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Craicnet

English accents in Ireland

56 replies

Bid876 · 03/01/2022 22:07

Hi, I’ve read on a couple of posts recently about an anti English sentiment in some areas of the ROI. Before moving here I was secretly worried about this. I come from a big Irish family in the UK, my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents all Irish, so I was brought up to believe I was Irish. But I knew that not everyone in Ireland would feel that way. My DF was from a very anti English town, after an incident in the 70s when he had taken my Nan home to bury her sister his life was threatened by some very dangerous men, for no other reason that when they over heard him talking they didn’t hear the Irish accent he’d received abuse for in England, his accent was too English for their liking. Some of his cousins stuck him out of Ireland that night and got my Nan out the next day. That was the last time he or any of his family went home until he was terminally ill a few years ago.

When my DH was offered a job here I was worried about this, my parents grew up being bullied and abused for having an Irish accent in England, even as adults and I didn’t want the same happening to my children having an English accent in Ireland. Since moving here though I’ve been very relieved as I’ve not come across anything like this at all. My children absolutely love school and have been very welcomed, the same with any clubs I’ve signed them up for, which is all I cared about.

However, we may need to move out of the area we have settled in as it’s really hard to find houses in our price bracket. I wasnt worried about moving until I read other peoples posts on their experiences of being English in Ireland. Now I’m worried that we could move to an area that’s not as welcoming.

So the purpose of my post is to ask of those who do live in areas that you have have had problems, would you be willing to share those areas?

OP posts:
Bid876 · 06/01/2022 12:37

@Mufasa1118

What is really sad about this is that a lot of people with English accents in Ireland have Irish heritage. Usually an Irish parent.

Yet we still get abused for being English. How does that make sense. I never understood that. It's like abusing your own.

I was born in England . I've an Irish mother.

I've been abused many times in Ireland, for being English.

It's rough.

It definitely made me feel like I was worth absolutely nothing. It has affected my self esteem to this day.

It’s definitely hard, having 2 Irish parents I was always told I’m Irish not English, but because I was raised in England I’m not Irish because I wasn’t raised here even though I can trace my Irish ancestry back hundreds of years on both sides of the family and no English connection other than I happen to be born there.
OP posts:
Bid876 · 06/01/2022 12:46

@girljulian

I think it makes a difference what your "English" accent is, to be honest. I am Tyneside Irish -- my paternal grandparents were Irish, my father was first generation on Tyneside but we were heavily involved with the Tyneside Irish centre, always brought up to think of ourselves as Irish etc. My mother is Scottish. I speak with a Geordie accent.

When in Ireland (County Kerry) I have never ever had a negative reaction to my accent, but DH has a Home Counties accent and it has responded in sudden coldness from waitresses etc and some comments behind his back in shops.

I think this is definitely true. I use to have a Northern accent, brought up in a town where lots of Irish settled, it’s mellowed a lot with travelling. I think for me personally people can’t pin point my accent, even before it mellowed I’d be asked if I was Irish because I’d come out with things like Jesus, Mary and Joseph without thinking because it’s what we said in my family, or I’d say something that had an Irish twang to it. Then with living in london and other countries my accent is a bit of a mix. My DH is very posh Cheshire though.
OP posts:
Bid876 · 06/01/2022 12:49

@NearlyAHoarder that’s one place we are looking at. Our DCs go to an Educate Together school at the moment and I’d like to move somewhere they can continue to go to an Educate together school.

OP posts:
honeyrider · 06/01/2022 14:51

Sometimes it's not an English accent but the tone or manner in saying something that can cause a negative reaction.

UserBot989 · 07/01/2022 08:43

@wannabebetterwatchout

My sister (from GB) lives in Co Wexford (Hook peninsular) & I can't believe how many British folk live in & around her village!! It's not that 'ex pats' stick together, but genuinely there is a large % in that area - plus it's super friendly plus fabulous beaches!! You're in a v lucky position OP - I wouldn't hesitate!!
Kinsale would be another place like this. Or Schull. If you think anybody would react to your being English, they won't because there are so many.
Abhannmor · 09/01/2022 15:20

Totally this. Anywhere west of Kinsale is the English Riviera. Or Bantryshire as some call it. Jeremy Irons and other slebs down that way.

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