what is considered black irish?

Question

i've been told it is any sort of spanish and irish mix, although some would argue....is puerto rican and irish black irish? is mexican and irish black irish? enlighten me please....

Answer 1

Black Irish are just dark-haired Irish. Nobody knows why they have dark hair.

Answer 2

Black Irish are caucasian Irish people with dark hair. I'm black Irish - I have dark brown hair and green eyes (I get red highlights which goes well but isn't my natural color). I was never blond as a child, I was born with dark hair and always had it. My baby girl was also born with a head of dark brown hair, just like me, and bright blue eyes, although her brother is blond. Another Irishwoman in the line ;-)

Answer 3

black Irish are not A) black.
B) a reference to skin color. if they were, well, then how many dark skinned people are there in Ireland?
however, the answer does have something to do w/ complexion ---->>> black Irish from what I understand are descendants from the Scotch-Irish who were "black" b/c of their affiliation with the British, and b/c they tended to be protestant. Google "orange order" and "orange and black" Irish and you will get the true answer.

Answer 4

Im not sure on this one but I think its from the days when the Romans invaded and occupied Ireland. A lot of them had darker features and black hair and interbred with the light skinned Irish hence the reference.

Answer 5

How VERY odd.....I was just awarded best answer to a question about the black irish. I'll just link you to my answer, but in brief, they're Irish with dark coloring. No mixtures.