Could Ireland’s cloudy weather be the reason for the stereotypical red hair?

Stiofain, sounds like you don't appreciate diversity. What would your fellow liberals think of you? And you're intolerant of religious people.

I think: these type of "scientifically founded" articles mainly are there to generate interest and feedback, regardless if true or senseless. it certainly has been successful in its main purpose, nevertheless of its absolutely stupid content. the readers of these "semi-scientific" articles should be aware of that they are there to entertain and attract attention, but unfortunately there are plenty of people who take this for serious. I demand Irish Central to be more vigilant about their responsibility and not spread half-truths or simply bullshit. end of comment.

I'm a redhead and can't go out in the sun - even in Ireland!

Krisdaly: Has anyone ever told you your a racist? But, you would take that as a compliment.

stephenhession ~ then how do you explain these Jewish rabbis with full red beards/hair?

The Unforgettable Fire ~

Scotland is inhabitated by two distinct races the indeginous Pict and the Celts from Ireland, One of the oldest names for Ireland was Scotia. Kings of Ireland invaded and ruled large parts of Scota Land, hince the name Scotland, most notable of these clanns were the Dal Cassins, they hailed from the south, and south east of Ireland and inhabited Scotland in huge numbers, The red hair is puely celtic

What a gorgeous gal in the photo!

For the people that are keeping the viking invaders theory for the red hair in irish and scottish people, I have a doubt: if it is true, why the scandinavian themselves (swedish,danish,norwegian and the rest)don't show the same percentage(or higher)of redheaded people than Scotland or Ireland? (Because I always see these two countries in the top positions of the countries with most redhaired individuals; but never see the scandinavian countries in the lists)

they say the devil had red hair

you must be joking

The gene for naturally red hair is going to disappear within the next 20 years because of inter-breeding between the races. Our Creator wanted human beings to marry within their own race, otherwise mankind will become one race and one people. Many beautiful races of human beings are like the many beautiful flowers on the earth.

No it is in the DNA. My family has had red hair for generations. It probably comes from Viking Blood. My real question is why do red heads have such tempers. The temper increase with the deepness of the red. I was a brownish red, and my temper is managable, but family members with the red red have tempers.

katiemac, not all genes work totally for the betterment of the carrier! Red hair and pale skin do up the ability of the body to absorb Vitamin D. And yes, it does have a downside, just like African-Americans have more protection against skin cancer but are at higher risk for heatstroke. Another example is sickle cell; it protects against/reduces the severity of malaria but can also kill. The Vikings may have brought red hair but that doesn't preclude the gene from hanging around in cloudy countries!

What happened to the theory that the red hair gene came from the Vikings when they came to the countru? That makes sense to me.