Truth is, the Irish never stopped coming to America.
There have been Irish immigrants for every era of our history since the mid-1800s.
And thank goodness for the ranks of TV. They are some of the most recognizable actors in prime time.
Ciaran O’Reilly, producing director of the Irish Repertory Theatre, explains the Irish touch this way: “They are from a nation of storytellers.”
They are even breaking into reality TV.
“Wicked Single,” set in South Boston around a group of Irish-American 20-somethings (“They’re loud, they’re real, and they’re ready to party!” goes the promo), debuts Sunday night — St. Paddy’s Day, no coincidence — on VH1.
Here are some of the Irish-born faces that make TV green with attitude.
Gabriel Byrne, “VIKINGS”
“Vikings” is the latest series for the Dublin-born actor, who also starred as a therapist Dr. Paul Weston on HBO’s “In Treatment.” His role as Viking leader Earl Haraldson is a complete departure. He has had a long career in movies (“The Usual Suspects’; “Miller’s Crossing”).
Kevin Ryan, “COPPER”
As Detective Francis Maguire, actor Kevin Ryan is well cast, as he is from Dublin and the BBC America drama is set in the notorious Five Points slum, where many Irish immigrants lived.
Allen Leech, “DOWNTON ABBEY”
Sexy widower Tom Branson may end up running the castle, now that Matthew is dead. Leech is from Dublin.
Jack Gleeson, “GAME OF THRONES”
Joffrey Baratheon is the sadistic little mama’s boy of the epic fantasy. He was born in Cork.
Jason O’Mara, “VEGAS”
The Dublin-born actor now plays Deputy Jack Lamb on CBS’s “Vegas,” but knocked about for years in one sketchy TV series after another. Anyone remember “Life on Mars”? Or the sci-fi disaster ‘Terra Nova” on Fox?
Colm Meaney and Dominique Mcelligott,
“HELL ON WHEELS”
Dublin’s Meaney has been a character actor for decades now and his role as corrupt railroad baron Thomas Durant on “Hell on Wheels” is one of his juiciest. On that same show. Dominique McElligott, also from the Irish capital, plays widow Lily Bell who must be thinking what the hell is a nice girl like me doing out here in the American wilderness?