Perhaps it's part of the shift in the Irish self-image. Back in the 70's, they seem to have thought of themselves as irreverent, a bit fey, artistic, generous, innocent, perhaps even secretly enjoying the repression of the local breed of religion- they were (perhaps still are) the biggest per-capita givers to charity in Europe. Since the EU economic boom another side perhaps is taking over- epitomised by Ryanair, and certain Irish football figures in Britain. We're successful, feck you, too many immigrants, look at the price of my house. None of which are the sole property of the Irish, but none of the previous list were either.

The man's clearly an ignorant turd.