Does anyone know anything about Black Ireland? My Mom says her fathers people were from there.?

Question

Does anyone know anything about Black Ireland? My Mom says her fathers people were from there.?

Answer 1

Black Ireland is not a place, rather the "Black Irish" are a group of native Irishmen who have dark features: dark hair, dark eyes, tan complexion.  This is very different obviously from the image most have of blonde or red hair and light eyes and skin.  The reason the "black Irish"  have brown hair, brown eyes, and an olive complexion dates back to the time of the Spanish armada fighting with the British navy.  In more than one instance, a Spanish vessel in distress would land on the shores of Ireland, the closest land that wasn't Britain (their enemies).  Some Spanish sailors remained in Ireland and intermarried with the population, causing genetics to pass down dark, Spanish features through the native Irish.  This is especially true in the south of Ireland (like Kerry) that is closest to the sea.

Answer 2

You don't get many black people in Ireland.

Answer 3

No, never heard of it. And I'm Irish. She didn't happen to say which part of Ireland did she? Actually you do get quite a few black people here.