Busting Irish Myths: Number 3: Religious Affiliation

I'm continuing the series on Irish myths, based on the interesting misconceptions I've discovered about Ireland and her people.

Myth # 3 : All Irish are Catholic

The latest census I've found is from 2011, which breaks down religion as:

84% - Roman Catholic

6% - No Religion

3% - Church of Ireland

2% - Other

2% - Not Stated

1% - Muslim

1% - Orthodox

1% - Presbyterian

1% - Other Christian

Less than 1% - Apostolic or Pentecostal

In a survey of Irish students, these statistics flew out the window. Of those surveyed:

37% - Catholic

20% - atheist

Two of my series, Black Swamp Mysteries and Ryan O'Clery Mysteries, have Irish men as main characters - Dylan Maguire and Ryan O'Clery. In The Tempest Murders, Ryan O'Clery has questions about his Catholic faith as he is plagued by nightmares that turn out to be the memories of a distant uncle. He is also divorced after having found his wife in bed with another man.

It has been almost 20 years since the Irish voters voted to allow divorce in Ireland, though it was a narrow vote - 51% to 49%. Although 1 in 10 marriages now ends in divorce, Ireland has the lowest divorce rate in Europe and the third lowest in the world (after Mexico and Chile).

In the Black Swamp Mysteries series, we meet Dylan's childhood friend, Thomas, when he journeys to Ireland (in Dylan's Song) and we discover that Thomas is now the Catholic priest in the village where they grew up together. In the next book in the series, Vicki and Dylan travel to Ireland to be married by Father Thomas in a traditional Irish Catholic wedding.

To purchase any of my books, visit www.pmterrell.com and click on "Order" to order direct from the website or find links to amazon. All my books are also available as eBooks worldwide or in paperback at all fine book stores. If you don't see them on the shelves, please ask for them!

Recap of Summer Book Tour

I've finished my summer book tour, and I'm happy to announce that Jeanne R. of New Hampshire won the beautiful Celtic butterfly suncatcher. The suncatcher is almost identical to the one mentioned in the book in a pivotal scene between Charleigh and Sean.

If you missed any of my online appearances, here's a recap:

July 6: Yeah Books! Interview http://www.yeahbooksblog.com/2015/07/author-interview-thin-slice-of-heaven.html

 
July 7: It's Raining Books An interview with p.m.terrell: http://its-raining-books.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pm-terrell-q.html

 
July 8: Romance Novel Giveaways Find out some of the inside true stories behind the writing of p.m.terrell’s latest book: http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pmterrell-fun.html

 
July 9: The Avid Reader Which period in history p.m.terrell would most like to live in: http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/2015/07/09-virtual-tour-a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pm-terrell-GF.html

 
July 10: Room With Books – Writing about the paranormal – psychic spies and haunted houses: http://roomwithbooks.com/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-book-tour/

 
July 13: Read a special interview with p.m.terrell at Two Ends of the Pen: http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/2015/07/interview-with-pm-terrell-thin-slice-of.html

 
July 14: Visit Musings and Ramblings for a guest post by p.m.terrell on Writing About the Paranormal: http://www.musingsandramblings.net/2015/07/guest-post-thin-slice-of-heaven-pm.html

 
July 14: Visit Christine Young for an exclusive interview with p.m.terrell: http://christineyoungauthor.com/2015/07/14/christine-presents-a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-p-m-terrell/comment-page-1/

 
July 15: Long and Short Reviews says, “Technically perfect, quite enjoyable and delightfully different, A Thin Slice of Heaven cemented my admiration for the author and ensures I’ll be picking up future releases.” Read the entire review here: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/book-reviews/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pm-terrell/

 
July 16: Why Ireland inspires so many of p.m.terrell’s books: Book 'Em North Carolina

July 16: Visit BooksChatter for an exclusive interview with p.m.terrell: http://bookschatter.blogspot.com/2015/07/Q-A-thin-slice-of-heaven.html

 

