This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our
Cookies Policy.
Download our app
11 things Irish people desperately need Americans to know
AMERICA, WE LOVE you.
But there are some things we need you to know.
1. First of all, having an Irish great-great-great grandmother who emigrated to America in 1876 doesn’t mean you’re “Irish”
“You’re from Ireland? I’m Irish, too!”
reactiongifs reactiongifs
That’s not really how it works.
2. Sorry, but we almost certainly don’t know your cousins
Charles Taber / Flickr Charles Taber / Flickr / Flickr
Ireland is small, but it’s not that small.
3. Saying “Top o’ the morning!” is neither charming nor appreciated
No Irish person in history has ever said this and saying it to an Irish person will just cause a lot of cringing.
This isn’t Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
4. Also, Irish people are not pirates
Sorry, Shaquille O’Neal, but “shiver me timbers” is a phrase used by fictional pirates and not Irish people.
Get it together.
5. Contrary to popular belief, this is a four-leaf clover and not a shamrock
JD Hancock / Flickr JD Hancock / Flickr / Flickr
You tell ‘em, Dara.
Got it?
6. There is nothing Irish about the “Irish goodbye”
Sure, there’s something very satisfying about slyly leaving a party without saying goodbye to anyone, but unfortunately there’s nothing Irish about the so-called “Irish goodbye”.
As Slate writes, it’s just another example of a negative stereotype.
TL;DR: we did not invent rudeness. Sorry to break it to you.
7. And don’t even get us started on Lucky Charms
Despite what the leprechaun on the packaging might have you believe, we have nothing to do with Lucky Charms.
No, we don’t have them here and, no, we don’t feel like we’re missing out on much.
We promise.
8. Films like P.S. I Love You and Leap Year are not in any way representative of modern Ireland
linapotter / Tumblr linapotter / Tumblr / Tumblr
Such films would have you believe that Ireland is filled with matchmakers, improbably handsome men and cute hoors who have nothing to do all day except drink pints in quaint pubs and charm American women.
Sadly, this is not the case.
Also, Matthew Goode’s accent in Leap Year? Not an Irish accent.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Ditto Gerard Butler’s accent in P.S. I Love You.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Sorry guys.
9. It makes us cringe when you say the word “pint”
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
OH GOD, PLEASE DON’T.
10. Don’t expect us to be amused by your gas t-shirts
Oh, good one. Never heard that one before.
As Shania Twain said…
11. It’s St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day
Paddy Not Patty Paddy Not Patty
Okay? Okay.
10 must-read commandments for people who think Irish people are British >
14 Facebook friends every Irish person has >
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
AMERICANS Craic Ireland Irish top o the morning