Any Irish people here?

Conor_Hampton · 01-31-2004, 07:03 PM

I don't mean to be political, but I noticed that a lot of people here are from Northern Ireland. I have been reading a lot of heartbreaking Irish history lately, and was just wondering how you guys who live there feel about living in the six occupied counties? I pray for peace and freedom in Ireland, and I hope I can come soon, maybe for good, I don't know, the more I look into my Irish heritige, the more I love Ireland, but I grew up in America, so I'm torn!

Sedge · 02-01-2004, 10:03 AM

To be honest with you, I have no strong feelings any more about the whole thing. I was brought up in a particularly loyalist area of the country, but as soon as I was old enough to start thinking about the whole thing, I realised that I don't really care at all. I wouldn't mind being part of a united Ireland any more than I mind being part of Great Britain. Like yourself, I just pray for an end to the mindless secterianism and violence, although its hard not to become extremely cynical about it all when you listen to some of the morons we have as politicians.

In any case, the Republic of Ireland is a really great place, you should definitely try and visit it sometime. Actually, the North is quite popular with tourists as well, although I've never really understood why. Everyone is so much more uptight around here, whereas I've always found that the people down south have this amazingly laid-back, friendly manner. Also, they have much nicer weather

. I'm not obsessed with the weather or anything, it just happens to really suck around here right now.

Conor_Hampton · 02-01-2004, 01:15 PM

thanks for the info man

glamaricious · 02-29-2004, 09:43 AM

hey, whats the craic?

My grandparents are irish, my mum is brazilian, my dad was born in northern ireland but my ancestors on his side were scottish. My nationality is brittish, my mum's is irish, I live in northern Ireland but i tell americans that i'm irish just to avoid confusion. how messed up is this? lol!

Conor_Hampton · 02-29-2004, 03:55 PM

why would you say that you are British? Have you ever studied history? Britian subjegated the Irish for almost 700 years. There are still 6 counties that are occupied by Britian. Did all those years of beating down on the Irish work? Have you no sense of nationalism? Have you no IRISH pride? After all the patriotic blood that was shed on your behalf, do you not know your history? Please forgive me if I sound harsh, but I have studied Irish history and am outraged at what the British have done. Currently the British are ok, actually Tony Blair has suggested going by the Good Friday Agreement WHICH BRITIAN SIGNED, but the parliment refused.

nealb · 02-29-2004, 05:26 PM

welcome to the world of northern irish politics...

we're all entitled to views on the political situation here.. but just try and be a bit more sensitive in the way you express them. I think its a fair estimate to say that the northern irish people on the board are more than aware of their own history...

Conor_Hampton · 02-29-2004, 06:02 PM

your right, I'm sorry for not being sensitive to the people I was speaking to. But what I was speaking about is a fact of history.

jreid · 03-01-2004, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealb

welcome to the world of northern irish politics...

we're all entitled to views on the political situation here.. but just try and be a bit more sensitive in the way you express them. I think its a fair estimate to say that the northern irish people on the board are more than aware of their own history...

Well said Neal. Don't you think it really stinks what those yanks did to all those native americans? I reckon they should all get out of there, give the land back and pay compensation. (p.s. this is meant to be irony, for anyone that doesn't get it

)

John

Conor_Hampton · 03-01-2004, 07:57 AM

actually unlike the Norman invasion of 1171, the pilgrims came to settle in thier own colonies, not to invade. For many years the white men lived in the vastly unpopulated parts of North America, and were in relative peace with the natives. It was presidents like Andrew Jackson who were racist barbarians that made things worse. And we got the true yanks out of America, the War for Independance, (and of coarse there was a second war for independance, those british are slow ya know)
irony indeed, but nonetheless it was a very good point. And again I apoligize for questioning your loyalty, I got caught up in the passion of the moment. Its not that I know more than you, I know less. I am just trying to understand this.

glamaricious · 03-01-2004, 10:43 AM

Northern Irish politics is way too complicated for anybody's liking. lol. It hard enough to understand it even when you're northern irish. it sucks. Alot of it is to do with the whole catholic-protestant carry-on, which is really sad i think. You should check out the irish pride website

htttp://www.irishpride.ie lol.

Conor_Hampton · 03-01-2004, 05:43 PM

does everyone here speak Gaelic?

Insane Drummer · 03-01-2004, 06:22 PM

I know a few phrases I learned online. I am fascinated with all things Ireland.

Conor_Hampton · 03-01-2004, 09:13 PM

word, Ireland is definately the most intriging countries in the world. (in my opinion!)

Conor_Hampton · 03-04-2004, 12:11 PM

I got How the Irish Saved Civilization, by Thomas Cahill. It looks pretty good, I think its basically about the Dark Ages, and how Irish monks translated books, then missionaries spread literacy in a time of intellectual blunder.
Hey, I am wanting to write a book, that takes place in Derry, anyone live there/been there?

**Ridley's Own** · 03-06-2004, 09:51 PM

I'd like to ask some N. Ireland Political questions, if youall don't mind. I'm fairly well educated about the situation, so don't be speaking in generalities. Ie., I know the differences between SF, SDLP, UUP, DUP, etc.

1. What does it say about the standing of the Belfast Agreement in general that the DUP won a parlimentary plurality in the last Assembly elections?
2. What does the above say about re-alignment within Unionism/Loyalism?
3. Is John Hume really going to retire, and what will the leaving of the only intellect in the political life of Northern Ireland mean for the country, and mor especifically, in terms of rivalry betwixt Sinn Fein and SDLP?
4. WHat do you think will happen with David Trimble and the UUP?
5. How loyal do you think the mainland UK is to the Union with N. Ireland?
6. Is it possible for the UUP to become more progressive on sectarian issues without becoming the Alliance Party?

I'd like input from all sides, if that's possible. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing responses.

Conor,

Norhtern Ireland protestants have, historically, felt culturally more British than they have Irish, for a host of reasons. For you to say they aren't British is to, on some level, deny their historical identity. There really are two Irish histories, and two Irish identities, when you get down to brass tacks. I would suggest looking at resources that present a Unionist or moderate Nationalist perspective on Irish history. Tim Pat Coogan's books are incredible, and I would heartily recommend them.