Northern Ireland: Your Thoughts

[Loki]

I would be interested to know what forum members (especially American, also British and Irish) think about Northern Ireland. Yes, politics, but also culture, the people, or anything else of interest.

I understand many Americans have Northern Irish (so-called Scotch-Irish or Scots-Irish) ancestry.

Go for it, peacefully please :)

[Loki]

bump

[Newsboy]

Indeed, many Americans are of Northern Irish ancestry. It's especially common in the South and parts of Appalachia above the Mason Dixon Line. They are called 'Scots-Irish'.

Northern Ireland seems like a nice place. I would like to visit some day.

[Óttar]

I would be interested to know what forum members (especially American, also British and Irish) think about Northern Ireland. Yes, politics, but also culture, the people, or anything else of interest.

I understand many Americans have Northern Irish (so-called Scotch-Irish or Scots-Irish) ancestry.

Go for it, peacefully please :)
My father's side is Irish Catholic and my aunt on my maternal side is of Irish Protestant and Scottish extraction. The rest of my mom's family is a smattering of predominantly British peoples: English, Cornish, Welsh, and Scottish.

I think it's ridiculous that Republicans and Unionists are still fighting in Northern Ireland. I think the Unionists are triumphalists and are the biggest obstruction to unity in Ireland. This Protestant-Catholic conflict is merely recreational violence for the idle underclasses. Northern Irish politicians make a big deal about having to support bilingual English-Gaelic signage and documents because they are anti-intellectual provocateurs. They have an extremely simplistic view of history and they don't realize that Irish Protestants were some of the greatest proponents of the Irish Gaelic revival. Irish Protestants are stuck in a time-warp where the rest of the peoples of the British Isles have moved beyond such petty conflicts. I'm sure the British government would like to wash their hands clean of the Northern Ireland situation, but they are under an obligation to protect British subjects and they want to keep control of the vital northern Irish sea-lines which are critical military choke-points. It's ironic that the Irish Protestants say they are loyal British subjects and yet they routinely fire projectiles at, and injure British military and police personnel. I commend that the British have scaled back their presence in the six counties, where, as far as I know, there is not a single British soldier on Irish soil (in an active military capacity).

I would like to see a united Ireland where sectarianism has no place. I don't think either side should engage in violence and union should be achieved gradually through peaceful, democratic means.

[Graham]

Some are blinded in politics by tribalism which runs in the family. There is always that lingering spark of the troubles returning, the politics has become more decisive with the SDLP binned for Sinn Fein & the UUP for DUP. So a bit of of a wedge in the irish assembly and good friday agreement is looking fragile. Ironically the talks to try and keep the assembly running led by a Tory with the surname Brokenshire.

There is the modern young northern Ireland that hasn't went through the bad stuff but will have the stories.

We have the orange walks and republicans here but they live in the same streets more. And I find myself whistling to the sash, but dislike the orange lodge.

That scots-irish thing. There are Northern irish people with Presbyterian backgrounds who call themselves Scots, again down tho the tribal separate thing. amuses me, some do sound like scots.

[Graham]

bump

Northern Ireland was pretty much invisible to the British until a few weeks back, when folk in england found out that it might effect them with this minority government.

A lot of English people googling "who are the DUP?" :D It's all Ireland to them.

Ian Paisleys dream team running the show. Keep the taigs and catholics out, excluding that man from the catholic family called King Billy. :D

[Newsboy]

Yeah, I've heard of some tensions between Republicans and Unionists. The former are Catholics and the latter Protestants, well mainly.

But nonetheless still a place worth visiting IMO

[Loki]

My father's side is Irish Catholic and my aunt on my maternal side is of Irish Protestant and Scottish extraction. The rest of my mom's family is a smattering of predominantly British peoples: English, Cornish, Welsh, and Scottish.

