djwebb2021 wrote:
Thank you. I didn't know the origin. I suspect it was used all over Ireland. Dónall Bán Ó Céileachair has "fear dubh" in Aodh de Róíste, and I've been told "na daoine dúbha" is what they say in Corca Dhuíbhne. Cnósach Focal ó Bhaile Bhúirne has "ráigiúnach", but doesn't say whether it was pejorative or not. I suspect, there being few black people in Ireland before a certain date, that it was not pejorative.
Almost certainly not pejorative I'd say since it basically translates to "Region-er" or something similar, i.e. one from the far regions. It'd be used for anybody not Western European I think, though not a common word now.
Some people in Kerry today say "Duine Gorm" but it's hard to know if that's under influence from elsewhere. I'd say it went from "Gorm" to "Dubh" in Munster and is now going back.
_________________
The dialect I use is Munster Irish, particularly Cork Irish, so words or phrases I use might not be correct for other areas.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal