I wish there were a place where sprightly people in green suits and jaunty hats wished me top o the mornin’ but alas, it isn’t so. We must adjust.
Top 10 Irish Stereotypes
10. Irish Alcoholism
Irish pub culture is known worldwide and has contributed to the stereotype that Irish people drink all of the time. It’s important to note that even Irish people who abstain from alcohol completely still enjoy the camaraderie and atmosphere of their local pub. According to Ireland’s National Documentation Centre On Drug Use, alcohol consumption per capita peaked in 2001 and has steadily gone down each year since then.
While Ireland is included with the rest of Western Europe amongst the world’s most frequent drinkers, Forbes Magazine conducted a study in 2008 that stated, “After a surge in binge drinking during the mid-1990s, Western Europe has sobered up substantially as greater affluence, education and the professionalization of the work force have changed drinking patterns.”
9. Irish cuisine
Yes, the Irish still love potatoes of all forms, and if you’ve never had a traditional Irish fry up for breakfast, you’re missing out on a great pleasure. Modern Irish cuisine is a far cry from standard fish and chips and stew. When potatoes were introduced into Ireland in the 16th century it came to be the main food crop of the poor. With greater prosperity and a stronger world presence, Irish cuisine has evolved to include dishes from all over the world. New Irish dishes incorporate traditional ingredients like fresh shellfish, local cheeses, and Ireland’s beautiful produce in fresh ways.
8. Irish culture
Ireland is credited worldwide for their traditional folk music and dance but Ireland’s contribution to visual art including sculpture and stained glass is sadly lesser known. Sculptor Jerome Connor, painter Beatrice Elvery, and and stained glass artist Harry Clarke all hailed from Ireland. Many districts where the government recognizes that traditional Irish is the primary language are referred to as Gaeltacht districts. In these districts, traditional Irish is the primary language spoken in homes and schools and all road signs are in traditional Irish.
7. Irish economy
Historically one of the poorest countries in Europe, Ireland transformed in the 1980’s and 90’s from an agricultural economy to a high-tech economy and was one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. This period of rapid economic growth gave the Irish economy the nickname “Celtic Tiger.” Unfortunately, a 2008 financial crisis has sent Ireland into a recession.
Ireland is expected to recover its prosperity over the next decade due to its highly skilled, educated workforce. According to Dr Robert E Kennedy, head of business administration at the University of Michigan, “within the next 10 years Ireland’s growth rates will be higher than the economies of main competitors such as Germany and France which are not as flexible as the Irish economy. There are far more restrictions and regulations in these larger economies than there are in Ireland. If you asked me what the picture will be like in 10 years’ time I would put big money on a bet that Ireland will outperform these larger countries.”
6. Irish style
You won’t see the streets of Dublin filled with lads in kilts and lasses in folk skirts. School kids wear uniforms like those of private schools throughout Europe and the US. College kids wear jeans and sweaters, professionals wear suits, and young women out for a night on the town wear sexy club attire. High fashion Irish clothing is inspired by internationally renowned designers like Louise Kennedy. Forget about cable knit sweaters and tweed caps.
5. Northern Ireland is unsafe for travel
The Irish civil war, known as “the troubles” lasted from the 1960s through the late 1990s. Civil rights groups, political activists, the British government, and several paramilitary organizations (such as the IRA) fought over “home rule.” The Republic of Ireland wanted the entire island to be a self contained country of its own while Northern Ireland wanted to remain under British rule. Conflict within Northern Ireland sprung from unrest between the mostly Catholic nationalist community and mostly Protestant unionist community . In the end, Northern Ireland remains part of the UK while the Republic of Ireland is a self governing country of it’s own. Since the 1998 Belfast Agreement all parties have worked in cooperation with each other and travel is quite safe.
4. Irish tempers
The history of Ireland is indeed full of violence – as is the history of most countries. Their fight for autonomy from the time of the ancient Celts to the their struggle to become an independent nation may be responsible for the term “fighting Irish.” American discrimination against Irish immigrants after the potato famine in 1847 may also have contributed. Irish immigrants were stereotyped as stupid, dirty, and lazy. “Irish Need Not Apply” signs were a common in U.S. shop fronts. Irish Americans had to fight their way through oppression and into main stream society. The average Irish person is no more prone to bad temper than any other nationality.
3. Irish Red Heads
Historically, red hair has been considered unlucky. The myth of the Irish red head most likely comes from the popular 1952 movie “The Quiet Man” which starred a fiery Irish red head and a wide array of other inaccurate Irish stereotypes.
2. Irish Catholic
According to the Archdiocese of Dublin, Catholic church attendance in Ireland is in steady decline. The current generation of young adults in Ireland still identify themselves as culturally Catholic even though many no longer go to Mass or confession. Many religions are respected and represented and there are publicly funded Presbyterian, Jewish, and Muslim schools.
1. Irish gift of gab
This tiny country has produced literary greats James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, and William Butler Yeats. Clever conversation and witty debate can be found at any local pub. The real difference in American and Irish culture is what the Irish aren’t telling you. While the Irish are known for their hospitality and conversational skill, they often use the gift of gab to say much while giving little away. Most Irish people are uncomfortable airing personal problems in public and prefer to chat about the weather, sport, or political debate.