I am a Protestant. Do you think people in Ireland will be ok with me?

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Podge and Rodge Tribute Band

Of course they'll be ok with ya. Most people down here don't care about that sort of thing. Your perceptions are probably based more upon what goes in the North than what goes on in the Republic.

As Mr Magoo said, as long as you don't put on a Bowler hat and march up and down outside the Sinn Fein Offices singing 'The Sash My Father Wore' you'll be fine!

old know all

There are plenty of protestants in the Republic. So what kind of protestant are you? If you want to march up and down in your leather apron and bowler hat, you might get a hostile reception. If you respect the people you come into contact with, they will respect you.

whycantigetagoodnickname

Most people won't even care what religion you are to be honest.

Priscilla Duck

You are definitely overthinking this. At worst, you may be treated with curiosity, but religion is a pretty private affair and people in the Republic aren't as vehemently religious as they were 30 years ago.

I don't know how old you are, but one thing I have found is that the very young are the ones who express the most extremist views about matters political and religious. For the most part it is ignorance and lack of experience, but if you do run into these sort of attitudes please be aware that they are a minority and that if you meet these people again in ten years time, most of them will have grown out of their bigoted ways and would be mortified to remember the diatribe they had once spouted. People also take the pi$$ out of each other a lot - it's a national pasttime - so be prepared for some teasing - folks jump on any difference they can, it doesn't matter if it's freckles, a lisp, an accent or your religion, they'll find something to mock you about. Take it in the spirit it is (mostly) meant and just slag them back as much as you can.

Personally, I am a non-believer who comes from a traditionally Catholic family and have had sisters and cousins marry people of different creeds, colours and nationalities and it matters not a jot. I have a Scottish husband with Catholic and Protestant family members. We all get on the finest. You are hardly a traitor because of your birthright, and the more the different groups on this island mingle the more we will understand each other. Come and be welcome.

Jas B

I am one of thousands of Brits living in Ireland, many of them protestants. My daughter went to school for her last two years and had no problems because she was British or not a catholic.

The Irish are very friendly and welcoming and in four years we have all been made to feel welcome.

Stop worrying I am sure you will have a great time.

Flying mop dog

I'm Protestant and I've never really had any problems.

eefs

i highly doubt you'll have any problems! i'm living down here in the republic and i've never seen that kind of discrimination. i'm not saying it doesn't happen, but if it does its few and far between, and from the kind of people you wouldn't want to give the time of day to.

so i hope it'll be good for you!!

bluebell

You ask what if my Catholic daughter married you the Protestant. She did - obviously not you, but a lovely N.I. fellow and I couldn't ask for a nicer son-in-law. Lovely wedding and they are blissfully happy. The only sour note came from the N.I.battalion who didn't attend because (a) she is Catholic and (b) the wedding was south of the border. Well, if they insist on being blinkered, there's not much we can do about it. They missed a great day, but their choice. The baby will be christened in a Protestant church, and that's OK. We'll all be there, of course.

Nobody asks what religion you are down here, or cares. It will only be an issue if you make it one. Many N.I people have come and got the highest jobs here - RTE is a good example. Lots of Northern accents. And the Celtic Tiger (when it was purring) brought so many different nationalities and beliefs to our shores ..... the schools are filled with children of every faith and none at all. No problem.

Come and join us and discover we really are OK. We probably won't match up to any preconceived notions about us. And you're welcome here when you come.

Orla C

Unfortunately it's true that people tend to equate your religion with your politics, and this is a mistake.

There are hundreds of Protestants living in County Limerick for example, and nobody bats an eyelid. Seriously. Nobody cares anymore. And this is in a county that is supposed to be an IRA hotbed.

You can point out to any begrudgers that you have every right to be here. Many of the earliest proponents of Ireland as a nation in its own right and not a colony of England were Dublin Protestants, and honey, there are many, MANY Dublin Protestants. That comedian Andrew Maxwell is a Dubliner through and through, and he's also a Protestant. All of the members of U2 are Protestant, I have heard.

