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AIBU?

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Original poster

Ah you're a Catholic!

435 replies

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 19:50

I moved to England to work last year. I'm Irish.

When I arrived at my workplace, one of my colleagues said "Ah you are Irish, this is a nice city, there is a Catholic church down the road that you can go to".

I think she was trying to be helpful but I thought it was quite bizarre. I'm not Catholic and I told her so.

Second time - I was out in the pub with a mixed group of people. Some of them I had never met before. One man said "ah you're Irish, you're a Catholic!" I told him Im not.

Third time- I was at another group. A woman said to me "you are Irish. Ah so you like such and such. And you are a Catholic". I told her I am not.

I found it strange as I have never really thought about religiom. Do some people here think that all Irish people are Catholics? My family were not religious at all and I was never brought up any religion

OP posts:
Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:14

Returnofthetoad did you watch the new Netflix series "how to get heaven from Belfsst" from the makers of Derry girls? I enjoyed it. There a lot of fr ted and derry girls actors in it

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Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:13

ReturnOfTheToad · 24/02/2026 23:11

Now tea drinking would be a fair Irish stereotype, we drink more tea per capita than anywhere else in the world except Turkey.

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I do love a cup! Haha

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ReturnOfTheToad · 24/02/2026 23:11

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:05

Lol. Im not 'raging'in any way. Im sitting here having a cup of tea.

Its just a topic of discussion.

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Now tea drinking would be a fair Irish stereotype, we drink more tea per capita than anywhere else in the world except Turkey.

Hollyhobbi · 24/02/2026 23:07

Hollyhobbi · 24/02/2026 23:05

That tool McGregor is not one bit popular here! In fact the vast majority of us in Ireland think he should be locked up!

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Apologies I see you meant he’s popular in the USA! I wish he’d emigrate there😁

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:06

Hollyhobbi · 24/02/2026 23:05

That tool McGregor is not one bit popular here! In fact the vast majority of us in Ireland think he should be locked up!

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Yes I know. :). Though I did visit the USA before his rape (in ireland) case. He is presumably less popular in the USA now.

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NotMeAtAll · 24/02/2026 23:06

My friend's son had an English visitor explain to him what a Playstation was. That was about five years ago.

There is a notion that some people have that Ireland is somehow "backward" compared to the UK.

Hollyhobbi · 24/02/2026 23:05

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:01

Ive been to America. The first thing they all said to me about Ireland was Conor McGregor!

He is an Irish Mixed martial artist fighter. He is very popular there.

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That tool McGregor is not one bit popular here! In fact the vast majority of us in Ireland think he should be locked up!

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:05

Newbie8918 · 24/02/2026 23:02

It’s a ‘fair’ assumption as the majority are in some areas of Ireland. My friend is Turkish. Lots of people ask whether shes muslim, admittedly it’s usually food or drink related. She just answers ‘no’ she’s not a practicing Muslim and will eat pork and have the occasional glass of wine. Again……it’s a ‘fair’ but incorrect assumption in her case. She doesn’t rage about it.

Its really not worth getting this worked up over. I can see why it’s an assumption. It’s incorrect in your case……just say ‘no’.

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Lol. Im not 'raging'in any way. Im sitting here having a cup of tea.

Its just a topic of discussion.

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SorcererGaheris · 24/02/2026 23:03

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 21:55

And atheists.

It's a majority yes. I wouldnt describe it as a vast majority, when we are talking about millions of people.

It is a percentage that is also getting lower, every year that it has been checked.

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@Appleday11

Pagans/Druids as well.

Newbie8918 · 24/02/2026 23:02

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:49

Of course its not "fair" to assume im a Catholic.

As Ive already written, there were many non Catholics in school in Ireland with me in the 90s. I certainly wasn't the only one.

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It’s a ‘fair’ assumption as the majority are in some areas of Ireland. My friend is Turkish. Lots of people ask whether shes muslim, admittedly it’s usually food or drink related. She just answers ‘no’ she’s not a practicing Muslim and will eat pork and have the occasional glass of wine. Again……it’s a ‘fair’ but incorrect assumption in her case. She doesn’t rage about it.

Its really not worth getting this worked up over. I can see why it’s an assumption. It’s incorrect in your case……just say ‘no’.

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 23:01

Fearlesssloth · 24/02/2026 22:59

I suppose a mixture of the media (Father Ted, Derry Girls - which I know was Northern Ireland but ROI was often featured, The Magdalene Sisters), Irish people I’ve met throughout my life, who have all been Catholics, and just the reputation Ireland has for having such a huge Catholic and religious presence. I bet if you asked most people in the UK (or even America) what’s the first thing that comes into your head when you think of Ireland the answer would be priest or nun

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Ive been to America. The first thing they all said to me about Ireland was Conor McGregor!

He is an Irish Mixed martial artist fighter. He is very popular there.

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Fearlesssloth · 24/02/2026 22:59

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:35

Why did you think that?

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I suppose a mixture of the media (Father Ted, Derry Girls - which I know was Northern Ireland but ROI was often featured, The Magdalene Sisters), Irish people I’ve met throughout my life, who have all been Catholics, and just the reputation Ireland has for having such a huge Catholic and religious presence. I bet if you asked most people in the UK (or even America) what’s the first thing that comes into your head when you think of Ireland the answer would be priest or nun

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:52

Playingvideogames · 24/02/2026 22:50

presumably the same reason a lot of Irish people won’t know much about other places if they’ve never had cause to learn or go there 🤷‍♀️ just a few outdated ‘facts’.

