Irish and Scottish roots in Galicia/ North Western Spain

[dfmacliam]

'Black Irish' is a traditional (or racist, depending on who you ask) term commonly used in Irish American communities, to describe dark brown/black hair appearing in people of Irish descent, as opposed to the light brown, blond, or red hair colors stereotypically perceived as typical Irish folks.

Because the Irish were stereotyped for so long as redheaded backward isolated barbarians, the Spanish Armada theory was often used to explain the darker haired Irish.

In truth the Irish were pretty well developed as seafairing traders, and got around quite a bit. And while they do enjoy a higher percentage of pale skinned light or red haired types than most nations, most are darker haired. No doubt generations of "cultural relations" with folks from the Iberian peninsula impacted that.

I have heard this explaination many times, but I am not so sure its a complete truth. My family have always considred themselves "Black Irish", and they are from the Island.. I came to the States as a child, and we are the first to come here, on my mother's side.

It was explained to me,before, that the term black or dhub also means foreign or foreigner... meaning someone whose roots are from another country... yes, usually it was Spanish roots, but others were present, too.. If I am not mistaken, my family has some Huguenot blood in it.. and they were French Protestants (Calvinists) who fled France and religious persecution.