Saint Patrick’s Day has come and gone. Those that partied rewarded those that didn’t with tales of drunkenness and misadventures all over Facebook and Twitter.
I have always been curious to how Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Ireland as well as the lives of nerds, geeks and otakus that live there. I took the opportunity to interview some cosplayers living in Ireland about Saint Patrick’s Day, the differences in our culture and what is it like to be a cosplayer in Ireland. I interviewed members of CosplayNyan Productions, the man behind the website Irish Cosplay, and cosplayers Aislinn MacErlane, Sharon Nolan, and Liam Cronin. Thanks to Aislinn MacErlane for helping me with the title of this article.
The second from the left is Aislinn MacErlane
How did you get into cosplay?
Aislinn MacErlane: I got into anime around five years ago and once I discovered conventions in 2009, I looked into them online and found cosplay.
Liam Cronin: When I was going to my first anime convention, I thought it would be a nice thing to try out. At said con I met other cosplayers and decided to get more into cosplay.
Sharon Nolan: I’ve been cosplaying for about 2 years now, in a variety of different situations and as different characters. I believe I first heard heard the term being used online, when looking up more information on anime I had watched. I was curious as to what it was, so I researched further – and then found myself very interested!
Sharon Nolan as Tsubasa Hanekawa from Bakemonogatari
How would you describe the cosplay community in Ireland?
Aislinn MacErlane: Very friendly. Most of the people I know who cosplay are all up for free hugs, and spontaneous dancing, so a little bit bonkers too…
Liam Cronin: Very helpful and friendly. Certain members of the community organise great events (eg. Cosplay for Charity) and welcome all to attend/help out. I’ve only met the cosplayers of Ireland in the last year and a half and already I consider some my closest friends. I always enjoy time spent with fellow cosplayers.
Sharon Nolan: It’s a community that’s growing more and more with every convention that passes! The standard is also improving greatly, with people putting more and more work into the hobby, with the costumes and props growing more and more impressive. The variety is also growing – you no longer have two dozen Narutos running about the place!
HMAnimeLuver of CosplayNyanPro: The Irish anime community is the most accepting community ever, I believe. I’ve never felt so accepted by people before, and I can show my true colours to other anime-likers without being shunned by society.
Liam Cronin
Most of mainstream media in America tends to look at cosplayers as being immature, weird or they tend to sexualize cosplay. How does Ireland perceive cosplayers?
Sharon Nolan: There’s a few raised eyebrows and weird looks usually, as you’d expect when you’re going around in outlandish costume. I deal with it, I expect it so it’s water off a duck’s back. Sure, some people may consider it immature – but if I’m doing what I love and having fun I don’t care what they think! I’ve heard no whispers of people getting the impression that it’s a completely sexualized thing here, truth be told, but that’s just my personal impression.
Aislinn MacErlane: Well, I’ve been going to conventions for 3 years now, and I’ve never seen a ‘slutty’ or ‘sexy’ version of a cosplay. The Irish tend to keep to the original game or show.
Liam Cronin: Not too sure tbh. I don’t think a lot of mainstream Irish know about the existence of cosplay culture. I suppose they probably think cosplay is immature- cosplayers in public tend to get funny looks I’ve noticed. I don’t think there’s a tendency to “sexualize” cosplay in Ireland. People are probably just confused when they hear about or see cosplayers and just dismiss it as a phase people go through – not a subculture.
HMAnimeLuver of CosplayNyanPro: Ireland . . .Well, I suppose most “normal” people just see it as strange, really. They have a hard time getting their heads around it. There’s four types of people:
1. People who love anime.
2. People who are sort of into anime but not as into it as the first group of people.
3. The people who know about it and think it’s queer, shunning people who like it.
4. People who are completely oblivious to anime.
He is known as... Irish Cosplay!
Would you say then that the Irish are usually more conservative when it comes to fashion and cosplay?
Irish Cosplay: we are conservative when it comes to fashion and cosplay. We just like to make our on style to show there is more than one way of doing things.
Aislinn MacErlane: Yes, definitely. We’re such a small percentage of the population that most people would think us weird for cosplaying. Fashion-wise, maybe brighter clothes than others, but not always.
Liam Cronin: I have only cosplayed 2 anime characters as of now (Kisuke Urahara-Bleach and Ryo Bakura- Yugioh/Yugioh Abridged) In terms of being “conservative” with cosplay, I don’t think so. I think Irish cosplayers are really open to new things in terms of cosplay, fashion and even cosplay events.
HMAnimeLuver of CosplayNyanPro: I’d say it depends on the cosplayer. . . In Ireland, some cosplayers prefer the conservative cosplays, but then other people prefer more modern-day costumes. In my opinion, I prefer the modern-day cosplays, but I’d never skip a chance to do a more conservative cosplay!
AKA Irish Cosplay
Is there anything about American culture or American entertainment that puzzles you?
Irish Cosplay: No, they know how to have fun – but sometimes they go a little overboard in having fun.
Aislinn MacErlane: How they can spend up to and over $1000 for the big cons. I’d spend €100-250 tops at a con o.o’
St. Patrick’s Day in America tends to be viewed here as a day to party (with lots of drinking). Is it the same in Ireland?
Irish Cosplay: Yes, it is the same here with the partying and the drinking but there some who are just happy to get the day off.
Aislinn MacErlane: There would be a good bit of drinking, but not as much as America tends to think we do ^-^
Liam Cronin: Oh most definitely. I don’t drink myself but most people would see “Paddy’s Day” as: watch the parade, drink, head out to party, drink some more, recover from massive hangover. Bit of a stereotype but a true one by my reckoning.
Any final comment you would like to add about being a cosplayer in Ireland?
Irish Cosplay: It’s good fun being a cosplayer in Ireland. you can go to town with your cosplay costume on and no one will say a bad thing about it.
Aislinn MacErlane: The cosplay community in Ireland are amazing, and the cons are great craic :L
Liam Cronin: Well, joining the cosplay community in Ireland has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have met so many awesome new people with the same interests as me. I highly recommend anyone in Ireland with any interest in anime to try cosplay as it’s a great way to make new friends.
HMAnimeLuver of CosplayNyanPro: Comments about cosplaying in Ireland? IT’S AMAZING! I strongly encourage more people to cosplay, or to even find out about the anime community! I live in a county where I don’t know any other cosplayers or people who like anime, but there’s plenty of other people out there who like it, I’m sure, so don’t be afraid to give it a try! It’s an amazing experience, and it’ll stay with you for the rest of your life! You’ll make so many new friends, and have a lot more memories!
