Why do Irish hate English?

Question

Seriously I have heard that the Irish are meant to be so nice and welcoming when you visit etc, I have known a few N Irish but not any R Irish except one who turned out to be a nut case but I wouldn't judge a country on one person, however since reading some of the answers on this section I have come to realise that you Irish really do hate us English. Why is that I mean history is history fair enough but for Christ sake I haven't killed anyone so why the abuse! I am sorry but it is very disheartening reading some of it and I would say that I would never go to Ireland now because of it as you don't sound as welcoming as people say I would be afraid of getting attacked if I spoke and people realised I was English I think it is a shame as I have always wanted to Visit Ireland and see where some of my ancestors came from!

Answer 1

so many ignorant answers here! So much rubbish taled about NI being illegally occupied by the British Army...J-smith_8 obviously has never been to Ireland and has no idea at all..

J-smith_8, don't give us any rubbish about the freedoms of Northern Ireland. The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland view themselves as BRITISH citizens, with full rights in a democracy. They have the same rights and freedoms as anyone anywhere in the UK.

So don't tell lies and suggest they are under the thumb or dominated or anything..

Until there is a referendum in which the majority of the permanent residents of Northern Ireland vote to be part of the republic, we will NOT accept another point of view.

The republicans on this site want to dominate everyone, and force everyone to see things their way...

So don't try and force Republican views on people here, this site is for sharing knowledge, not invective.

On behalf of any Irish people who read this (as opposed to plastic paddies who know nothing about it) it is true there were atrocities against civilians... it is true that the behavior of the British Empire was terrible to the Irish people. It is true that the British in past centuries had an arrogant view of other cultures ... but then what about the Spanish Empire, what about the Portuguese, the French, the Dutch?

However, in recent years there have been enormous strides in changing attitudes, improving the life of the ordinary law abiding citizens of Northern Ireland...

But I think it's a shame that a small minority of people still try to make out that Britain is the great enemy and all English are bad people - it's a lie perpetuated by extremists...in my view no better than extremist muslims, like the extremist fanatics who took part in 9/11 or the London or Madrid bombings...

In other words, don't spread lies and hatred on this site, if you want change, then use your vote - that's why you have it.

Answer 2

I don't think you should base your impression of Irish people on the people who give nasty answers here. First of all, most of them think it's smart to be gobshites - newflash people, it's NOT smart to be a gobshite through a medium with hides your identity, it's just sneaky and ignorant. Do bear in mind also that there may be some Irish-Americans stuck in a time warp who don't have a clue of today's state of affairs and think they're scoring points against na Sassanaigh when in fact they're just showing up their lamentable lack of knowledge of Ireland of today, and showing themselves also to be Sassanaigh - this word can mean 'foreigner' and can mean 'English'.

These people and their nastiness shouldn't keep you away from a place you really want to visit. Lots of English come to the Republic, some like it so much that they stay here. Yes, you will probably come across some good-natured slagging, but it's not anything you need take personally.You wouldn't get attacked or anything ...

Answer 3

English started it.....they taxed the chit outa of em tried to run the whole country IRA stood up to Brits and then the Brits killed thousands of people

Answer 4

no i dont hate the english once no trouble starts in town for football matches ect.......its just because of the fighting up the north and dat.......

Answer 5

I'm Irish and I don't hate the English. I don't hold a great deal of anger about what happened in the past either. It was the past. There were no saints on either side.

If people you met gave you abuse, you need to mix with a better type of person. I bet the ones who were most vocal were speaking English, wearing clothes from English chains and probably supporting English Premiership Clubs.

Answer 6

we dnt hate them we jst prefer other countries i myself like them i dnt think theres nething rong with them we r generally taken the p**s!

Answer 7

only the idots . rwest are great

Answer 8

Because the English took most of their country from them. its the same reason many countries hate the Britts

Answer 9

The year 1840 might be a good start. 'Good' as in understanding the hows and whys.

