Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, had some intriguing observations about the Irish, albeit they were somewhat limited in scope. Freud suggested that the Irish were particularly resistant to psychoanalysis due to their deep-seated cultural and religious beliefs. He noted that the Irish placed a strong emphasis on community and family ties, which could conflict with the individual focus that psychoanalysis often requires.
In Freud’s view, the Irish connection to their cultural identity and the influence of Catholicism instilled a sense of guilt and repression. This, he argued, made it difficult for the Irish to engage with psychoanalysis fully. They might be more inclined to uphold traditional values than to delve into the complexities of their own psyches. Freud’s remarks on the Irish serve as a reminder of how cultural context can significantly affect psychological practices and the reception of psychoanalytic therapy.