Black people in Ireland

Since the mid-18th century there were small numbers of black people resident in Ireland, mainly concentrated in the major towns, especially Dublin. Many of those in the 18th century were servants of wealthy families. Slavery did not exist in Ireland at this date, although the legal position remained unclear until a judgement in England in 1772, the Somersett's Case. Other people of colour were tradesmen, soldiers, traveling artists or musicians. Never very numerous, most of them were assimilated into the larger population by the second third of the 19th century.

Recent immigration

The present black Irish population is predominantly of recent immigrant origin, arriving from the mid-1990s onwards from West African countries such as Nigeria, Niger and Chad.Fact|date=July 2007

The increase of Ireland's non-white population is due in part to the laws which had governed Irish citizenship since the creation of the Republic of Ireland in 1922. These laws, which granted citizenship "jus soli," allowed a great number of people (especially black Africans, Southeast Asians and white Eastern Europeans) to remain in the state based on their Irish-born citizen children.

As the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland changed the qualifications for Irish citizenship in 2004, it is possible that Ireland will not see a similar major influx of black people in the near future. However, as citizens of any European Union country are able to settle in Ireland without restriction, numbers may increase.

Notable examples

The following list includes people who are black or multiracial. Some are Irish by birth, others by descent or naturalization. The list also includes groups with some members who fit this description.

Musicians

*Samantha Mumba (singer/actress)
*Laura Izibor (singer)
*Lucia Evans (singer)
*Sumu (band)
*The Elements (rap group)
*Phil Lynott (singer/bassist)
*SKD (Rapper)
*The Melody Makers (Choir Group)
*Birdman (Basketball player)
*Proud (Rapper)

Actors and actresses

*Samantha Mumba (singer/actress)
*Ruth Negga

Artists

*Kevin Sharkey (painter)

Athletes

*Paul McGrath (Association footballer)
*Phil Babb (Association footballer)
*Terry Phelan (Association footballer)
*Chris Hughton (Association footballer)
*Curtis Fleming (Association footballer)
*Clinton Morrison (Association footballer)
*Steven Reid (Association footballer)
*Paul Osam (Association footballer)
*Darren Randolph (Association footballer)
*Lennie McMillian (basketball)
*Marc Mukendi (Association footballer)
*Stephen Kelly (Association footballer)
*Mike Mitchell (basketball)
*Darren Sutherland (boxing) (Won a Bronze medal for Ireland the in 2008 Summer Olympics)*

Politics

*Máire Mhac an tSaoi and Conor Cruise O'Brien adopted Black children
*Rotimi Adebari, a Nigerian, was elected mayor Portlaoise

ee also

*Black Irish