Why do "Black Irish" grey prematurely?

[Anglojew]

I don't think it is an Irish thing as most of these people have more than one ancestry and it seems to be more common in people with very dark hair of any ethnicity.

Its a Paleo-Med British thing but most common in Irish people.

[Grace O'Malley]

Its a Paleo-Med British thing but most common in Irish people.

That's a bit stereotypical. I doubt it's most common in Irish people. They would have to have a "unique" gene. I know loads of Irish people (naturally some people go grey prematurely and some retain their natural hair colour into their late 50s early 60s. I'd expect their would be a study on this if it had any basis in fact. Personally I've never noticed it to be more common in Irish people. I know a Jewish girl that went grey in her late teens though but I don't think this applies to all Jewish people.

[Smaug]

My father is Black Irish then. No, he is Italian.

[Anglojew]

That's a bit stereotypical. I doubt it's most common in Irish people. They would have to have a "unique" gene. I know loads of Irish people (naturally some people go grey prematurely and some retain their natural hair colour into their late 50s early 60s. I'd expect their would be a study on this if it had any basis in fact. Personally I've never noticed it to be more common in Irish people. I know a Jewish girl that went grey in her late teens though but I don't think this applies to all Jewish people.

As mentioned this trait is also found in other parts of the British Isles. There is no doubt some people with this phenotype grey early. The question is why?

It's only a small percentage of Irish or British people that fit the "black Irish" mould.

Don't forget many with this trait, eg John Cusack, obviously dye their hair.

[Caismeachd]

My dad went grey in his 30's and he had dark hair as well. I see a lot of people like that around here. I've known non British guys with dark hair who have gone totally grey in their early 30's though.

[Grace O'Malley]

As mentioned this trait is also found in other parts of the British Isles. There is no doubt some people with this phenotype grey early. The question is why?

It's only a small percentage of Irish or British people that fit the "black Irish" mould.

Don't forget many with this trait, eg John Cusack, obviously dye their hair.

I know I'm becoming a bit repetitious on this Black Irish stuff but the Irish with dark hair have the same genetics as any other Irish person. There is no isolated population in Ireland that have a dark phenotype. The only population in Ireland that are a bit separate are the Irish Travellers. A lot of the stuff people sprout on these forums has no basis in fact.

[Anglojew]

I know I'm becoming a bit repetitious on this Black Irish stuff but the Irish with dark hair have the same genetics as any other Irish person. There is no isolated population in Ireland that have a dark phenotype. The only population in Ireland that are a bit separate are the Irish Travellers. A lot of the stuff people sprout on these forums has no basis in fact.

I'd like to see the evidence. I suspect they're "pre-Celtic" Neolithic survivors. I wonder if Sardinians show this trait?

[Prisoner Of Ice]

I know I'm becoming a bit repetitious on this Black Irish stuff but the Irish with dark hair have the same genetics as any other Irish person. There is no isolated population in Ireland that have a dark phenotype. The only population in Ireland that are a bit separate are the Irish Travellers. A lot of the stuff people sprout on these forums has no basis in fact.

Of course people with black hair, have different genetics at least for their hair.

I doubt there'd be a study on something like this, no way. As to whether there is any truth to it I reserve judgement.

[Grace O'Malley]

Of course people with black hair, have different genetics at least for their hair.

I doubt there'd be a study on something like this, no way. As to whether there is any truth to it I reserve judgement.

You're been a bit picky there Melonhead. One of my paternal Aunts had dark hair and brown eyes and she had 3 children who had red hair and green eyes. My maternal grandmother was dark haired and hazel eyes and she had 7 children a couple were blonds and 5 had reddish brown hair and they had every colour of eyes ranging from hazel, green and blue. All Irish families have a variety of colouring. It is very noticeable in bigger families for obvious reasons.

They didn't have black hair but dark brown hair.

[Anglojew]

You're been a bit picky there Melonhead. One of my paternal Aunts had dark hair and brown eyes and she had 3 children who had red hair and green eyes. My maternal grandmother was dark haired and hazel eyes and she had 7 children a couple were blonds and 5 had reddish brown hair and they had every colour of eyes ranging from hazel, green and blue. All Irish families have a variety of colouring. It is very noticeable in bigger families for obvious reasons.

They didn't have black hair but dark brown hair.

Were they from Western counties?