History Main / FightingIrish

This can be [[TropesAreFlexible played many ways]]; nowadays a good-natured BoisterousBruiser is the most common type, but Fighting Irish can also be be remorseless {{Blood Knight}}s, tyrannical bullies, or terrorist psychopaths. If a Fighting Irish character is or was in the [[TheTroubles Irish Republican Army]] expect them to have a bit of the MadBomber thrown in.

-->'''KENT BROCKMAN:''' [[KentBrockmanNews "Drunkenness, fighting, destruction of property: are these really the qualities we associate with the Irish?]]"

-->'''KENT BROCKMAN:''' [[KentBrockmanNew "Drunkenness, fighting, destruction of property: are these really the qualities we associate with the Irish?]]"

This may very slowly be becoming a DiscreditedTrope; while in the 19th century Irish soldiers did indeed make up a disproportionate number of soldiers in the [[TheBritishEmpire British]] and [[AmericanCivilWar American]] armies (and are still allowed to join the British Army) times have moved on even if the stereotype hasn't. [[RealityIsUnrealistic Ironically]], Ireland is one of very few countries to become independent in the 20th century to have ''never'' been in a war. During WorldWarTwo it remained neutral because it couldn't sell the idea of England being worse than the Nazis to its populace (if often covertly pro-Allied in matters like internment) and turned down a 1949 offer to join {{NATO}}.

%% Please don't talk about Ireland or Irish people in real life here; it's off-topic and flamebait.

[[RealityIsUnrealistic Ironically]], Ireland is one of very few countries to become independent in the 20th century to have ''never'' been in a war. During WorldWarTwo it remained neutral because it couldn't sell the idea of England being worse than the Nazis to its populace (if often covertly pro-Allied in matters like internment) and turned down a 1949 offer to join {{NATO}}. On the other hand, when it was a part of the British Empire it provided a disproportionate number of the Army's cannon fodder.

Irish citizens are still allowed today to join the British Army. To show how abnormal this is, this is like Poland allowing its citizens to join the Russian Army.

Irish citizens are still allowed today to join the British Army.

[[RealityIsUnrealistic Ironically]], Ireland is one of very few countries to become independent in the 20th century to have ''never'' been in a war. During WorldWarTwo it remained neutral because it couldn't sell the idea of England being worse than the Nazis to its populace (if often covertly pro-Allied in matters like internment) and turned down a 1949 offer to join {{NATO}}.

* In {{Braveheart}}, Wallace's most eagerly violent soldier is an Irishman who joined the campaign not for the sake of freedom, but for the chance to kill Englishmen. He's also insane, or [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation deeply religious with a sick sense of humor.]]

[[RealityIsUnrealistic Ironically]], Ireland is one of very few countries to become independent in the 20th century to have ''never'' been in a war. During WorldWarTwo it remained neutral (if often covertly pro-Allied in matters like internment) and turned down a 1949 offer to join {{NATO}}.

[[RealityIsUnrealistic Ironically]], Ireland is one of very few countries to become independent in the 20th century to have ''never'' been in a war. It even stayed neutral in WW2 deciding that it couldn't sell ThoseWackyNazis as being worse than England.

[[RealityIsUnrealistic Ironically]], Ireland is one of very few countries to become independent in the 20th century to have ''never'' been in a war.

[[quoteright:150:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FightingIrish_3408.png]]

* In ''[[ThirtyRock 30 Rock]]'', Jack Donaghy ends up in a fist fight with members of his dysfunctional family in the appropriately titled episode "The Fighting Irish"

* In "30Rock", Jack Donaghy ends up in a fist fight with members of his dysfunctional family in the appropriately titled episode "The Fighting Irish"

* In 30Rock, Jack Donaghy ends up in a fist fight with members of his dysfunctional family in the appropriately titled episode "The Fighting Irish"

* Averted in ''BackToTheFuture Part III'': Seamus [=McFly=] keeps counseling Marty about staying ''out'' of fights and keeping his cool.

* Averted in ''BackToTheFuture Part III'': Seamus McFly keeps counseling Marty about staying ''out'' of fights and keeping his cool.

* Averted in ''BackToTheFuture'' 3: Sean McFly keeps counseling Marty about staying ''out'' of fights and keeping his cool.

The Irish, or at least [[{{Oireland}} Oirish]], counterpart to the ViolentGlaswegian. Characters who are Irish or are of Irish descent are often portrayed as being fond of physical confrontation; even in a work where violence is typical, Irish characters will be especially eager for it. Being intoxicated and/or [[BarBrawl in a bar]] will often accentuate these tendencies.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FightingIrish_3408.png