I understand. I get your grandmother as well, my dad was the same.

We were visiting Mom's sister & her family. Dad was sitting in a room with us kids. I asked him why he wasn't out with everyone else. He said he didn't want to be just another drunk Indian. Given I later found out his brother was an alcoholic, it made sense.

If it helps any, we don't think drinking when we hear of the Irish. However the general population... yes, that's all they think at this point thanks to St Patrick's Day's marketing.