According to Irish, he grew up poor and hungry. Raised Catholic by a mother and a father who always told him to "never trust a welshman", and his father would soon have his throat slit possibly by one. Irish emigrated to the United States at fourteen years old shortly after being caught in bed with his brother's wife. During the boat ride to America, Irish met and befriended two other immigrants, French and Welsh. In Irish's words, they became "as thick as thieves" ever since.