Potatoes originate in North America, they were not grown as a crop in Europe until they were brought back by English and Spanish sailors in the late 16th Century.
Gaeilge (language) Éireannach (nationality)The language is "Gaeilge", the nationality is "Éireannach".'Irish' as in the name of the language is 'Gaeilge' or 'An Ghaeilge', pronounced 'Gail Ge'...
Most probably because of the 1916 rising and events leading up to this, whereby the Irish rebels fought against the British rule and brought independence to Ireland.