West Brit facts for kids
The term West Brit is a short way of saying "West Briton." It's a negative word used to describe an Irish person who seems to like British culture or politics a lot. It suggests they act more British than Irish.
West Britain is a way to describe Ireland. It means Ireland is seen as being heavily influenced by Britain.
How the Term "West Brit" Started
The idea of "West Britain" came about after the Acts of Union 1800. These laws joined the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland. They formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. People also used "North Britain" for Scotland after it joined with England.
In 1834, an Irish politician named Thomas Spring Rice said he preferred the name "West Britain" for Ireland. He was against Daniel O'Connell's idea to end the Union. O'Connell himself later used the phrase in 1836. He said Irish people would be "West Britons" if they got fair treatment and benefits from the Union. But if not, they would remain "Irishmen." O'Connell hoped Ireland would become as successful as Scotland had after its union with England.
Later, around the 1880s, "West Briton" became a negative term. People like D. P. Moran, who started a newspaper called The Leader in 1900, used it often. He used it for anyone he felt was not truly Irish. This included many Church of Ireland Protestants and even some Catholics. These were people who didn't fit his idea of "Irish Irelanders."
In 1907, a writer using the name "A County of Clare West Briton" explained the term. He said someone could love Ireland and its language. But if they didn't hate England and still supported the British Empire, they were called a "West Briton." This showed that the term was used to criticize Irish people who were loyal to Britain.
After Ireland became independent in 1922, the term "West British" was mostly used for Roman Catholics who admired British culture. This was because Protestants were generally expected to support the Union. However, some Protestants also supported Irish independence.
"West Brit" Today
Today, "West Brit" is still used by some Irish people, mainly in Ireland. It's used to criticize other Irish people for various reasons. The word "Brit" itself can be negative in Ireland when talking about British people.
Here are some common reasons why someone might be called a "West Brit":
- Questioning Irish History: This includes criticizing past Irish uprisings or focusing on the good things about British rule in Ireland. It can also mean downplaying British actions during events like the Great Famine.
- Liking British Culture: This means following British pop culture or admiring the British royal family. It can also mean wanting Ireland to rejoin the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Being Ashamed of Irish Culture: This means seeming embarrassed by or looking down on parts of Irish culture. Examples include the Irish language, Irish accents, Gaelic games, or Irish traditional music.
- Supporting Partition: This means being against a United Ireland (where Northern Ireland joins the Republic of Ireland). It can also mean supporting political ideas that keep Ireland divided.
It's important to remember that not everyone called a "West Brit" actually holds these views.
For example, in 2011, politician Martin McGuinness criticized what he called "West Brit elements" in the media. He said they were trying to stop him from winning an election. He later called it an "off-the-cuff remark."
The Irish entertainer Terry Wogan, who worked mostly for the BBC in Britain, described himself as a "West Brit." He said he was an "effete, urban Irishman" who listened to the BBC as a boy. He felt he had more freedom in the UK than in Ireland. He became a citizen of both Ireland and the UK.
A writer for Irish Times, Donald Clarke, noted things that might lead to someone being called a "West Brit." These include being from Dublin, supporting UK football teams, or voting for the Fine Gael political party.
Similar Terms
Other terms have been used to describe Irish people seen as too British:
- Castle Catholic: This term was used more specifically for middle-class Catholics. They were seen as fitting into the pro-British system. This name came from Dublin Castle, which was the main office for the British government in Ireland.
- Shoneen: This is an old-fashioned word from the Irish language. It means someone who tries to copy the homes, habits, and lifestyle of the rich Protestant families who supported British rule. It describes someone who acts like a "would-be gentleman" and puts on fancy airs.
- Jackeen: This term started around 1840. It was used by people in the countryside to describe Dubliners who seemed to have British sympathies. It's a play on words, linking the name "Jack" to the Union Jack, the British flag. Over time, "jackeen" also came to mean a rude or worthless person.
Opposite Terms
The term "West Brit" is sometimes compared to other terms:
- Little Irelander: This is a negative term for an Irish person who is seen as an extreme nationalist. They might be against anything British and dislike foreigners. This term became popular through writer Seán Ó Faoláin.
- Culchie: This term is the opposite of "jackeen" (when "jackeen" means a city person from Dublin). A "culchie" refers to an unsophisticated Irish person who lives in the countryside.
