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The top ten myths about the Irish

MICHAEL FUREY,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, September 10, 2010, 7:35 AM

Updated Friday, September 10, 2010, 7:46 AM

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The Irish are not always charming, be warned

Well yes, and no. Whilst it’s true there are Irish people who can tell tales to delight or terrify you, they’re not all born with the gift. In fact the Irish have produced the woman that literary experts agree is the worst novelist who ever lived. Amanda McKittrick Ros was born in Ballynahinch, County Down in 1860 and according to The Oxford Companion to English Literature is “the greatest bad writer who ever lived.”

Amanda self-published her own series of novels in the late 1890’s and instantly won a devoted following, but the critics savaged her. McKittrick Ros faith in her own talent was undiminished however, and she replied by calling them variously: “bastard donkey-headed mites, clay-crabs of corruption, denunciating Arabs, evil-minded snapshots of spleen, talent-wipers of a wormy order.” Her revenge is that today we quote her, and not her detractors.

10. The Irish never forget

Not true. Ask Thierry Henry. After his handball at the qualifying France versus Ireland World Cup match, there are literally millions of Irish people desperately willing themselves to forget what he did. Their attempts to do so may be as insincere or short lived as Thierry’s apology, but give them some props for the effort.

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MaryMcCarty | Aug 13, 2012, 07:28 AM EDT

As it appears to be mostly true, only by personal experience, the willingness to forget and an abundance of storytelling to us all!

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Dublinjas | Sep 12, 2010, 07:15 PM EDT

I once many years ago found myself on a very country road by today's standards it was dark and stormy a terrible rainy windy night my old car had just gone through its last spoonful of petrol (Cars use to do 500 miles to the gallon mostly pushed) in those days, Anyway there I was in the middle of nowhere out of gas, I spotted a dim light off the road at some distance and having negotiated some fences and fields I arrived at the door of a cottage where a young couple were laying a new wooden floor, Having told them of my dilemma I was sat down to a pot of tea and a plate of cookies while the young man took off in his car, 10 minutes later to my utter shock he arrived back with 2 gallons of petrol escorted me to my car poured it into my tank and no matter what I tried would NOT accept any remuneration of any sort, I have waited more than 40 years to publicly tell this story and let me tell you money was scarce enough back then, The Place where I broke down was near Ardee in Co Louth.

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CitizenWhy | Sep 12, 2010, 12:00 PM EDT

"Christ and Caesar are hand in glove" refers to the corrupting intertwining of the Catholic Church and the Irish government, both dedicated to sneaky deals and cover-ups. It does not refer to the Irish "latitudinarianism" (cafeteria Catholicism) that indeed is an ancient irish tradition despite the fanatics. When the Norman chronicler asked an Irish chief why they did not persecute the Jews, the answer was "What a man believes in his mind is between him and God."... The Irish practiced a form of Santeria for many centuries, to everyone's comfort.

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WoundedKnee | Sep 11, 2010, 02:17 PM EDT

JamesMurphy: Erin Go Bragh means "Ireland Forever". I'm surprised you don't know that. Is the Irish/Gaelic language totally dead over there now?

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furlee1 | Sep 11, 2010, 05:35 AM EDT

I could not find a define for calin but odonnbhain s comment seemed to be from the fem side. if so please bring your cavegirl club and clobber me and drag me back to your cave. Redheads and sassy my fantysy christopher in sacramento calif o mahoney my moms maiden name

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ODonnabhain | Sep 11, 2010, 01:33 AM EDT

I love this! As a red haired irish cailin, with a black haired Irish father (well it was once upon a time, when he had hair!), who is the most charming man on this earth, along with being probably one of the smartest! And not one of us can carry a tune in a bucket! However, my contemptuous looks may have been known to clear a room or two, especially when directed at a sibling or other relation (usually non-Irish who have married into the family). This is absolutely brilliant! lmao!

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IRISHKNIGHT110 | Sep 10, 2010, 06:43 PM EDT

as an Irishmen I know how true it is. good article. people have some concepts like this of others no matter where they come from.

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duchessofbones | Sep 10, 2010, 06:23 PM EDT

Well. I'd argue with you on each and every one o' those points, but that might be a little stupid. Besides, I'm late for me lessons for choir in my church, and a bit of a sip afterward. So... if ye want to argue, come join me at Paddy's, where we can fight or tell stories and if you like, I can fix you up with my red-haired sister. I won't forget, just be there. ;)

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hollabackgurl | Sep 10, 2010, 03:21 PM EDT

This is priceless: "The Irish don’t drink more alcohol than any other western nation; they just have more conspicuous fun in the process."

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killowen | Sep 10, 2010, 03:06 PM EDT

The Union Jack and her symbols are left as they are. And besides their Queen is coming to show UKers dominance. Nicely done, eh! what.

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rickduff | Sep 10, 2010, 02:46 PM EDT

The Irish never forget someone who borrows a book and doesn't return it.

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Ajreaper | Sep 10, 2010, 02:04 PM EDT

People are people regardless of where you go in the world- there are good and bad and everything in between.

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LouGuyt | Sep 10, 2010, 12:25 PM EDT

If you'd like to know what the Irish were really like before Rome's taking over the church and England's brutalizing us and then writing their own "history," read Thomas Cahill's "How the Irish Saved Civilization."

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JimThompson | Sep 10, 2010, 12:13 PM EDT

Quite cute. Enhjoyed reading the article. The Irish are just like every other group; some good, some bad, and many somewhere between the two.

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chesapeake | Sep 10, 2010, 11:26 AM EDT

But, do they got rhythm? Few individuals of any origin exhibit consistent behavior - Irish or not. Obviously, there are stupid, bellicose, red-haired Irish persons who drink too much and sing a lot; but, hell, no one is perfect!

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