Scituate 30 miles from Boston is home to the highest population density of Irish Americans in the U.S. In the latest census data almost 50 percent of residents there are of Irish decent. It is one of a cluster of towns on Boston’s South Shore that Irish have colonized. At least 44 percent of the population in Braintree, Hull, Marshfield, Avon, Pembroke, and Milton claim Irish ancestry also, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Breezy Point, New York and Spring Lake, New Jersey begged to differ -- both claiming the title. Breezy Point has the highest numbers of Irish according to the census, at 60.3. But the problem is the beautiful area on the outskirts of Rockaway in Queens is not a proper incorporated town. It is actually a massive co-operative combining three smaller areas. In 1962 the residents purchased 500 acres of land from the government at below value cost and the community became a co-operative. The Census Bureau says only that it has the highest number of Irish per zip code, not that it is the largest town with Irish population. Spring Lake New Jersey is also claiming the prize. Spring Lake is an ocean community that swells with vacationers during the summer. It is famous for the shark attacks in 1916 that killed four victims and inspired Jaws. The census in 2000 said that 39 per cent of the population was of Irish extraction. Scituate, a much larger town, at 17,000 residents as against 3,500, has almost 50 per cent. So Scituate keeps its title as most Irish town in America. New York and New Jersey six other towns in Massachusetts have a larger Irish population.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Which is the most Irish town in America?
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Insight from New Joizey -- We have friends who are three-generation residents of Breezy Point and that is also largely a summer community, but with a totally different vibe than Spring Lake. Spring Lake has big houses with grassy lawns and wrap-around porches and wide streets, know at least since my father's youth as the "Irish Riviera." When someone around here wears neon-green pants for St. Patrick's Day, we call them "Spring Lake Jackass Pants." Breezy Point properties are much smaller, cheek-by-jowl, with vibrantly creative decor. There are no streets, just pathways, and no cars. It has a lively social life that goes back generations centered on a little bar & grill on the beach.
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