Whats your opinion of Ireland and its natives ?

Question

It never ceases to amaze me that people the world over seem to have a ' soft spot ' for anything Irish.

Considering the negative political history of the Emerald Isle over the past 400 years, what is it that makes this small part of the planet so attractive to others?

P.S. you might have already guessed . . . . . . . Im Irish

Answer 1

im irish also and i guess its just that irish people know how to party and have fun (drink) obviously lol and just because we're cool like that

Answer 2

the gentle humour, and sense of belonging to the world without prejudice

Answer 3

Theres nothing to dislike about Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful scenery, lovely people and also very helpful, the Irish know how to enjoy themselves, beautiful fresh food and great pubs. I try to go over to Ireland a least once a year as i have alot of family over there.

Answer 4

I'm Irish and I think the unique thing about the Irish that endears other people is the fact that we're so friendly and we know how to relax and just take life as it comes, rather than stressing and worrying about shite.

Answer 5

It bugs the h**l out of me when people go on about Irish people being great at drinking and partying. Is that all we're good for? h**l no!

YES, Ireland has had a negative history and we have had struggles, but not with alcoholism. With the British. With trying to gain independance. With dealing with the wedge between Catholics and and Protestants. A priest of a Church of Ireland (Protestant) clergy got kicked out of his clergy for being friends with some members of a Catholic clergy and promoting friendship between the two denominations.

"What do outsiders find so attractive about the Irish and why?" Because they think we're easy going and are pig ignorant to the history of the past 400 or so years. Before anybody goes accusing me of being anti-British and anti-Protestant, I'm not. My mother (who had recent Irish roots) was born in and lived in England all her life, so became a British citizen. So I held a British passport for thirteen years. I acknowledge British hsitroy, somtimes I feel proud of being part British. I'm not Catholic, I'm Protestant. I don't care about the divide though. We're all Christians.

The point is, I'm telling the truth. Everyone is pig ignorant about other countires until they actually decide to learn about them. ALOT of my friends haven't a clue who Tony Blair is and what he does. They haven't a clue where exactly China is, but they do know that they speak Spanish in Spain.

I suppose that we're a nation that opens its arms to people. We're neutral.The main fight we've had with others is ourselves and with the British and only then we were gaining independance.

I just wish that others would see us for our achievments other than creating the Black Stuff and getting drunk, like our scientific, political and literary achievements.

Answer 6

I just love Irish people, their accents are wonderful, they are so friendly and take you into their heart, Ireland is a beautiful place and there is a magic about it that gets under your skin and makes you want more and more of it, I have two beautiful friends, Dublin girls, one lives in our home town now, she met the man of her dreams and the other is still at home in Dublin, I have never met more genuine people in my life, they are warm, beautiful people and I thank Ireland for giving me two of the best friends I have ever known.

Answer 7

When I was in Ireland a few weeks ago one difference I noticed was everybody over there is soooo friendly compared to other places I've been, and definitely compared to Americans. There's an amazing sense of companionship with a total stranger. I think that people covet that. Also there's a lot of mysticism surrounding Ireland, with fairies and leprechauns. And the history is told so brilliantly, with that brilliant accent. People are just drawn to it.

Answer 8

I can tell you my own experience. I am a painter.

30 years ago I started roaming from one European country to the next, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Italy.

20 years ago I went to Ireland on what I thought was a short trip.

I'm still there.

Nobody outside Ireland really cares about the past, and if they do, everybody has sympathy for the underdogs and applauds the victory of David against Goliath, (exept the "Philistines") and I found the Irish people the most welcoming of them all.

Apart from that, they belive in live and let live, and I remember my mix of frustration and delight when a handyman turned up 2 days late and the told me "You foreigners are always in a hurry. When god made time he made enough!"

Wouldn't that alone be enough to make you fall in love with a country?

Answer 9

i have no idea it seems it always rains there and yet they are such nice peole unlike the scots who have this thing about being very drab, dour and grey miserable gits...guinness and baileys... grass... kerrygold butter...er sadly that michael flatly and oh yes they did a lot of bombing in London and murdered earl mountbatten of burma...

Answer 10

Where is everyone getting this figure of 400 years?  800 years, more like. Im interested in your phrase 'negative political history'.  What is negative political history?  I have always thought that there is History, with either negative or positive views of it.

Our History has always been tied up with the other Island and trying to get our neck out from under its yolk.  We had no fight with any other nation and if we hadn't been seeking our independence, we'd have had no fight with them.  

