Do you agree that the Irish people have "to all intents and purposes, become pagan”?

I don't think that Irish people ever fully stopped being pagan, but rather the majority went through the motions of being Catholic due to forced converstions (do it or die - because that's what God wants, right? - for people to follow him only because they were told they would be executed if they didn't.)

It was just a few years ago that my uncle that was born, raised, and still lives in Ireland told me Samhain was still celebrated in Ireland and that folks made special meals for Samhain, but not for St. Patrick's Day. Hmmm...so the pagan holiday of Samhain is still held in higher regard than the holiday honoring St. Patrick who supposedly rid Ireland of all the pagans?

Sorry St. Patrick, but I don't think you rid Ireland of pagans but rather the pagans just shut up and kept their personal beliefs and practices to themselves, passing them down within their own families in private, while keeping up appearances of Catholicism for others in public.

Kumquat May, I agree in that I doubt many Irish people are starting to follow neo-pagan religions like Wicca. But I suspect those that embrace paganism are looking more at their own Irish roots, the beliefs and practices of their own pagan ancestors.

ETA: Also, what does Stonehenge (pictured with this article) have to do with Irish Catholics or Irish pagans?

The Celtic Church thrived in eire in the previous the Latin-Roman Church took over and, in many techniques, 'destroyed' the unique Christian faith that became the Celtic church. Having visited eire presently, i might say that what you have is a robust people custom nestled alongside a Catholic concept equipment. the two are no longer together unique in any way and that's a lot extra known interior the nation-state than the cities. To the Irish Celts, their faith and their total way of existence/lifestyle is so intertwined which you relatively will no longer be able to have one without the different.

The Celtic Church thrived in Ireland before the Latin-Roman Church took over and, in many ways, 'destroyed' the unique Christian religion that was the Celtic church. Having visited Ireland recently, I would say that what you have is a strong folk tradition nestled alongside a Catholic belief system. The two are not mutually exclusive in any way and it is much more prevalent in the countryside than the cities. To the Irish Celts, their religion and their whole way of life/culture is so intertwined that you really can't have one without the other.

No, it's still a pretty catholic country. But like most western countries, religion is becoming less important particularly in young people lives. And all the pedophilia scandals have hurt them. But the majority are becoming a-religious or atheist. The assertion that any more than a tiny minority are embracing "pagan" beliefs like wicca is ridiculous

I read this in the Irish Independent today - Irish Catholicism was always just a few steps away from its 'Pagan' roots...

The Catholic Church has been the ruin of this country, in a way, more insidious than the Brit occupation

No, not at all. Considering a recent article from BBC News that self proclaimed "Jedi Knights" out number both Pagans and Atheists combined in all of Britain.

Not exactly. The Irish, as I undertand it...have, for centuries...been strongly Roman Catholic..with a rich undercurrent of paganism..which is kind've neat.

Says the Catholics. Ask the rest of the Christians what they think of Catholics.

I guess they are moving towards the 21st century