I think it's ridiculous that Republicans and Unionists are still fighting in Northern Ireland. I think the Unionists are triumphalists and are the biggest obstruction to unity in Ireland. This Protestant-Catholic conflict is merely recreational violence for the idle underclasses. Northern Irish politicians make a big deal about having to support bilingual English-Gaelic signage and documents because they are anti-intellectual provocateurs. They have an extremely simplistic view of history and they don't realize that Irish Protestants were some of the greatest proponents of the Irish Gaelic revival. Irish Protestants are stuck in a time-warp where the rest of the peoples of the British Isles have moved beyond such petty conflicts. I'm sure the British government would like to wash their hands clean of the Northern Ireland situation, but they are under an obligation to protect British subjects and they want to keep control of the vital northern Irish sea-lines which are critical military choke-points. It's ironic that the Irish Protestants say they are loyal British subjects and yet they routinely fire projectiles at, and injure British military and police personnel. I commend that the British have scaled back their presence in the six counties, where, as far as I know, there is not a single British soldier on Irish soil (in an active military capacity).

I would like to see a united Ireland where sectarianism has no place. I don't think either side should engage in violence and union should be achieved gradually through peaceful, democratic means.

You seem to be quite anti-Protestant. Sadly, such an attitude would not be the right one in thinking of a united Ireland. A united Ireland would be possible if everyone respects each other. But I have to say, the culture in Northern Ireland is quite different from the Repubic of Ireland. You know, there are also many Northern Irish Catholics who do not want unification, they want to stay British governed.

[Loki]

Some are blinded in politics by tribalism which runs in the family. There is always that lingering spark of the troubles returning, the politics has become more decisive with the SDLP binned for Sinn Fein & the UUP for DUP. So a bit of of a wedge in the irish assembly and good friday agreement is looking fragile. Ironically the talks to try and keep the assembly running led by a Tory with the surname Brokenshire.

There is the modern young northern Ireland that hasn't went through the bad stuff but will have the stories.

We have the orange walks and republicans here but they live in the same streets more. And I find myself whistling to the sash, but dislike the orange lodge.

That scots-irish thing. There are Northern irish people with Presbyterian backgrounds who call themselves Scots, again down tho the tribal separate thing. amuses me, some do sound like scots.

They are very proud of their Scottish heritage. :)

[Mingle]

I support a united Ireland....as part of the UK ;)

[Mingle]

Northern Ireland was pretty much invisible to the British until a few weeks back, when folk in england found out that it might effect them with this minority government.

A lot of English people googling "who are the DUP?" :D It's all Ireland to them.

How informed are Scots on Northern Ireland in comparison to England-Wales? Do you guys view them as family more than the English/Welsh do since most NI Protestants are of Scottish descent?



Ian Paisleys dream team running the show. Keep the taigs and catholics out, excluding that man from the catholic family called King Billy. :D

Fun fact: the hillbillies of USA are named after Ulster-Scots. They were called "Billies" cause they revered King William, and the "hill" comes from the fact they lived on hills.

[Mingle]

Funny thing, before the Plantation of Ulster (long before), there were a group of people from Ulster called the Cruthins. The Cruthins lived in the north of Ireland (roughly modern NI) whereas the Irish/Gaels lived in the rest of the island.

The term Cruthin is cognate with Britain.

Qritani --> Cruthin

Pritani --> Britain

So in the 8th century, there were a group of people in Northern Ireland called British. Living in Ireland but calling yourself British before it was fashionable ;)

This is just a historical coincidence I noticed which I thought I would share, meaningless in today's context of course.

[Óttar]

You seem to be quite anti-Protestant. Sadly, such an attitude would not be the right one in thinking of a united Ireland. A united Ireland would be possible if everyone respects each other. But I have to say, the culture in Northern Ireland is quite different from the Repubic of Ireland. You know, there are also many Northern Irish Catholics who do not want unification, they want to stay British governed.
That is because it is generally the Protestants who are triumphalists and who march in Catholic neighborhoods on King Billy day in order to get a rise out of the Catholic population. It is the Protestant population and their belligerent attitude which is standing in the way of unification. If the majority of the Northern Irish population wants to remain British subjects then let them remain British subjects, but demographic trends reveal that unification with the Republic is a possibility in the future.