Answer 10

look at the first answer to ur question, that's the way the british are percieved to me

Answer 11

Hello Peachy,

         I am an Irish man, and I live in England, and I have absolutely no problem with the English at all, all my feriends and neighbours where I live know I am Irish, and because I am now retired from my job as an H.G.V. Driver, I have more time to spend getting to know them better than I ever knew them from day one when I arrived here as an 11 year old boy, with my family. This was my Dads idea telling us that if we cant make it here within 5 years, of our arrival, we would return home to the farm in the montains of County Galway, and continue our struggle to survive there, so when we arrived here for my Father to retire from his job with Shell oil tankers at Ellesmere port after 33 years working for them. sailing back and to across ther mighty Atlantic Ocean, even right through the 2nd World War, and only being sunk one time, and being rescued by the English, so we really did have a real reason to be grateful to them, and being based in Belfast in the North of Ireland,for two years before his retirement. They suggested to him, that our Family may like to settle in England, so, here we came, and here we stayed. but that was the very beginning of our housing problems, we couldn't find a place to live, as the landlords of the time in the mid 1950's were really not into having Irish people living in their properties, in case we defaulted on the house-rent, or we damaged it in some way.The signs in the house windows that would take in working people of the day, would have written on them 'no blacks, no animals and NO IRISH in capitals. My Father mentioned this to Shell, at their offices and they said "leave it to us", and the very same day they came to the only house that would take us in, for a daily rent, in cash, and moved us all away from Ellesmere Port, to a town called Warrington, and we moved in that day, and we were able to buy the house, and carry on from there...

            We were a family of 2 parents and 6 children, and we went to church together, as the local church was just being built, by an Irish firm of builders, and there was already enough Catholics in the area to fill the church at every mass, and the Blessed building hardly had all its walls built and certainly no roof on it. but for the work we all put into making do, and rallying together with the English folk we managed to build ourselves a bit of a reputation of being 'OK' and we were liked from those early days. So it would seem to me that if you want to get on and be liked by these English, it could well be a good idea to offer to help out now and again, it certainly worked for my family. History is soon forgotten anyway, and there's not a politician in the world that would stand in the way of people getting it on for themselves, just as long as it costs the government of the day absolutely no money at all. Which is to say that although the English coined the Phrase, "I'm alright jack" what they accidently and allegedly missed out of that phrase is " and our mates all the paddies are pretty OK too" we got on with life in Warrington, and the troubles, ( although they came to Warrington a couple of times) are kind of left on a very slow and rearmost burner where they started now, and are virtually over as well, and Thanks be to our God, and the common sense of his flock. If you are having trouble with any English folk, tell them that we, as Irish people hold no grudges, and just want to be as friendly as we can be, and hurt no one, not any more, because enough is enough, and we really should give peace a real good chance to prove that it is a whole lot better than any alternative, that causes pain and sorrow,  and mean what you say... so let us all be happy and be kindly to all our neighbours, whatever their nationality or their religion. and maybe one day, this may be extended to ALL the peoples and nations of this Earth.   I enjoyed answering you enquiry, Hope you like it too. .............Tony M............

Answer 12

You say history and all that but that is the answer many atrocities were doled out on the Irish in living memory and if your grandparents spent there whole life telling you how bad people were would you have any reason not to believe them.

Now although the following examples cite british troops the majority of regements are english and the Irish belive the scots and welsh have the same problem of being controlled by invation by the english.

example 1.

Bloody Sunday

On 30 January 1972, 30,000 people marched in Derry to protest internment. The march, the biggest ever organized by the Civil Rights Association, peacefully made its way towards Guildhall Square. British troops blocked blocked the route at William Street so the people assembled at "Free Derry Corner" in the Bogside area. Suddenly, armored cars appeared from behind barriers and headed for Rossville Street. British troops effectively boxed in hundreds of people on waste-ground between the Flats and William Street. Soldiers spilled out of the armored cars, their helmets identifying them a Paratroopers. None of the soldiers carried batons and shields as riot control troops do. All were fully armed with combat rifles. They used these rifle as clubs as the waded through the crowd.

