Is it true that many English think the irish are stupid?

Question

I am an American and I have heard several people when I went to Britain tell me that they thought the irish were the stupid ones.
I even met an irish guy that said that it was indeed a stereotype atleast in history as well as today.
is this true?
why did they get this reputation?
what makes them considered "stupid"?

WHAT ABOUT BEING MORE CRIMINAL LIKE AS WELL AS CRUDE BEHAVIOR??

Answer 1

Although they are the butt of many jokes, I find most Irish people to be very clever. I am English, by the way.

Answer 2

These are just harmless clichées, probably the accent being the source. It is the same anywhere in the world, North Italy, South Italy/Basel, Zürich/Swiss, Austria etc. It is human nature to mock others for their own downfalls (to compensate), it seems to make them feel better!
I come from the English capital of Ireland...Liverpool, and I must admit, although I have travelled the whole world , I have never been to Ireland unfortunately. But it is still on my list!
In Ireland itself I would imagination that there is the same thing between the North and South, just like it is between the Virginians and the Texans! lol..know what I mean?

If there was no humour in the world, then the world would be even sadder, but humour does not always have to base itself upon laughing at others! And no, it is not true at all that the Brits think the Irish are stupid, but where the are sheep there are follies!

Good luck!

Answer 3

It's just a joke. The Irishman, the scottishman and the Englishman. Basically having the Irish guy with the funny punchline.
You may tell similar jokes, but use Jews or Mexicans having the brunt of the Joke.
But it's meant in fun. We as English certainly do not think of the Irish as Stupid, not at all...
After all Pierce Brosnan (James Bond) is Irish, and I wouldn't call him Stupid, would you? Certainly not to his face. LOL...

Answer 4

Would'nt think so.It's more a fun thing.For examle the the scots are seen traditionally as mean(very tight with thier money)The welsh coal miners(dirty)The english themsevles are seen as whingers(moaners and complainers.
Anyhow nowadays your not allowed to target people by race,creed or color.
When I was in the USA the irish,poles and negros were the essence of 90% of the jokes many years ago.

Answer 5

Irish roots but english here, political stereo types i am afraid from long ago not unlike your own over in america particularly the afor american problems and stereotypes politicians created the list goes on

Answer 6

I am about 1/4 Celtic and I can tell you the rest of the world believes the Irish to be stupid drunken louts; it's one of the best kept secrets of today!

America Rocks and so do the Irish!

Answer 7

i don't think the Irish are stupid. i have many wonderful friends from Ireland. I'm British from a small UK city and i have travelled around the world. i live in the USA now i don't think people stereotype others by their accents

Answer 8

They aren't stupid in my mind, no more than any other nationality! Much of the time though, English people have got thier heads so far up thier own backsides that they do not understand others accents, even those from other regions in England. To escape being noticed as ignorant they probably label all those with different accents as stupid.

Answer 9

You might have heard "That's Irish." meaning it doesn't make sense. I suppose that it's very unfair but it's just a phrase, I've used it, my Dad used it and he certainly didn't think Irish people were stupid.

If anything, Irish people are very creative and imaginative. They have some very famous writers, singers, musicians, actors etc.

Answer 10

The Irish hate the British , even although they killed massive parts of our human beings and we bailed them out of debt those days and we are nevertheless their maximum hated and oldest enemy. depressing gits. All we want is to stay in peace.