[zatara]

(04-12-2015 09:43 AM)CodyB Wrote:  

Understand your point bro, but homogeneity is a very subjective term. Sociologically speaking, "Irish" as a nationality probably came into existence after the English had colonised most of the country. Before then, the Island has seen its original Briton inhabitants overruled by the Celts (who didn't change the gene pool), the Norse (who injected many people, mainly men) into the population, the Norman French and finally the English.

But yes, "Black Irish" is anecdotal, however it is not without merit. The original inhabitans of Ireland were more than likely dark haired, olive skinned people. I would associate this look with men like James Nesbitt, Liam Neeson etc. anyway off track.

Norse immigration to Ireland was marginal in raw numbers, as was Norman. I don't have data for the Norman genetic legacy at hand, but Norse DNA is found in less than 0.5% of Irish people today. The new immigrant ruling class in both cases was gradually subsumed by the numerically superior natives, in the limited areas that they did manage to control. The English planations were substantial in certain areas (ie. Ulster in the C17th), but involved large numbers of Scots for the most part - who were extremely genetically similar to the native Irish. If you want to talk mixing from Celtic migration with any prehistoric natives you're looking at 5000 years ago...at which time point almost no nation on the planet had its current occupants.

Homogeneity is anything but subjective, genetically speaking. The current inhabitants of the island of Ireland are almost exactly the same genetically as the inhabihants were 500, 1000, or even 2000 years ago - unlike in most other regions on the planet. This is extremely rare. Ireland is one of the worst possible examples you could have used for your "mongrel mixing" point, that was why I felt the need to call you on it. Apologies if this comes accross at at all aggressive, but people throwing around anecdotal myths that are completely contradicted by the scientific facts always bugs me.

Oh and Liam Neeson is exactly averagely Irish looking, when hes not wearing makeup in a film. Pale skin, blue eyes, light brown hair: http://www.moviepilot.de/files/images/04...Neeson.jpg

Pretty much the only Irish people with dark skin are those with recent immigration in their family tree, or those who own fake tan bottles. Unfortunately for the ladies of Ireland