The look of the Irish: a ‘green wave’ takes over pop culture and fashion

From the buzz around the ‘Craic Pack’ to Irish style influence, interest in the country’s culture is busting cliches

After decades of paddywhackery, Ireland has finally broken free from the cliches imposed upon it. From Paul Mescal, Cillian Murphy and Saoirse Ronan charming Hollywood to fashion falling for designers including Simone Rocha; from authors such as Sally Rooney and Paul Lynch scooping up literary prizes to the “Guinnaissance”, a new green wave is ruling pop culture.

“There’s a real [gravitation] towards the Irish and Irish culture right now,” says Samantha Barry, the editor-in-chief of Glamour. Barry, who grew up in County Cork and has lived in New York for more than 10 years, describes it as “counter-programming” to outsiders’ previous depiction of Irishness geared around leprechauns and wearing green.

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