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I knew a lot about the Uk before I moved here.

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ReturnOfTheToad · 24/02/2026 22:52

I'm 40 and wasn't baptised. I don't think my religion or lack of has ever come up in conversation as an adult here in Ireland. I don't think anyone who knows me knows that one of my parents was Protestant and the other Catholic. It's never come up in conversation. Neither of them ever practised religion in any way as adults. My kids are without religion like me and have always attended multidenominational schools so religion has never been a feature in their lives either. My kids do joke though that my Protestant side is showing when I tell them to put the toaster back into the cupboard.

Playingvideogames · 24/02/2026 22:51

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:49

Of course its not "fair" to assume im a Catholic.

As Ive already written, there were many non Catholics in school in Ireland with me in the 90s. I certainly wasn't the only one.

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I don’t think it’s worth the angst you’re giving it.

For what it’s worth, I am Catholic, with a religious sounding name, and when people meet me they’re surprised as ‘I don’t look Catholic or like a (insert my name)’.

Not something to get worked up over IMO

Playingvideogames · 24/02/2026 22:50

Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:48

Why do they know that and a lot of them don't know anything else!

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presumably the same reason a lot of Irish people won’t know much about other places if they’ve never had cause to learn or go there 🤷‍♀️ just a few outdated ‘facts’.

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:49

Newbie8918 · 24/02/2026 22:47

Religion has cultural significance in Ireland but surely you know that? Also I’d assume that someone with no religion was the minority in your school in the 80s and 90s.

If you have a noticeable Southern Irish accent, it’s probably ‘fair’ to assume that you are Catholic. Your colleagues probably don’t think it’s offensive to make this assumption.

You seemed to be triggered however. I’d just say ‘oh no thanks Jenny, I’m not religious’ and leave it at that. I wouldn’t necessarily be offended by it.

Of course its not "fair" to assume im a Catholic.

As Ive already written, there were many non Catholics in school in Ireland with me in the 90s. I certainly wasn't the only one.

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Playingvideogames · 24/02/2026 22:48

How weird. There are loads of English Catholics, and a Catholic Church in every town. I’ve never heard anyone make comments like that.

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:48

AnotherCuppaWillDo · 24/02/2026 22:46

I think you’re being unreasonable by over-estimating the standard English person’s knowledge of Ireland. When I lived there, l met so many people that didn’t know the difference in the North & the Republic, didn’t know that the Republic uses euros, and one even asked me did we have supermarkets in Ireland (in 2010!). A lot of them gave no consideration at all by what Brexit might mean for Ireland (north & south). They go by what little they know. They don’t know it’s a more multicultural place now and one of the few things they probably know is that Ireland is historically VERY catholic. I can understand their assumption, as I would assume most white Irish people have Catholic heritage - not that they’re necessarily practicing Catholics

Why do they know that and a lot of them don't know anything else!

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Newbie8918 · 24/02/2026 22:47

Religion has cultural significance in Ireland but surely you know that? Also I’d assume that someone with no religion was the minority in your school in the 80s and 90s.

If you have a noticeable Southern Irish accent, it’s probably ‘fair’ to assume that you are Catholic. Your colleagues probably don’t think it’s offensive to make this assumption.

You seemed to be triggered however. I’d just say ‘oh no thanks Jenny, I’m not religious’ and leave it at that. I wouldn’t necessarily be offended by it.

AnotherCuppaWillDo · 24/02/2026 22:46

I think you’re being unreasonable by over-estimating the standard English person’s knowledge of Ireland. When I lived there, l met so many people that didn’t know the difference in the North & the Republic, didn’t know that the Republic uses euros, and one even asked me did we have supermarkets in Ireland (in 2010!). A lot of them gave no consideration at all by what Brexit might mean for Ireland (north & south). They go by what little they know. They don’t know it’s a more multicultural place now and one of the few things they probably know is that Ireland is historically VERY catholic. I can understand their assumption, as I would assume most white Irish people have Catholic heritage - not that they’re necessarily practicing Catholics

Itsmetheflamingo · 24/02/2026 22:37

user1492757084 · 24/02/2026 22:36

When I visited Ireland I felt like I were Catholic.
I, to this day, have a new appreciation for the Catholic traditions.
I love saying my forebears were Irish Catholic.

So the curiosity would be coming from a place of reverence and admiration. And a recent exploration of the Potato Famines etc perhaps.

Oh dear I’d stop now before you can sound any less Irish or more offensive 🙈

user1492757084 · 24/02/2026 22:36

When I visited Ireland I felt like I were Catholic.
I, to this day, have a new appreciation for the Catholic traditions.
I love saying my forebears were Irish Catholic.

So the curiosity would be coming from a place of reverence and admiration. And a recent exploration of the Potato Famines etc perhaps.

Original poster
Appleday11 · 24/02/2026 22:35

Fearlesssloth · 24/02/2026 22:34

I’m mid 30s and assumed everyone in republic of Ireland was Catholic, but I wouldn’t assume they were all necessarily practicing catholics - I wouldn’t say “there’s a church down the street for you” like your friend did! But I’d assume you were all brought up in a Catholic household with varying degrees of practising (that was the only word I could think of!)

Why did you think that?

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Fearlesssloth · 24/02/2026 22:34

I’m mid 30s and assumed everyone in republic of Ireland was Catholic, but I wouldn’t assume they were all necessarily practicing catholics - I wouldn’t say “there’s a church down the street for you” like your friend did! But I’d assume you were all brought up in a Catholic household with varying degrees of practising (that was the only word I could think of!)