Do Protestants feel alienated in Ireland?

I attended a mainly Protestant secondary school here in Dublin (although I'm not one myself) and I never got the impression that this was an issue.

However I have heard a lot of young Irish people make jokes about it a mixed company, in a way they probably wouldn't joke about other faiths. For example, pointing out a "Protestant characteristic" as an intended joke.
I'm not sure if that means that they feel so comfortable with the two traditions that it isn't a serious issue anymore, or that there is a contempt for their religion. I would guess it's the former as opposed to the latter, judging by the people concerned.

Ultimately, if someone abroad asked me if Irish people have indigenous religious divisions on the south of the island, my answer would be 'No. Religion is not a big issue there.'

Have to agree once you cross the border no-one gives a flying Fart , what religon you are.

Possibly in a UI it still may be issue in Ulster as we just have a history of it. But as you would agree with me I'm sure we are getting better.

Jigsaw wrote:

I was just wondering do Protestants feel alienated in Ireland? I was brought up in a Protestant background but now feel no affiliation to it. I fail to see why one cannot be Protestant and Irish. Tbh I VERY rarely go to church but I love Irish culture. I spent a large proportion of my formative years in Donegal (Glencolumbkille) and spend many weekends in Dublin. I feel Irish and I a be down in the pub with my Donegal shirt on for the GAA and with my Ireland shirt on for the rugby but I wonder how well I would be received in the event of a united Ireland. Now I am now political or economic expert but in principle I'd love this island to be united.

It seems to me (and I may be wide of the mark) that Protestants are seem as bad. Where I go to church (and I don't even go) doesn't really matter.

My dad was brought up as Church Of Ireland but loved and played football and hurling and also spoke Irish.

I don't know where I stand. I hate the nonsense. I have for a time yearned to move to Dublin but I'd love to learn a bit more. I think I just want the same as what YOU want.

J

I'm Protestant and have never felt alienated in the South (where I've lived all my life). There have been some strange moments though such as the day the Pope came to to town and all my childhood friends headed off to the Phoenix Park to see him and I wasn't allowed! Also wondering why everyone had dirty faces on Ash Wednesday. Wondering what to do when the rosary is being said at a funeral (why do they say it so fast?).

My wife is Catholic, most of my friends are Catholics (of the usual lapsed variety), we chose to have our daughter baptised CoI but as far as I'm concerned, she can make up her own mind when she's older. This just gives her more options.
As regards attitudes towards Protestants in the Republic, I think it's a non-issue for the vast majority of the population. There are jokes amongst my friends (both ways might I say) but let's face it, religion is no longer the deal it once was. And that's a good thing imo.

I think if you were to ask my parents generation (back in the good old days when Dev asked Bishop McQuaid what government policy should be) the same question, they might give you a somewhat different answer. It sounded a more repressive society where Protestants tended to band together, intermarry etc.

Our grandparents generation would probably tell an even more different story; remember that a fairly vicious campaign of sectarian murder and forced eviction was practiced in the countryside after 1922 against those perceived as 'Big House' Protestants, i.e. the former ruling class. The Protestant population of the South dropped sharply in that period with many choosing to emigrate to England.

As for Northern Protestants attitudes towards the South, I think they have probably changed rapidly in the last decade or so (especially among the younger generation). They are jealous of our economic success and also enjoy our more relaxed society (the North is still highly respressive in many ways) - hence so many of them are moving here. Will still be generations before the sectarian attitudes on both sides are removed however - the only answer is integrated, non-religious schooling imo. Good luck with that!

there's a long rambling reply for ye now!

I must admit my ignorance but I didn't know any divorced person could remarry in a catholic church. For me religion/lack of is not an issue for me. I get annoyed though when people ask me my religion, not sure why it irks me.

Jigsaw wrote:

I was warned by someone that there may be prejudice towards me if I moved to Dublin!

yes there will be massive prejudice

but only because you're 'a bleedin' culchie'!

mike65 wrote:

when schooling and medical proceedures enter the mix you see how one faith is clearly favoured over another, in fact any other.

Mike.

yes, I have to admit I would be a bit freaked to send a child to the local convent/Christian Brothers school (maybe that's just me)

also, hospital faith-based policies are very scary things - especially for women

M&#250 wrote: »

Immigration has changed the whole dynamic now too. There are a lot more Protestants in the South now based on immigration from Protestants communities from all over the world coming to Ireland. A lot of it seems to of a more evanagelical type too.

And then of course in the North you have Polish Catholics in the mix too and amny of them joining the police force there!

Think your a wee bit of there many are applying and possibly some get in. But its good to see.

just like there needs to be a few Black, Polish and Asian gardai

Fratton Fred wrote:

In Ireland I have found that whilst religion is not an issue, it is still there.

I'd agree with that. Maybe there's not discrimination among the general population, but it's still something that's mentioned, especially at times of weddings and christenings. I know people in my work who worry about how people would react to their religion, so they keep it quiet.

I want to send my kids to non-demonational schools but there is simply no realistic option especially at Primary Level. I find it appauling that state funded schools should be under so much control of the Catholic Church to the extent that in some areas they are even restricting enrolement to Catholics. I would hope that clinical needs are over riding religious belief in our hospitals these days, but it'd be interesting to see what their ethos would suggest if it was, for example, a case of Mother or Baby in our Maternity hospitals.

Speaking as a Catholic who was lucky enough to be brought up in a multi-demonational environment...

luckat wrote:

It honestly gives me the creeps, the way Northerners have to know what religion you are, and the way they ask sneaky little questions - "Where did you go to school?" - "Is there a chapel in your area?" - to find out. Icky.

lol the ones you know must be amateurs, in my experience they can usually tell just by looking at you...("so are you a Catholic Muslim or a Protestant Muslim?")

it freaks them out a bit to meet Southern Protestants with Catholic names!

I'm a protestant from south dublin and have rarely felt alienated.
I lived in Ennis for a while. I saw an Irish flag with the orange part torn off flying outside a shop. The mundanity of it made it seem so acceptable, and I was offended and felt alienated then.

Some feelings of alienation come from what other protestants have said to me - when I was young I was told that catholics have no conscience and are just animals really - which was shocking and not an idea I entertained.

Generally the only peope who have any issue with you being protestant are total idiots, and I don't mind being alienated from total idiots.

I think it has reached a stage where prodestants don't feel alienated. With any insults viewed as a joke (insert retort) or from people not worth considering. The key being; the majority of people in the country realising that religion is not relevent when forming your opinion of a person.

Its positive that most young prodestants today are moving in wider social circles and not just part of a community within a community. My grandfather for example was viewed as a black sheep becasue he played gaelic football while his brothers on the other hand only really interacted with other prodestants (church,school,aggriculture,rugby).

It is probably the case that older generations felt a certain need/want to become clanish and this has resulted in a feeling of alienation for some older prodestants.

In all I think things look positive for the future.