The Irish and Anglo-Irish

The Irish generally refer to the native people of Ireland, with a shared cultural heritage rooted in Gaelic traditions and language. The Anglo-Irish are a specific group composed of people of English descent who settled in Ireland, often during and after British rule, and who usually identified culturally and administratively with Britain while living in Ireland. Historically, tensions arose between native Irish and Anglo-Irish elites over land, governance, and identity, influencing Ireland’s social and political landscape. Today, these distinctions are less rigid, with many blending identities, but historical differences still shape cultural discussions.