[Loki]

That is because it is generally the Protestants who are triumphalists and who march in Catholic neighborhoods on King Billy day in order to get a rise out of the Catholic population. It is the Protestant population and their belligerent attitude which is standing in the way of unification. If the majority of the Northern Irish population wants to remain British subjects then let them remain British subjects, but demographic trends reveal that unification with the Republic is a possibility in the future.

Indeed, I have heard from more than one Irish Catholic that they depend on demographic trends of the future. However this also means that they don't foresee reconciliation or even normality in generations to come?

[Óttar]

Indeed, I have heard from more than one Irish Catholic that they depend on demographic trends of the future. However this also means that they don't foresee reconciliation or even normality in generations to come?
Reconciliation and normality = Union with Great Britain? One doesn't necessitate the other, imo.

[Loki]

Reconciliation and normality = Union with Great Britain? One doesn't necessitate the other, imo.

No, I mean with each other within the status quo politically. Modern people don't like revolutions.

[Óttar]

No, I mean with each other within the status quo politically. Modern people don't like revolutions.
Anything's possible. I'm saying I would ideally like to see a peaceful and democratic transition to union with the Republic, but remaining a part of Northern Ireland is preferable to violence.

[Loki]

I must say, Northern Irelander "hillbillys" of the late nineteenth century very much remind me of Boers at that time:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/HatfieldClan.jpg/1024px-HatfieldClan.jpg

[Neon Knight]

A united Ireland is not on the horizon. I think the Republic itself is not too keen on the idea because of what it could cost. Think of the policing for one thing.

[Catkin]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/militant-irish-republican-group-plan-10684180

[Loki]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/militant-irish-republican-group-plan-10684180

lol, the only reason the Scots would support them was because if Ireland unites and NI leaves the UK, it would give the Scottish independence idea a boost. Belfast, for example, was actually a Scottish city in reality. Lots of Scottish history there. I think Belfast could fit better in Scotland.

[Graham]

lol, the only reason the Scots would support them was because if Ireland unites and NI leaves the UK, it would give the Scottish independence idea a boost. Belfast, for example, was actually a Scottish city in reality. Lots of Scottish history there. I think Belfast could fit better in Scotland.

There are Scots, who call themselves Irish and put Ireland first. We have Irish nationalists here who are sympathetic to Scottish independence. But a united Ireland is a bigger goal. I think some have been attracted to Corbyn recently and why Coatbridge which is known for its republican marches voted Labour recently and binned the SNP.

You remember that poster we had from a few years back called Murphy, Loki.

You have Ulstermen call themselves Scots and there are Scots who call themselves Irish. It is quite tribal that way.

[Graham]

Anyone think Sinn Fein will pull the plug on Stormont soon?

[Loki]

Anyone think Sinn Fein will pull the plug on Stormont soon?

Whichever situation earns them more money... I think. :rolleyes:

[Loki]

There are Scots, who call themselves Irish and put Ireland first. We have Irish nationalists here who are sympathetic to Scottish independence. But a united Ireland is a bigger goal. I think some have been attracted to Corbyn recently and why Coatbridge which is known for its republican marches voted Labour recently and binned the SNP.

You remember that poster we had from a few years back called Murphy, Loki.

You have Ulstermen call themselves Scots and there are Scots who call themselves Irish. It is quite tribal that way.

Oh yes, of course... Murphy! :lol: I guess it's the Catholic connection.

[Neon Knight]

"How the SAS wiped out ‘invincible’ IRA unit in just 10 minutes"

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/loughgall-how-the-sas-wiped-out-invincible-ira-unit-in-just-10-minutes-1-7678021

[Sekarotuinen]

British land.