Irish Catholics
Caitlicigh na hÉireann | |
|---|---|
Celtic cross, a symbol associated with Irish Catholicism | |
| Total population | |
| ~4.6 million (Ireland) ~55–60 million worldwide (notably in United States, Canada, Australia) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Republic of Ireland | 3,900,000 |
| Northern Ireland | 820,000 |
| United States | ~20,000,000 |
| Canada | 4,800,000 |
| United Kingdom (excl. Northern Ireland) | 400,000 |
| Australia | 7,200,000 |
| Argentina | ~500,000 |
| New Zealand | 600,000 |
| France | 15,000 |
| Languages | |
| English (Irish, American, Canadian, British, Australian, New Zealander), Irish, Spanish (Argentine), French (Canadian French) | |
| Religion | |
| Catholic Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Irish people, Irish diaspora, Irish Travellers, Irish Americans, Irish Canadians, Irish Australians, Irish New Zealanders, Irish Britons, Irish Argentines, Irish French | |
Irish Catholics (Irish: Caitlicigh na hÉireann) are an ethnoreligious group native to Ireland, defined by their adherence to Catholic Christianity and their shared Irish ethnic, linguistic, and cultural heritage.The term distinguishes Catholics of Irish descent, particularly in contexts of national identity, political history, and diaspora, from other Catholic populations globally.
They constitute the majority population in the Republic of Ireland, where approximately 3.9 million people identified as Catholic in the 2022 census, and a significant minority in Northern Ireland, with around 820,000 adherents. The Irish diaspora has established Irish Catholic communities worldwide, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, where they have played a major role in shaping cultural, religious, and political landscapes.
Historically, Irish Catholics experienced systemic discrimination, especially under British rule, through the imposition of Penal Laws in the 17th and 18th centuries that restricted their political, social, and economic rights. The Great Famine (1845–1852) accelerated mass emigration, leading to the growth of Irish Catholic communities abroad. In countries such as the United States and Australia, Irish Catholics often faced anti-Catholic prejudice but gradually gained political influence, producing prominent leaders such as U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden. Irish Catholicism has also contributed to global Catholic culture, notably through traditions like Saint Patrick's Day.