July 17: Visit with p.m.terrell at Queen of All She Reads for information on her travels to Ireland and Scotland: http://queenofallshereads.blogspot.com/2015/07/virtual-tour-giveaway-for-thin-slice-of.html

 
July 20: Find out about the 10 People p.m.terrell Wishes She’d Known at Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews : http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pm-terrell.html

 

July 21: Visit with the Blog of author Jacey Holbrand to find out what p.m.terrell enjoys the most about writing: https://jaceyholbrand.wordpress.com/2015/07/21/alive-with-secrets-from-centuries-past-ghosts-magic-pmterrell-goddessfish/

 
July 21: Find out how p.m.terrell became traditionally published at SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog : http://solafidepublishing.net/index.php/2015/07/21/getting-traditionally-published-by-p-m-terrell-author-of-a-thin-slice-of-heaven/

 
July 22: Visit Booklover Sue for an exclusive interview with p.m.terrell: http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/2015/07/excerpt-author-interview-giveaway-thin.html

 
July 23: Visit Author B. L. Blair's Blog for a profile of p.m.terrell and A Thin Slice of Heaven: http://blblair100.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pm-terrell.html

 
July 24: read p.m.terrell’s advise to new authors at Author Nancy Adams : http://fancynancyadams.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-thin-slice-of-heaven-by-pmterrell.html

 
July 27: p.m.terrell’s favorite book covers at fundinmental Which one is your favorite?

July 28: Straight from the Library rates the book four stars and says, “This book is very much a page-turner… It had everything I could ask for in a ghostly romance!” http://straightfromlibrary.blogspot.com/2015/07/straight-reading-from-library-thin.html

 

July 29: Read an exclusive interview with p.m.terrell at Welcome to My World of Dreams  : http://jhthomas.blogspot.com/2015/07/q-with-pm-terrell-author-of-thin-slice.html

July 31: Are all writers depressed? Find out what p.m.terrell has to say about this in an exclusive guest post: http://writerwonderland.weebly.com/goddess-fish-tour/thin-slice-of-heaven-stop-giveaway

Busting #Irish #Myths: Numbers 1 and 2

I recently returned from another trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. In speaking with fellow Americans, I've been surprised to learn how others envision Ireland, particularly if they have never traveled to Europe - or even outside the United States. So I am beginning this series to dispel a few myths.

Myth # 1 : All Irish Live in Little White Cottages

Followed quickly by:

Myth #2 : All Irish Live in Centuries-Old Stone Castles

It is true that little white cottages dot the Irish countryside, which is part of its age-old charm. And it is also true that hundreds of castles or castle ruins can be found all over the Emerald Isle. But the typical Irish resident doesn't live in a cottage or castle with no running water, no electricity and no access to the outside world any more than the typical American doesn't live in a log cabin without modern conveniences.

Irish homes can have beautifully modern kitchens with all the latest, modern appliances. Even older homes frequently have remodeled kitchens with islands and an open floor plan. Bathrooms can actually be more modernized than the typical American home, with water-saving devices that still pamper - like separate showers and jet tubs. Irish rooms are also becoming larger again; at one time rooms were very large and then as more rooms became the norm (such as a receiving room, or formal living room as well as a den or family room) rooms tended to get smaller. In the past two decades, they've become larger again while not sacrificing the number of rooms. It isn't uncommon to find homes upwards of 2,500 square feet or even double that.

WiFi is common all over the island, and it's more of an anomaly finding someone without WiFi than someone with it. They have satellite television series as well as cable. Cell phones are common. And they have more wind energy and solar panels than anywhere I have traveled in the USA. 

The cost of housing is low compared to the United States unless you are living in one of the major cities such as Dublin or Galway, or you are conveniently located near mass transit, which is commonly used today by commuters.

To see the homes that Ireland has to offer, visit: www.property.ie. You'll find homes to rent or for sale there.

p.m.terrell has written more than seven suspense novels that take place in Ireland. Visit www.pmterrell.com to see a complete list!