“The Irish were not wanted there”

— Robert F. Kennedy

AP report with lead summarizing of remarks stating "Robert F. Kennedy said yesterday that the United States — despite Alabama violence — is moving so fast in race relations a Negro could be President in 40 years." "Negro President in 40 Years?" in Montreal Gazette (27 May 1961) http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19610527&id=y40tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F50FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5424,5208719
Context: The Irish were not wanted there [when his grandfather came to Boston]. Now an Irish Catholic is president of the United States … There is no question about it. In the next 40 years a Negro can achieve the same position that my brother has. … We have tried to make progress and we are making progress … we are not going to accept the status quo. … The United States Government has taken steps to make sure that the constitution of the United States applies to all individuals.

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Robert F. Kennedy 72

American politician and brother of John F. Kennedy 1925–1968

Jennifer Armstrong (1961) American children's writer

Source: Becoming Mary Mehan

“The choice was clearly open: crush them with vain and unstinted force, or try to give them what they want. These were the only alternatives, and though each had ardent advocates, most people were unprepared for either. Here indeed was the Irish spectre — horrid and inexorcisable.”

Winston S. Churchill book The World Crisis

The World Crisis, Volume V : the Aftermath (1929), Churchill, Butterworth (London).
Early career years (1898–1929)

“I only wanted to ask the Tanaiste if he now officially endorses cronyism and patronage in Irish politics.”

Joe Higgins (1949) Irish socialist politician

Joe Higgins while being told to sit down by the Ceann Comhairle as he addressed Michael McDowell in September 2006. Irish Independent http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hurricane-dail-sweeps-new-boy-mcdowell-off-his-feet-80724.html

“The Irish caught hell, the Jews caught hell, the Polacks caught hell. We want Ward 8 to be the model of diversity.”

Marion Barry (1936–2014) American politician and former mayor of Washington, D.C.

May 24, 2012 http://archive.is/R6lWp
2010s

“I want you to shake the hands of every Minister in the Provisional Government ( Irish Free State )who's responsible for my death. I forgive them and so must you, Erskine. The second will apply if ever you go into Irish politics. You must not speak of my execution in public.”

Robert Erskine Childers (1870–1922) Irish nationalist and author

Robert Erskine's last jail cell words to his son, also named Erskine, in November 1922. His son would become President of Ireland 52 years later. Cited in " The Riddle of Erskine Childers " By Andrew Boyle, Hutchinson, London (1977), pg. 320.
Literary Years and War (1900-1918), Last Years: Ireland (1919-1922)