What does black Irish mean?

Answer 1

There are many theories about the genetic origin of the so-called Black Irish. Some posit that the original inhabitants of Ireland had black hair, blue eyes, and olive skin. The Spanish left their mark; but there were other Mediterranean peoples who may have entered the genetic pool. Don't forget the Romans, who conquered what is now Great Britain not long after the birth of Christ. This is probably the most likely theory, even though the Romans withdrew their presence ca. 410 AD. Nearly four centuries is plenty of time for the two populations to have mingled extensively, and created dark-haired, dark-eyed descendants.

The tendency is for the marvelous ginger hair and blue/blue-green eyes to be considered traditional Irish features. But this was apparently not part of the original Irish gene pool; Vikings from Norway brought red and blonde hair and lighter colored eyes. The remains of a Viking city were discovered when excavations began for additions to Dublin's city hall. Some artifacts were removed and cemented in place in the pavement around the area so that the ancient town would e remembered, not destroyed.

The photo is of my father, whose grandfather was Irish - both grandfather and father had black hair and blue eyes. My dad got the brown eyes from his mother.

Answer 2

Irish people have differing pigmentation and hair color. "Black Irish" just means Irish with black (or very dark brown) hair.

Answer 3

Black Irish is a dark person of Irish or mixed-Irish descent, a term used chiefly in the United States.