Ah you're a Catholic!

I’m from a Catholic family, grandparents were Irish. I’d (reasonably) assume a majority of Irish people had been baptised/confirmed as Catholics, but I find it really odd that so many people find it so notable that it’s the first thing they blurt out!

I was going to say is it an older generation thing - my old neighbour was Irish, and one of the first things she said to me was that she was a Protestant! But you’ve said it’s younger people who have commented? Very weird, I don’t ever wonder or comment on what religion someone is.

That’s slightly different. Most people know Sikh, Muslim and Hindu are the main religions of India. Whereas most people would assume (yes they shouldn’t) that most Irish people (southern) are catholic.

All you have to say is no. And explain if need be. Most of my Irish friends are Catholic but one northern Irish one isn’t Catholic. No idea what religion actually.

I assume no one would think it’d be ok if, on meeting someone from India they were to pipe up, oh, you’ll be a Hindu then.

My parents are Irish Catholic's OP. They moved to London and i was born and raised here as a Catholic. Primary and secondary schools, holy communion at age 7, confirmation. We had to go to mass in school twice a week, Sunday's with my parents. My Mother and Grandmother carried around rosary beads. Statue of Jesus with a little light underneath hanging up in the hallway of our home. It was intense at the time especially with going to church. My parents and especially my father's side of the family are very sociable and spend alot of time together.
When I around 17 I stopped going to church. I suppose I was sick of it all. I wanted to make my own choices. They were ok until I met my future DH and he isnt religious. My parents had their hearts set on me having this great big wedding and getting married in their Catholic church. I wanted to get marriage in our local registry office and then hired a lovely venue for a party to celebrate our wedding. My parents did not talk to me for 7 months but I stood my ground and I had an amazing day. Everyone did.
My dc's arent raised Catholic but I did have them christened church of England. My Dbro and Dsis are not practising Catholic's and none of us have sent our dc's to Catholic schools.

I wonder if they are trying to open up conversation. I wouldnt think anything of it.

I have worked throughout Britain since around 2010 and have absolutely NEVER had anyone verbalise an assumption about my religion.

That may be because specifically, I am from Northern Ireland and it may be seen as a total ‘no-no’ subject to even mention 🤣

Oh just chill would ye. My DH is a Dub - Northsider with a working class accent and he's often clocked as an Irish Catholic at home and here in the UK. He's actually Presbyterian.

Funniest episode was in a Unionist area in Northern Ireland when he went into a pub and ordered a pint...but that's for another day.

Do some people here think that all Irish people are Catholics?

Yes

Some people here also think Irish = supporting the IRA and that NI & ROI are the same country

That's a bit weird for a number of reasons:

1. To assume you are religious based the country you come from.
2. To assume what your religion is based on the country you come from.
3. To bring it up in conversation as if it's normal small talk or relevant in any way.

My grand parents were Irish and Catholic and I wouldn't make that assumption about anyone from Ireland.

Do you have a first name that might traditionally be associated with Catholicism e.g Assumpta, Magdalen, I'm sure there are more ordinary names with similar associations. I have a friend called Miriam who is often assumed to be Jewish, largely due to her name, but isn't.

My father's family are Irish (ROI) and, as it happens, are largely practicing Catholics; but I'd never assume it of a random Irish person I met in a non-religious context!

I’m the same age and Irish. I know hardly anyone who was raised no religion and only a handful of people who were raised a different religion.
Most people I know were christened Catholic though most of them rarely if ever go to Mass. Even now, most of the people in my community automatically get their kids christened even though they don’t really practice otherwise.
I haven’t had my dc christened. There’s only 2 others in her class at school who won’t be making their communion and people are still asking me would I not just get dc christened.
If someone assumed I was Catholic I wouldn’t bat an eyelash.
It is interesting to me that you’re surprised by it.
It must be different in different parts of Ireland.

I tend to not assume someone's religion (or even if they have a religion) unless they're wearing something that explicitly (or potentially) marks them out as of a particular faith.

It is a little strange that people assume you must be Catholic. Just because something is the majority viewpoint doesn't mean that everyone adheres to it.

I don't think they mean anything by it and are just trying to be friendly and helpful. I'd suggest just politely correcting their assumption.

I would assume you were probably from a Catholic background but not that you were actually a Catholic

I can't imagine mentioning it to you though