Thread by @BTriagain

Regarding the racist & xenophobic blood argument of people calling themselves #Irish patriots... You clearly don't know #Ireland's history at all. Not our perpetual exodus to other countries as #immigrants, our status as a people of the #diaspora or our history of blending.... 1/

In roughly 12,500 BC the first inhabitants of Ireland arrived from overseas. They were hunter gatherers & they were later joined by a group in around 6000 BC. This second group brought agriculture & also high levels of CF amongst other hereditary genetic issues... They merged. 2/

Yes we are a Celtic people, but "Celticism" is an international culture which was imported & built on by the people who were already here. None of us have a right to claim that our blood & culture doesn't encourage immigration. Newcomers merged with the inhabitants to make us. 3/

So there we are, a people made up of two separate groups, who left their mark on our genetics & culture. Then we built on it to make it a #Gaelic language & culture.

We then spread out over Scotland & the Isle of Mann, changing the make up of those areas 4/

Then the Northmen came. They raided at first but quickly began to settle. They built several cities & slowly but surely became Irish. Changing what it meant to be Irish. Adding another level of civilisation, giving us cities & large ports etc. A more diverse culture & genepool 5/

Then the Normans came. They took some power but they too slowly but surely intermarried with the Irish, began speaking the language & adopting the culture, though adding aspects of themselves into it & again changing what it meant to be Irish. Changing the culture & our blood. 6/

Somewhere around now the Traveller community came into existence. Inarguably, deeply & quite uniquely Irish. Their genes, language & culture being unique, but hugely based on all of the surrounding influences.

The discrimination & othering of #Travellers is our greatest shame
7/

Then once the English had control of Ireland we had our Protestant brothers & sisters come over. Changing the culture, genepool, language, religious make up & political landscape of the nation forever. Pretty much birthing what our modern genepool & social landscape is today. 8/

During that time & since we've had people come from all over Europe, Africa, Asia, America & everywhere else imaginable

All adding to & changing the beautiful tapestry that is "Irish" identity today. We have ALWAYS been a multicultural & bilingual people. I'm Irish & European 9/

Our blood is a mix of international peoples, our culture is a blend of several different ethnic groups. We have ethnic & religious minorities here now who differ from the majority, but want to add to the tapestry. Not replace what's there, but add to it. Improving what was. 10/

"We", the Irish.... Every one of us, whether Catholic or protestant, Hindu or Muslim. Black or white, brown or yellow... Are part of what makes the #Gael. Our own ancient stories say we are immigrants

Táim go dubh i gcoinne an chiníochais ~ I stand squarely against racism

Sin é