Irish history is written in tears but its not negative. It wasn't we who exported food during the famine, was it? And exported our people for a long time after that so that we became known to every nation.  Thats why people the world over have a soft spot for the Irish - they know us!  And aren't we lovely?!!

Answer 11

Well, I just got an Irish friend. I knew him from the net and met him personnaly..Its the first time to know someone from Ireland.. well I believe you people are friendly than any other Caucasians and not to mention Catholic ( but not in the Nothern part) so as for a Ph, friendly and Catholic, we kinda have something in common..

I guess thru him, I leaned Ireland is a nice place with almost all people are nice like him..

Answer 12

Firstly, I am NOT IRISH.

Throughout my youth and schooling, after studying literature by the Irish greats , I always yearned to visit that country.

When I did,it was everything that I had pictured - no regrest & I could never get more of it.

The countryside is phenominal,the people are just GREAT........

Now that I have a soft spot for them Irish .....you may shoot me!

Answer 13

I feel for them. Not because I'm Irish, but because the stories I've heard about their struggles with alcoholism remind me of some the c**p that happens on the reservations.

**EDIT** To anyone who may have been offended by what I said, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intent to try and portray all Irish people as alcoholics. My intent was merely to extend my sympathies to those Irish citizens who have struggled with alcoholism. Once again, if you were offended by anything I said here, I am sorry. **EDIT**

Answer 14

They are real people and very passionate! They are a great example to us all and deserve the greatest of respect!!! I wish THE WHOLE WORLD WAS IRISH!!!!

To sean 1201, The Irish are faaaaar from being small!

Answer 15

I'm Irish too, and to be honest, the reason people think we are so nice is because we are brought up in the right way, mannerly, courteous and respectful to everybody , because it is just in our nature..if you go to the european continent, especially Italy , France  or Spain,...if people think you are English, they will treat you with utter contempt and disrespect, and If you say " Actually, I'm Irish" you will get a totally different reaction...anyone will testify to this, and it is just a small example why we are so universally loved, because even in someone elses country, we are totally respectful and good natured...

Answer 16

Basically we are a beautiful race and everyone wants to be us.

I am even luckier as I am from Cork. Up the rebels

Answer 17

I'm American of Irish descent.  My non-Irish friends are resentful of all the attention accorded the Irish.  They never grow tired of telling me how the Irish were considered scum in the earlier days of the US.  I guess they are jealous.

Ireland does seem to attract quite a bit of attention for its relatively small size.

Answer 18

I read a great book in College about Ireland. It is called Saints, Scholars, and Schizophrenics by Nancy Sheper-Hughes. The title basically implies that there are three kinds of people in Ireland- religious do-gooders, smart people, and drunken loonies. what's not to love?

Answer 19

i too am irish and i was going to write something profound

but all i can say is .......

we let it happen to ourselves...

opening of ryder cup!!!!!

please!!!!!

Answer 20

i respect anyone who respects me i don't agree with the IRA or any terrorists for that matter but the Irish i know most are lovely there are a few who live here and go on about how much more better Ireland is and how c**p England is my reply to them is p**s off back (i wouldn't disrespect the country i chose to live in)as for the history 400 years ago you cant be held accountable for what our ancestors have done i think every country has a tarnished history

Answer 21

We're smart, bubbly, bright and beautiful. Though I am a bit biased also being Irish.(West Cork)

Answer 22

Father Ted (BBC) makes me laugh.  I know it's just a silly sitcom.  I was through Ireland this summer, and couldn't for the life of me understand what anyone was saying unless it was in English.  Plus it's great to have a country where you can pop in to any pub to get some crack.

Answer 23

yes another irish person here and fiiny kid remember this UP THE CATS, TAKING GOOD CARE OF LIAM HERE LOL any way alcoholism and ireland, may i point out we are no where near as bad as the eastern europeans, i dont know if its the ones that live here or what, but the amount of vodka they go through, im surprised they are still alive lol any way we prob have a problem with binge drinking, but i think alot of irish people, follow the motto treat others as u would like to be treated, so we know when we follow u back to ur country, we're not going to have a rough moment lol

Answer 24

been to ireland a few times now, going back next month,staying in dublin,and then tullamore,great friendly people ,and of course the beers good too

Answer 25

irish people are one of a kind...everyone wants to be irish and i dont blame them... as the great saying goes two kinda ppl in the world the irish and the wana be irish... im irish hahaha...but seriously ive travelled alot and ppl are always very cold and rude am always amazed they are not like back home...makes me sad because u could light up someones day been friendly to someone :) SLAN