I recently got my non-id info revealing that both b-mom and b-dad were from Ireland.... apparently my bdad is still there and bmom may have emigrated here in the '70s. I love finally knowing that and am still getting a handle on 'being' Irish -
like other posters here I also feel influenced by my parents' nationalities/cultures of German and Italian.
MamOttawa - YES religion is very important to many Irish. My birthmother also requested I be adopted by a Catholic family, which I was. Additionally, I found out that I was baptized by my birthmom before I was adopted! I was also named - you guessed it - can you get any more Irish Catholic than.....Mary? Yep! I was re-baptized by my adoptive parents. Maybe so they could have a party.
I've had those little Irish incidents throughout my life. I love yours!