Without warning, shots were fired from British army. Causally soldiers fired indiscriminately, often from the hip, into a fleeing crowd. At the end of the day, 13 people lay dead and 17 wounded, one of whom died later. One man who was photographed being arrested and taken into a British army Saracen was later found shot dead.

example 2.

On November 21, 1920 Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by the Auxiliary Division. British police auxiliaries entered the ground, shooting indiscriminately into the crowd killing 14 during a Dublin-Tipperary gaelic football match. The dead included 13 spectators and one player, Michael Hogan. The latter, Tipperary's captain, gave his name posthumously to the Hogan stand built four years later in 1924. These shootings, on the day which became known as Bloody Sunday, were possibly a reprisal for the assassination of 14 British Intelligence officers, known as the Cairo Gang, by Michael Collins' squad earlier that day. No professional units should be prone to vengence.

Having said this i work for a company who are all english ecept me and all work in ireland regularly and all without fail are welcomed and have a great time.

The Irish ARE a welcoming people and are very friendly.

While i'm still on my soap box it is unfortunate that History is not taught better in schools and we see what created and shaped our country instead of endless ww2.

Answer 13

They don't really hate the english they just want to beat the

shiite out of them and gain independance so they can scrap

among themselves.

Answer 14

Because, to put it simply, they wish they were english.

who wouldnt.

Answer 15

I think this is another Media created image.. .. sure - there is probably a small narrow minded bunch of lunatics - who have a chip on their shoulder about some ancestor or other - that was ill-treated during the early years in Irelands history...but its over now...and people should move on...I have been to Ireland - Eire & Northern Ireland - and I suppose this may upset some people - it is not much different from any other country.. you will always bump into someone who dislikes you - for no matter what reason..

Answer 16

I personally don't hate the English , I lived in Brighton and Jersey for a number of years and loved it. I think Irish people, probably the same as the Scots and Welsh, hate the English media. An example is the fella who won the medal in the winter Olympics a few years ago, he was British when he won, but because of some stupid reason he was disqualified, all of a sudden he was Scottish. The number of times this happens is too many to mention.

Also the English were in Dublin this week end, and talking to a good few of them in the pubs after, they said the whole controversy over the national anthems came to nothing. They were having a great time and so were the hundreds of Irish out in Dublin to celebrate the game, whatever the result may have been.

Answer 17

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for seven days.

Eventually, Michael the archangel found him. He inquired of God, "where were you?".

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds; "look son, look what I'm after making".

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "what is it?"

God replied, "it's another planet but I'm after putting LIFE on it. I've named it Earth and there's going to be a balance between everything on it. For example, there's North America and South America. North America is going to be rich and south America is going to be poor, and the narrow bit joining them - that's going to be a hot spot. Now look over here. I've put a continent of whites in the north and another one of blacks in the south. And then the archangel said, "and what's that green dot there?". And God said "ahhh that's the Emerald Isle - that's a very special place.

That's going to be the most glorious spot on earth; Beautiful Mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, and an exquisite coast line. These people here are going to be great craic and they're going to be found traveling the world. They'll be playwrights and poets and singers and songwriters. And I'm going to give them this black liquid which they're going to go mad on, and for which people will come from the far corners of the earth to imbibe.

Michael the Archangel gasped in wonder and admiration but then seeming startled proclaimed: "Hold on a second, what about the BALANCE, you said there was going to be a balance..

God replied wisely. "Wait until you see the neighbours I'm going to give them"

Answer 18

I am an Irish, Donegalman and was raised to have respect for everyone. To say there are narrow minded people in Ireland and all over the world for that matter would be an understatement. However, I can only speak for my own. The Irish in general are a very jovial people, but I would venture that those of them who have never had much intermingling with people from England may still bear an ancient grudge. My advice, if you want to visit Ireland, Donegal,Dublin,Kerry,Cork and all the other tourist traps and you'll find that they're as nice as people say they are. I myself lived in London for sometime and I can empathize with how you feel, you are not alone, but don,t sit on the outside looking in. Come on over and judge for yourself firsthand. If you decide to come to Ireland, visit my website www.culandoonhouse.com and I'll take 10% of your first rental. You might think that's generous, not really, 'cause you"ll be back. Trust me.

