Irish

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

About the People

The native Irish people are a mixture of several ethnic backgrounds. From north of the Alps, the Celts invaded early on, only to be dominated by the Vikings from Scandinavia, then the Normans from what is now France and, finally, the Anglo Saxons from what is now Great Britain. Even a Spanish line runs through the Irish from the Sailors of the Spanish Armada that came to ruin off the Irish coast. Each of these invading waves brought its own cultural and genetic characteristics, and in turn, each became Irish as the years went by.

The Irish have always been a passionate people who pride themselves in their history of local wars. The early religious practices came from the spiritualistic Druid religion, and the Irish ballads still reflect their lusty outlook on life. In the 5th and 6th centuries, Christianity spread widely through Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic Christians were Sabbath-keepers deriving their doctrine from the Bible. The famous Patrick and Columba were Sabbath-keepers. By the 7th century, the Roman church had almost completely taken over the Celtic centers of learning and a long night of darkness descended on the Irish people.

Enduring spiritual domination of the Roman church and centuries of economic and political turmoil, the Irish have suffered deeply for centuries. While outgoing and friendly, the Irish express a deep spiritual pain that keeps the pubs much fuller than the churches.

People-Group Stats

  • Population: 5.4 million
  • Language: English
  • Religion: 95% Roman Catholic

Frontier Stories

A New Chapter in Ireland

The time has come to fully transition the project to the Irish Mission under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Lorance Johnson.

By: Graham & Pauline Allcock
December 01 2019, 8:50 am | Comments 0

A Farewell to the O’Brians

Is God calling you to be part of the Irish team?

By: Pauline Allcock
May 01 2016, 7:20 am | Comments 0

Punctuality

Being “on time” became less important than “quality time.”

By: Sean Mays
November 01 2014, 3:04 pm | Comments 0

Is This the Place?

“Would you like to take a look at the building we have identified as a potential Center of Influence?”

By: Graham Allcock
June 01 2014, 5:38 pm | Comments 0

Making Irish Friends for Christ

I had never really considered it to be a mission field. I suppose I expected something more tropical and exotic. But I am glad God works outside our expectations!

By: Chet Stickle
April 01 2012, 6:47 am | Comments 0

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