The Red Hair of the Race

Excerpt from my new book, "Color Me Green: Ways the Irish Influenced America."

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“If you are Irish, where is your red hair?”

That was the first question I asked Monica Perkins when, at age 16, I met our new neighbor.

Monica Perkins was a slim little thing, an Irish war bride from the time when Northern Ireland had opened its doors to 300,000 American military personnel during World War II. She had sparkling brown eyes, not green or blue. Her lovely wide smile glowed in the smooth tan face, no freckles. Her hair was dark brown.

Monica laughed at my misinformed question. Then she explained to me that her heritage was from the Spanish who tumbled off the shipwrecked Armada in 1588 onto the western coast of Ireland and stayed there. Today, the Spanish Gate stands by the Atlantic Ocean in the coastal city of Galway in memory of the occasion.

With good humored patience, Monica told me that the true Celtic Irish coloring was rich black hair and very blue eyes.

Of course! My pretty Irish Great-Grandmother Walsh from County Sligo had smooth white skin with a soft pink glow on her cheeks and bright blue eyes. Her black hair was thick with curls.

Beautiful Maureen O’Hara with her lush mane of fiery red hair was considered typical of the stereotyped movie Irish. However, it is generally known that the red and sand-colored hair was a result of the Viking raids of Ireland and Scotland around 1000 A.D.

Wave after wave of settlers entered Ireland throughout the ancient ages. Consider actor Barry Fitzgerald. This fine gentleman, excellent in his craft, appears to be a throw-back to the Fir Bolgs, the first recorded tribe in Ireland. They were short of stature, dark hair and eyes, pugnacious features and quick in wit or for a donnybrook.

After the Fir Bolgs, the lovely green island was invaded by the De Danaans who had silken blonde hair and amazing skills in crafting gold. Later the Milesians came floating in from Spain and then the Celts spilled across what is now the English Channel and established a culture based on provinces and kings.

Using more legendary movie actors as examples, let us not forget the feisty little red-haired mug, James Cagney. A good model of the quick-tempered fighting Irish. Then next is Tyrone Power, handsome, romantic, and often portraying swashbuckler roles, with a little mischievous humor toward his leading lady. Then in walks a tall, black-haired, blue eyed, slow-speaking hero of an Irishman, Marion Mitchell Morrison, otherwise known as The Duke, John Wayne.

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To read more stories like this one about the Irish influence to America, order my new book, "Color Me Green: Ways the Irish Influenced America" by Helen Walsh Folsom.

Over the next several weeks, I will be publishing, with the aid of my daughter, Bettse Folsom, a series of answer & questions & snippets about Ireland that many people have asked me during events where I have attended. If you have a question, please contact me by email and I will be happy to address it.

Thank you for reading my blog!