The college going rate is very high there and Irish people are a very attractive proposition for American employers.

Then, Irish people are traditionally very good with their hands too.

Unfortunately, perhaps, most young Irish after acquiring their qualifications will go to America, England, Australia... even the most far flung places as they are very adaptable.

What this leaves is the dregs of society, the Eastern Europeans taking all the low income jobs (which means school/college aged Irish find it hard to find employment and have to leave) and a generous helping of African immigrants who don't want to work and just go there to take advantage of a broken welfare system.