To tell you the truth, I think it goes back to the turn of the century Irish vs the WASPs BS.
That just amazes me.:(
I'm 3/4 Irish by blood and a descendant from one of the pre-depression (all left now is a street name) Detroit political families(democrat). I grew up in the country(now exurb), but both of my parents were Detroiters.
In the past, many democrats were for the "workin' man" - and less government(Jacksonian Democrats) while many republicans were from remnants of the "Know-Nothings" and "Temperance" groups. The party of my ancestors is no longer the party of Grover Cleveland, Zell Miller, Truman, Scoop Jackson, or even JFK. Even the Dingells and Moynihans(liberal, but not Michael Moore types) are a dying breed.
I can not see any even remotely practicing Irish Catholic fit in with the party of George Soros.
I'd like to campaign in the Irish sections of South Boston at least once though. I'd just once like to say that "Even Archbishop John Hughes wasn't a democrat(independent and even voted Whig for Seward). :)"