Why do people feel really proud to admit this?

ALL the people I know who have some sort of paperthin connection with Ireland seem to celebrate it as if its some sort of badge of honour.

They also like to distance themselves from 'the English'.

Surely you'd be more ashamed than proud to admit your Irish heritage? And why one would distance themselves from their English roots is baffling!

"I drink Guiness, me, and nowt but! I'm Irish at heart!"