No.  You cannot generalise from soc.culture.irish to "real"
	Irish people (whatever that means to you).  You can't do it
	for any of the other soc.culture groups either.  People often
	do not behave on newsgroups like they would in real life.
	A newsgroup is a great place to get on your hobby horse, make
	a lot of noise and get yourself some attention without paying
	the consequences you would if you did it in a pub.  Again,
	it pays to look beyond whatever rudeness offends you for
	quieter discussions that may be taking place in the next booth.

	(See also the question about trolls.)