Commenting on MAGGRACE's question: Smaller-statured Irish who have dark coloring, especially hair, are sometimes called Black Irish to differentiate them from the Irish with red or blonde hair and rangier limbs. I have heard people say that the darker look harks back to the people who populated Ireland before the Celtic tribes arrived beginning around 400 B.C. Others have said that the darker look is reminiscent of the Celts themselves, with the fairer sort stemming from the Viking settlers and invaders who came in waves starting around 795 A.D. But there is more to it than this - I recall a discussion of this subject on the CARIBBEAN list some time ago, but I was focusing on another thread. You may be able to access those messages via Rootsweb. Another thought is to search the NEWSGROUP archive for the term. I have had good results doing that. A very interesting question! Good luck to you. Ginny Crawford VCrawf@aol.com Carmel Valley CA