What does the rest of the world think of Ireland?

I know that Scarlett O'Hara dady(the personage) was irish and i think while i read it 'GONE WITH THE WIND' i was really careful about Ireland...Well,i guess they are all l ike all people more or less,and i know that the capital is Dublin...and there is a lot work for the police oficers to stop terorism(to me ireland don't seems to be very save)...

ok,i know also they have a ring named MOANAMCARA which mean loiality,friendship and love(if i know good)...by the way when i think at ireland i see with my mind eyes green fields...and tratition...

(I HOPE I DON'T DISAPOINT YOU??)

AUGUSTA

I have never been to Ireland but have met a lot of Irish people here in Australia. Some of the "stereotypes" do seem to be true of a lot of Irish people - like they like to drink and do spend a lot of times in pubs, but that is how they socialise, no? The Irish used to immigrate and go overseas for work until the late 90'2 and early 2000's when employment opportunities opened up again back home. I see the Irish as people who work and play hard. Oh, and also like singing.

Oh i know exactly what the world thinks! They think we are a nice kind people who are one with nature and leprachanes... but thats not TRUE! We are a drunk, obease people who are racist, sexists and the whole nine yards!

My ancestors come from Donegal. I live in Scotland though so I probably think of Ireland for exactly what it is. I haven't been but I imagine it has the most gorgeous countryside and stuff.

I think of guiness and clovers when I think of Ireland

I have not been to Ireland but I have met only a few Irish people in real life. Therefore, I do not know much about the Ireland or the Irish except for those cruel stupid jokes that people always tell during meeting and gathering. I do not believe that the real Irish are like that.

Apart from that, I have heard a lot about IRA and what they did. Well, since those stories are in the news, I would not know for sure how far true the news are.

I would love to visit Ireland if I had the chance.

Well, I've never been to Ireland, and I don't think I have any Irish in me, although I wish I did. But from what I've read, gathered, been influenced by, I think of Ireland as a place for rolling green hills, and gorgeous, but somewhat rainy beauty. I've also been led to believe that the Catholics and Protestants cannot get along at all, and this has led to extreme fights. But then, of course, there is the IRA, which seems to have a conflicting image over here.


All in all, what I think it more important than I what I hear, and I think of Ireland and the Irish as lovely people, with a long history that seems to follow them. But what country's history doesn't? If I ever got a chance to visit, I would in a minute. And you wouldn't have to bribe me with a four leaf clover!: )

i'm half irish by descent-i would like to visit my family someday:)
my grandmother always spoke of kind,generous people.

a lot of people where i live ply the stereotype,unfortunetly.st patrick's day in particular has become so unbearable to me by the way they act,i stay in.not a good day to be red-headed and pale:(

I think you are right that at least the Americans are enamored with Ireland. It is ironic, isn't it? as this country treated the immigrants so horribly when they first came over here. I think it was a religious persecution myself. I do have some Irish blood, but really do not know much about the ancestry. I think the Irish Brogue to be one of the most beautiful sounds on God's good earth. We had neighbors who are Irish Balladeers and they refused to perform any of the drinking songs, because of that bad rap that the Irish have gotten about being nothing but drunks.

My very good friends (married couple) before they met went to Ireland on seperate tours at the same time. They both prayed at Our Lady of Knock shrine to find a mate. They did not know this about eachother until after they were married for sometime. I just love that.

I'm irish, and live in Ireland all my life. I've travelled a good bit, and people are forever telling me how they love the irish because we're all so laid back and friendly. We are a nation of drinkers though. Which, to me, is a terrible way to be described. But hey, if the shoe fits.....

This is the second time I tried to respond to your post. I don't know what happened, but my response disappeared.

I love the Irish, and I have Irish ancestry, from county Sligo. My cousins were there,and I want to go too, someday. I tried to post a picture on my profile page, but it didn't show up, but I have some real nice ones that my cousins took when they were in Ireland. I'll have to try and post them. I love Irish music, specially fiddle musid, and Rory Gallagher is my favorite Irish rock guitar player.