Multiculturism in ireland, what are your views?

Question

Multiculturism in ireland, what are your views?

Answer 1

Ireland has always been a multicultural country but those cultures have never got on....

catholics vs protestants and Dublin toffs vs country bog lords (that includes myself) being cases in point

Ireland has always been a tribal country (divided along religious, political, social and economic lines) and why people would think the future is going to be any different is beyond me

Answer 2

I am actually in Dublin visiting for three days.  I had to work in Edingburgh and decided to visit as I have an affection toward the Irish.  Respect their struggles for freedom and love their writers.  I have to say this is one of the most dissapointing moments of my life.  My experience here as an African-American woman was not good.  I did not find people to be friendly and received a lot of nasty stares and looks.  There were a few nice people but overall the feeling I received was not one of welcoming.  Three days is not a lot of time to develop an informed opinion, but I saw very little multiculuturalism. Very few Asians, Blacks or other groups.  I truly hope I am wrong.  I really can't wait to go home.  Really really sad and dissapointed.

Answer 3

it is actually growing, surprisingly enough. This has caused a lot of racism to grow however as this really is the first time that Ireland has seen a more diverse group of individuals coming into the country. Only recently has the population actually been increasing in Ireland since the famine. This is one of the first times in recent history where people are actually immigrating into ireland. It is quite amazing. I feel like it is making Ireland lose its "irishness" however it still is very interesting and nice to see a more diverse community developing. I live in Cork.

Answer 4

I think the reason you didn't have a good experience is that Africans have a bad name here. Alot of them come over here to sponge on our welfare system & don't work. I hope it dosen't put you off coming back

Answer 5

I visit Ireland every year.  I am Black American and have many close relationships with people in Ireland.  Many times I got stares but then they would hear me talk and realize I was from America.  I don't know about you but there is a lot of towns I go to that  remember me and especially because my last name is the same as one of the popular people in their favorite soap.

My great greatgrandfather's father is Irish.  No there is no passport.  Because he had children by a Black woman.  But he left our family with a history that is rich with Ireland so I always wanted to go.

I love it.  There is some racism growing I found in recent years but it is from younger people ignorant or fearful of what they believe is happeing with the Nigerians there.  They don't realize there is a big difference from American Blacks and African Blacks so sometimes you get that look.

But I am not followed around in stores, I get invited for tea, I have a great friends in Ireland.  I also have a great relationship with people who are part of the Irish Cultural Center in my town.

My friends who are Irish have said I may not have been raised in Ireland but its in my genes.  I thought it was a big compliment.

Its home away from home to me.

Answer 6

Sorry to all the Jackeens, but I don't think Dublin represents the 'real' irish people who live out in the sticks.

The problem where I live is that many people will accept you, whatever your nationality (so long as its Irish) and whatever your religion (as long as it is Catholic).

Seriously though, other than an occasional Pole or Slovak, in the town where I live there are very few immigrants or people of any non-christian denomination. I hardly ever see a person of any colour other than white other than the guy in the Chinese shop.

Personally, I have no problem with anyone of any nationality moving here provided they want to play a productive part in society, and provided they are not radical extremists.