Irish people

Irish Life and Character E-Book

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• published: 09 Oct 2016
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Read your free e-book: http://installapp.us/mebk/50/en/B0029LGML4/book This volume was published in 1898 so be prepared to face 19th century attitudes toward Ireland with its unique customs, politics, humor, problems and culture. From the book's Preface I hope I have achieved the object which I have had in view in writing this book, namely, to give a clear, full and faithful picture of Irish life and character, illustrated by anecdotes and by my own recollections and experiences during a twelve years connection with Irish journalism. Hitherto no attempt has been made to do for Ireland what Dean Ramsay, in his ever popular Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character, has done so well for Scotland. There is no complete collection of real, genuine Irish anecdotes which throw light on the character, customs, manners, and ways of thought of the Irish people. Many of the anecdotes passing current as Irish entirely lack the Irish note, the Irish spirit; and therefore, while they may excite strangers to laughter, they make no appeal whatever to the understanding and sympathy of those who have any knowledge of Ireland and the Irish nature, except, perhaps, to arouse a feeling of annoyance or disgust. They are simply extravagant exaggerations and burlesques of certain phases of Irish character. None of these manufacturerd stories will be found in this book. While most of my anecdotes are new and fresh, some of them have, no doubt, been met with or heard of before, but I have admitted into my collection only anecdotes that are truly genuine, really humorous, and certainly characteristic of the Irish people. The face of Ireland, as seen in these pages, is always puckered with a smile. I think I have shown that the world-wide reputation for humour, conscious and unconscious, which the Irish people enjoy is well founded. But I should be disappointed if the book were regarded simply as a collection of droll stories. I hope it will lead to a better understanding by other nationalities of the characteristics of the Irish race; to a wider recognition and appreciation of their many good qualities, to a kindler tolerance of their faults and follies, which are mainly due to the chequered history of the race, to the wayward circumstances of their unhappy past. Michael Macdonagh ..............................................................................