According to reports, the term black Irish originated from the u.s. during significant periods of immigration in order to differentiate ethnic groupings. The majority of irish men and women have light brown hair and blue eyes, the term refers to those with dark hair and or eyes. They are said to be descendants of sailors in the spanish armada, a spanish fleet appointed by Philip II of Spain that sailed from Lisbon in 1588. The objective was to overthrow Elizabeth I, reinstate catholicism in England and end support for the dutch republic. The fleet were opposed in Plymouth and chased to Calais where it had to scatter. It returned home via Ireland and Scotland.
According to a report, Romanians make up 16% of Ireland’s population. Many since the fall of communism and the execution of Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife Elena in 1989.