irish, because, in a way, I don't feel either. And, in another way, of course, I'm both.

For me, being Catholic was who I was and who I am, just like I'm Irish and Slovak. It's just so ingrained in us.

I'm a product of my Irish culture, and I could no more lose that than I could my sense of identity.