A "black Irishman" is an Irishman who has dark hair instead of the more common red or fair hair. Are there also people with dark hair who are "black" English, Scottish, or Welsh?

zbeckabee

I'm only familiar with the term as defined on this first link: "The term "Black Irish" refers to those descended from the Spanish invaders of Ireland in the 16th century -- you know, the Spanish Armada that fought the Brits around that time. They generally have black hair. "Red Irish" are the original Celtic inhabitants of Ireland. They generally have red hair. There is a relatively friendly rivalry between the two groups. But calling someone "Black Irish" is no slur." WIKI also addresses the issue an the second link. I'll let someone else address the English/Scottish and Welsh part of the question. http://www.sternfannetwork.com/forum/showthread/t-6788.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Irish Oct 23 07, 11:20 AM

red_stone

English, scots, and Welsh can also have black hair, but then again so can Canadians, Americans and Australians. It depends on your genetics. Here is a line that indicates dark hair can come from England. "Black Irish also can indicate those who came as immigrants from other places (generally England.)" his line is also from the same source, "strong indications that the original 'Black Dutch' were swarthy complexioned Germans but Anglo-Americans loosely applied the term to any dark-complexioned American of European descent." This link answers some of the genetic descent in Black Irish, as well as Black Scot, a term they used. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_'Black_Irish'_mean Oct 23 07, 12:16 PM