Why were the Irish who migrated to Australia called 'green-n*****s', when they clearly have very white skin?

Question

The European criminal population at the time working hard manual labour would have thought this?

Answer 1

The Brits hated the Irish and right back at them. There are two types of Irish, the Greens and the Orange. The Orange are the Protestant ones from Northern Ireland, and Green are the Southern Irish. This was at a time the Green Irish were tenant farmers for the Brits. When the Potato rot hit in the 1860's the Brits, who owned the above ground crop did not allow their tenants to have any of the above crop. Many Irish died. Many left to America and Australia. In both places they met more Brits. The Brits hated the Irish, even though they filled the low level, poor paying jobs the English were to proud to take. (Sound familiar?) So, they were slandered accordingly.

Answer 2

The island of Ireland is a very green place. Lots of trees and grass. It is known for that and that is why we wear green on St. Patrick's Day. The Irish who went to Australia did not go there willingly. They were sent there as punishment for crimes committed in Ireland. Australia used to be known as a penal colony island. Also one of the colors of the Irish flag is green with white and orange.