Answer 19

I am Irish, though I have not lived there for many years.

With respect, you clearly do not know much of your own country's history. If you did, then you would have asked, 'Why do the English hate the Irish'?

And if you do not know way I say you should have asked this, I recommend that you read whatever you can find about the history of Anglo-Irish relations.

And, yes, of course, you have not killed anyone. But, if you have ever voted in the UK, you have voted for a party that will not give independence to the last colony in Europe. That means there are people who live without the freedoms you enjoy and presume are universal. They are not. And the people you vote for maintain that unbalance.

Finally, go to Ireland. It is a pretty country, and the people will welcome you with open arms.

Answer 20

God Bless Tony M, he always talks sense.

I'm also from Warrington, and have lovely Irish friends from Northern Ireland and the Republic and I have never heard any of them speak a bad word about the English, they are warm, friendly, generous people and a joy to know.  

I visited the Republic of Ireland for the first time last year and was met again with the same warmth and friendship, I enjoyed myself so much that I'm going back again this year.

We should move forward and embrace the future and not live in the past.  The respect shown by the Irish at the Rugby International at the weekend for the English team, and our National Anthem showed that the majority of them are doing just that.

Answer 21

i think you'll find its not just the irish, look at all the countries the english have invaded. the english for centuries have stuck their nose into other countries affairs and  had a very ignorant and arrogant attitute towards everyone else.

Individually most people will take others at face value but as countries, nations or groups we personally cant stand "the english"

i appreciate what you say about it being history but your reasoning would also suggest jews should accept n**i's with open arms.. after all thats history or perhaps americans should accept muslims after all 9-11 is history

the cuts run deep and leave emotional scars on a nations collective consious.

i'm with my celtic brothers and sisters on this one

Answer 22

I'm Irish and I don't hate you, or any other English people. I take people as they come, so do all or most of the people I know, however, I still don't like to see an English team do well at sports or anything like that, not exactly sure why, I think it's just a part of Irish culture now. But I'd be a hypocrite if I said I hate English people, I support Arsenal, an English club, I enjoy English music like The Streets. I'm watching Corronation Street as I write this and I find English accents on women very very s**y.

Trust me, you have absolutely no reason to be afraid to visit Ireland, I know a few English people who live here and everyone treats them the exact same as they do anyone else.

Answer 23

I'm English, but if I were Irish, I would probably not feel too good about the English.

Basically, ever since we have been able to cross the Irish Sea, we have been abusing our Celtic neighbours. Millions died because of a combination of bad luck ( the potato famine) and English unwillingness to help.

So, you think you can wipe history from peoples' consciences? Impossible. The slate cannot be wiped clean so easily.

We have been very bad neighbours sadly.

It's a pretty naiive question if you think you can ignore history...

Answer 24

I'm actually quiet shocked by most of the Irish people here. This is not a representative sample of the typical Irish citizen. Some Irish do have a problem with English people but its more to do with history, going back 800 years.

I totally sympathise with you Peachy. It's not your fault. As you rightly pointed out, certain periods in history had nothing to do with you or the overwhelming majority of of English people.

These people are pricks. Ignore them.

Tony M also speaks, as usual, alot of sense.

Please don't listen to some of the bigoted a******s on this site.

Check out this link:

http://www.ireland.ie/

I'm ashamed of some of you here.

Take care Peachy,

Melok

Come over for a visit!

Answer 25

We don't, like all countries there are a few bigots, but the general population like the English, I think your being swayed by the bigots.  Most people don't care, and you'll find your extremely welcome here.  Just ask any of the English to came over in their droves for the match at the weekend.