Irish stereotypes – All Things Good

The Irish: Fightin’ For Respect

Katharine Rose Armour of Light March 11, 2015April 11, 2017Fighting Irish, fighting irish stereotype, Gaelic, Gaelic Revival, Great Potato Famine, History of Ireland, Irish America, Irish americans, Irish emigration, Irish history, Irish Language Movement, Irish proverbs, Irish stereotypes 0 Comment

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day 2015, ATG is exploring “All Things Irish” for the next couple weeks. Below we debunk the “Fighting Irish” stereotype. Stay tuned for more!

For all of their well-known and esteemed attributes, such as hospitality, loyalty, friendliness and humor, the Irish have never been able to escape the “fighting Irish” stigma – the stereotype of being drunkard, hotheaded and “barbaric” people.

Indeed, famous Irish proverbs read: “An Irishman is never at peace except when he’s fighting”, “Better be quarreling than lonesome” and “The Irish don’t know what they want and are prepared to fight to the death to get it.”

A look back at the history of the Irish – particularly Irish immigrants in America – however, sheds some light on why, in many ways, the Irish just can’t help their “fighting” instincts. Read more

Irish Pride, Catholic Guilt & Not “Particularly Huggy”

Katharine Rose Rose's Ridge March 9, 2015April 5, 2017Catholic church, Catholic guilt, Ireland, Irish American, Irish American Catholics, Irish American culture, Irish American History, Irish Catholics, Irish fatalism, Irish humility, Irish humor, Irish Need Not Apply, Irish pride, Irish stereotypes, Irish virtues, Second Vatican Council, St. Paddy's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Tammany Hall 5 Comments

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day 2015, ATG is exploring “All Things Irish” for the next couple weeks. We begin with the below feature on Irish American culture. Stay tuned for more!

“It’s amateur hour”, Mr. Bryan O’Connor* says of St. Patrick’s Day. “I mean, I don’t have to display the fact that I’m Irish – leave that for the Italians”; and then added, “See, it’s the Irish sense of humor…we have our issues, but at least we have a sense of humor.”

And humor Mr. O’Connor certainly displayed during our interview, where I sought to debunk his “Irishness” and examine what it means for him to be an “Irish American.” Read more