Irishwomen are a unique breed, as we all know.

Here are some of the things that make them very special.

Maureen O’Hara:

The feisty redhead gets that fiery Irish woman thing very well.

Teapots:


Irish women are never far from the teapot for a cuppa it seems.

Potatoes:

Alas the stereotype is true: french fries, mashed, boiled, with jackets or without.

Bold:

As in not backward about coming forward. Irish women are no shrinking violets.

Great with the words, especially Mammies:

“Where do you think you are going dressed like that?”...Sort of stuff.

Superstitions:

Guilty secret, but they will look for the second magpie furiously, remembering the old “One for sorrow, two for joy” refrain. Also don’t ask them to walk under a ladder.

Tearful tissues:

Sentimentals at heart they will weep at “Bridges of Madison County” and “Love Story.”

Mother Courage:

Don’t dare say something bad about their kids. A lioness with cubs has nothing on them.

Warm words, soft heart:


Very welcoming, especially to strangers, and they mostly love Yanks.

Gossip:

Have to admit it, wonderful pastime. “Will Ya Go Away? Seriously? Who woulda thought?” Type of stuff.

Source: Mostly from Tara Flynn’s “You're Grand” (www.hachette.ie).