Irish People

Irish people : stereotypes, personalities ,

surnames.

The Irish people are a nation and ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been inhabited for about 9,000 years according to archaeological studies 

▪For most of Ireland's recorded history, the Irish have been primarily a Gaelic people▪ Anglo-Normans conquered parts of Ireland in the 12th century, while England's 16th/17th century (re)conquest and colonization of Ireland brought a large number of English and Lowland Scots to parts of the island.

The  Lebor Gabála Érenn, a medieval Christian pseudo-history of Ireland, traces the Irish to key Biblical figures. It says that the Irish people's earliest forebears came to Ireland via Scythia and Iberia

The population of Ireland is about 6.3 million

Historically, emigration from Ireland has been the result of conflict, famine and economic issues. People of Irish descent are found mainly in English-speaking countries; especially Great Britain, the United States of America, Canada and Australia. There are also significant numbers in Argentina and Mexico.

The United States has the largest number of Irish descendants, while in Australia those of Irish descent are a higher percentage of the population than in any other country

Who is Black Irish?!

Irish people who have dark hair, brown eyes and dark complexions are often referred to as Black Irish. In some places, at times, immigrants from Ireland have been called this term, often in a derogatory manner. There are even believed to be some people who are not of Irish descent who have used this term to refer to themselves in order to conceal their true ancestry

Black Irish

One popular theory suggests the Black Irish are descendants of survivors of the Spanish Armada, despite research discrediting such claims.

Stereotypical Irish

Some Common Stereotypes About Irish People

• They drink too much.• All Hail the Potato! • Tea Cures Anything that Ails you • Obsession with the Weather• Gift of the Gab• Death• Putting off stuff• Cadbury’s Chocolate and Tayto Crisps.

Surnames

The Irish were among the first people in Europe to use surnames as we know them Today. It is very common for people of Gaelic origin to have the English versions of their surnames beginning with "O'" or "Mc".

"O'" comes from the Gaelic Ó which in turn came from Ua, which means "grandson", or "descendant" of a named person: Ó Bánion , Ó Briain ,Ó Cheallaigh,,Ó Néill, O'Coiligh"Mac" or "Mc" means "son“Mac Cárthaigh, Mac Diarmada, Mac Domhnaill, Mac Mathghamhna

Viktoria Kvaratskhelia. 2015

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