I was last in Ireland in 2000 and when I went they told us not to wear orange because people will get mad at you. My husband has a nice rust orange colored rain coat that I'm wondering if it will be a good thing to wear. We plan to be there for a few weeks at the end of summer and we're planning on going up to Northern Ireland for part of that. Has anyone worn orange and gotten away with it or has anyone heard the don't wear orange caution before? Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback! Thank you!
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7158 posts
I don't think a rust colored rain jacket is going to set off any alarms. In fact any piece of orange clothing if it works fashionably with your other clothes is not a problem. Don't worry about it. Now if you go around a catholic neighborhood in Northern Ireland waving a bright orange flag, you might get some unwelcome looks, but it's not much of an issue any longer like it once was. I'm not a particular fan of orange myself so never wear it, but if I had something I would certainly wear it.
Posted by
317 posts
Hello Sarah. Greetings from Ireland
Whoever 'they' were who told you that, I really think they were pulling your leg. Or else just daft.
There isn't a single person in Ireland, apart from the mentally unstable, who care if you wear orange or green or any other colour.
I do commend you for being aware and sensitive of the very real divisions in 'Northern Ireland', but this is not one of them.
I spent most of my adult life in one of the toughest Catholic/nationalist areas in the North and not one person would notice, or care if you wear orange.
We heard at school that historically some kids in America got pinched for wearing orange on St. Patrick's day and we would giggle at how silly that sounded.
So have no fear, tell your husband to wear that orange raincoat and say it loud - "I'm wearing orange and proud".
No will even notice. Maybe the fashion police :)
Enjoy your holiday.
Le meas/with respect
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Derry & Dingle
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Your husband's orange jacket may be well received in parts of Northern Ireland:
http://thefederalist.com/2016/03/17/why-you-should-wear-orange-this-saint-patricks-day/
Why You Should Wear Orange This Saint Patrick’s Day
...a growing number of people, taking part in the holiday means
wearing orange. According to this increasingly popular tradition,
Protestants wear orange and leave green attire to Catholics. Thus, the
color you wear actually depends on your religious affiliation. While
this color tradition is not well known, it has deep roots in Irish
history.