I do believe some Irish lads *might have been* tossed out of Boston and other cities after landin' in America from the old sod.
In order to preserve the best of their spirit, they went on to Texas to settle and keep it alive!
LOL
(now, what prize do I get?!)
http://www.texascooking.com/features/mar99irishdrinks.htm
When it comes to spirits, the Irish know what they're doing. Oh sure, you've got your White Russians, your French 75's, your Flying Dutchmen, but Irish drinks are somehow validated merely by their association with the word "Irish."
An integral part of many Irish drinks, of course, is Irish whiskey. The whiskey of the Irish bears a resemblance to Scotch whiskey and for good reason. The Irish probably brought the distillation process to the west coast of Scotland during their efforts to Christianize the Scots. Says Gary Regan in The Bartender's Bible, "It probably went a long way to convincing the Scots that Christianity was fine religion."