Remember, the flag of the Republic has the colours of both communities on it, green and orange, with the white in between.

To be honest, I am quite surprised that you or your friends have encountered this. I thought that most people were done with all that. Goes to show that even with all the things that we can be doing whenever we have some spare time, we still don't have enough, to be harping on about a phase in Irish history that quite frankly belongs in the past.

You can come to my house anytime. I'm a Pagan. As in Goddess Worshipper. And Irish. Officially my parents were Catholic, but .... not really, not deep down. My mother STILL equates the number of cattle with wealth!

Honest Guy (Eire)

LISTEN DUDE NO ONE IN THE REPUBLIC CARES WHAT YOU ARE , IVE LIVED THERE AND ONLY REALISED ABOUT CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS WHEN I MOVED UP NORTH

kitty

People in the republic of ireland really couldnt care less if someone is catholic or protestant its only in northern ireland that it becomes an issue.

deburca98

One of the republics greatest heroes was a protestant named Wolfe Tone, the republic was founded by catholics and protestants who fought together in places like vinegar hill.
it does not matter down here if you can take the odd joke that is meant in good humor then you will be fine.

Wolfgirl

No you'll be grand. You could even get involved in organising the next 'love ulster parade'. If anyone gives you hassle just slag them off.

Why When How

no one will give a sh*te

wwJad

if you keep your coal in the bath
a pig in the yard
and get drunk most days
no one will know the difference

Trish D

Nobody here will care about your religion.

The Fetus

To answer this quickly - no one gives a sh*t anymore, and I mean that. Them days are over.

Misty Blue

Did you know that in Rossnowlagh in Donegal they have Orange Parades on the 12th and everyone Catholic,Protestant et al joins in the fun and makes a day of it.Down here you'll be considered Irish regardless of your religion, so you're one of us.Seriously so long as you don't do the politics thing you'll be sorted.

Tommy2cans

I have 3 protestants friends were always slagging each other off messin but there no hatred and nobody will care aslong as ur not unionist then obviously some people would not be too happy but to most wouldnt make a difference.

Dont heed the people online they cowards who do there talkin online where they know they're safe.

Also the negative view is also of Dublin scumbags who are loud and and obviously anti-english but u'll never have any dealin with them

plato

Hello- they don't go around asking you that in the Republic- they are too laid back . There is the Church of Ireland which as you know is the Protestant church. No problems. The North where I come from has pockets of (who is who and what are you) but is gradually improving. I know how you feel and it's understandable. Many don't go to church anymore but still see themselves as either of the divide in name only. I would say just get on with your life and eat drink and be merry- you will find that is in most peoples minds now. There are people with more extreme views aound but then they are everywhere in the world. Good luck!

Puzzledirishgirl

Wouldn't worry. Those days are gone. Thankfully. Some people who are bigots might care but the rest of us don't. You will get on fine.

when the sun goes down

tbh no one will care.

louiseb92

NO i can honestly say that no one will care...plus some girls dig the accent

ireneseanoshea

They couldn't care less if you were a welsh tobacconist Gareth Fitzgerald was prime minister and he was protestant(church of ireland)

Rossie

You'll be fine, things have changed quite rapidly in Ireland in recent years, a more diverse population, and a more integrated society has emerged. Try not to over think the situation, and enjoy the move.

froggequene

To be honest, most people don't care about the issue of religion, there are many thriving Protestant communities in the Republic.

I wouldn't pay that much attention to comments made on the internet about who does and does not have the right to be on the island of Ireland or what religion they should be - some people need to pull their heads out of their *rses & look at the world with a clear eye.

Cian R

In my county there are about 12,000 protestants in a county of 130,000 and in my class of 25 there are 4 so you wont b on your own. If you are Church of Ireland then there should be a church nearby. And my county isnt a border county because it is on the south east coast.

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