Never accepted?

There was an interesting conversation at knitting last night...one woman has been living in Wicklow Town for 12 years, yet is still considered a blow-in.  Now, she's originally from NYC, but honestly, I couldn't hear her American accent at all (I've figured it out...if you live with someone, you pick up their accent, but if you live with someone who has the same as you, you don't.  But your kids pick up the accent of their friends!).

12 years and you're still a blow in?!  Come on!  I know on our street (7 years now!) we're fully accepted, and are members of our little community.  But that is insane!!  I'm sure there's going to be talk of "Ah, sure, they're country folk.." but really...

There's been an interesting back and forth going on at the Dublin Community Blog about immigrants and work permits (60 comments!!), and I think it shows some of the xenophobia that happens here, which really can permeate sometimes.  But I have to say you all have only shown me love, which I appreciate...