Brian Cowen is proposing to embrace people of Irish descent in a move that could redefine our nation.
In New York last week, Brian Cowen made a significant speech. Although not much detail was reported, its content will have more impact on Ireland than anything he or Nicolas Sarkozy might have said at their much-hyped meeting.
In his address at the Irish consulate, Cowen proved that he is a modern thinker, a politician in touch with global realities, who is contemplating a post-nationalist Ireland. He spoke about the Irish tribe. He said that he would redefine the relationship Ireland has with the US, and in particular with Irish America.
According to a report in the Irish Echo, Cowen articulated a novel idea, which has the capacity to change Ireland’s relationship with the world, ‘‘acknowledging everyone who had worked hard in the Irish community, whether they were Irish-born, their parents were born in Ireland, or those who simply had a sense of being Irish’’. Cowen said that these were partnerships that were meaningful for those with a deep, serious kinship.
The Taoiseach announced that he was undertaking a full review of Ireland’s relationship with the USA. He stated: ‘‘This work will also prove invaluable in informing wider initiatives to harness the power of the Irish diaspora across the world.”
He continued: ‘‘We have to recognise these new realities, recognise the new challenges, today and tomorrow,” adding that the Irish had entered a new era globally and that the potential of the diaspora was a resource that had to be tapped.
This is a significant move by the Taoiseach because it reveals that the Irish state has finally recognised that, in a globally interconnected world, the country with the best network has a huge comparative advantage.
The world is undergoing a communication revolution that will obliterate national power as we have come to know it. It will mean that a nation’s message becomes blurred, and the power of being sociable – sometimes in the past portrayed as a weakness, and the antithesis to the stoicism and aloofness of power – will dominate.
The world has 1.4 billion plugged-in internet users and that number is growing by 250million a year. There are three billion mobile phones in the world, with another billion coming in the next three years. Ten hours of video are being uploaded onto YouTube every minute of every day. This connectivity revolution, where the best salespeople for ideas will be individuals playing a giant game of ‘pass it on’, is ideally suited to dramatic initiatives, and the diaspora is a natural sales force for the country.
The winners will be those countries which have access to the best brains, are open to ideas and which allow individuals to travel freely. As Cowen is proposing much freer travel between Ireland and America, presumably for people of Irish heritage, we could see our potential workforce increase from four million to 70 million.
These people would not have to move here, although some undoubtedly would, but by telling them that Ireland is open to them and vice-versa, you create the network necessary to compete.
If we just think about the Irish in America, the commercial power of the diaspora is irrefutable. Of the 34 million Irish-Americans registered, in the 2005 census, a third have bachelors degrees or higher. That’s over 11 million people.
More than 30 million Irish Americans have a high school diploma. As 91 per cent of the total Irish-American population has completed secondary education, our American cousins are considerably better educated than us. Even today, only seven out of ten Irish children finish the Leaving Cert.
Some 40 per cent of Irish Americans are either professionals or work in management, and 72 per cent are home owners.
The average income of an Irish-American household is $53,000. This puts them at the top of the ethnic league after the Jews, in terms of education, income and social class. Close to 900,000 English speaking Irish-Americans speak a second language. Their average age is 37, but there are over 10million Irish-Americans under 18.
This is an extraordinary reservoir of talent. The Irish-Americans define themselves as Irish; and while they are American, they have a deep affection for, and affiliation to, this country.
The 3.8 million Irish Canadians, the 1.9 million Irish Australians and the half-million Irish Argentines have similar profiles in terms of education and income.
By giving them a stake in their country of origin, Ireland could easily offer companies a most attractive package, a European country with a truly global workforce whose human capital is guaranteed and whose networks are solid.
Embracing a worldwide tribe who are not bound by geography or political boundaries but are unified by culture, familial history and shared experiences, would be a post-nationalist project – the very essence of globalisation. Last Monday, in contrast, Sarkozy seemed like a dinosaur – a Kissngerian hangover from the era of nation states, defined by geography, where the state defined the citizen’s relationship with the world.
Sarkozy was like a ‘top-down’ relic in a ‘bottom-up’ world, talking about relationships between states and using expression like ‘‘vital national interests’’.
He spoke of European visions, as if we were still in the Cold War. This is one of the problems with the EU. It is dominated by people whose view of the world has not changed since the Treaty of Versailles and who appear to see power as something for countries to fight over. But power has been disseminated. The small are rich, the big are poor. Those with soft power are thriving, those countries with traditional hard power are faltering.
A global diaspora, plugged in and bound by something much more important than money, is possibly the best asset any country could dream of – and we have it. The Taoiseach has triggered something powerful. Let’s plough on.
Whoa, David S.. .thats some fire in your belly. you have passion I’ll give you that. Fergus is right, your heart is in the right place, but jasus man it would do no harm to bring it down a peg, you’ll take an ulcer.
As for your ideals, i agree totally with the going nuclear concept. I actually think we dont have any other option, wind is inefficient and wave seems to complex. Although Imagine the NIMBY with nuclear and paddy of old running the show! I shudder! But these can be overcome.
I think you may have missed my point regarding the new industries. I dont think manufacturing is an option for us anymore although I’d love to be proved wrong. We just cannot compete. However the example i used in my previous comment re design of jet engine components is not hypothetical. I am a tax consultant (with expertise in patents and IP) and the individual compnay in question actually designs these components in their lab. And gets paid handsomely for it. I prepared a case study on this company and while they operate in only a 1000sq ft self prepared lab, they are worth a small fortune year to the local town in which they are located.
and remember they only design and improve. Manufacture of the parts is done in bangladesh, (as cheap as chips) the IP and license remains in Ireland and hence the real income is generated in Ireland.
This is what is ment by the Knowledge Economy, and this, I belive, is where the future is at. creativity!!!
Therefore to Marry this to your ideals, the big companies may no longer come here (these do the manufacturing and will go to Bangladesh et al), but we can become self sufficient by being creative, and giving the foreign based multi’s something to build. Multiply that many times over and hey presto sustainable export industry, that feeds into the local economy keeping it vitalised and that my friend is what you are trying to adovcate.
as for your swipe at the yanky way of life, well, the greed and Mé Féin attitude will dissapear in the same way as the Transit vans with Paddy McThick Property Developer (contact 086 XXX) written on the side!!! lol!
lol yeah I think i’m feeling a bump at the back of my neck- better get it checked. I have nothing against the American so long as it stays in one place- America. Ireland should be Irish- and the only Irish should be ones of experience, not “Irish Americans”, “Irish Australians”, “Irish Argentinians” (that one makes me laugh- wonder are there many Pablo Murphys or Carlos O’ Reillys waiting to join Sinn Fein’s ranks- a bit of Latin American firebrand marxism would do SF’s post civilian bombing and groovy organic carrot juice image wonders – perhaps Gerry Adams could establish links with the Guevaras? LOL). And anybody under the category (at least from my analysis of the Popes children) of “Hi-Co’s” should simply emigrate to join their snob mates in London if they don’t like the rest of us mere “Hibernians”. Thats one my of my points- instead of bringing some people who think their Irish because their great-great-great-great-great-great-great………………………………..grandfathers cousins sisters mothers aunts uncles FRIEND left on a ship from country Cork eon’s ago- we should kick the “Hi-Co’s” out of the country. As somebody who is proud of native Irish culture and can speak the language- I am disgusted with the idea of D4 types thinking their more Irish than the rest of us. (oops bump is getting at me again…..lol).
Like I said earlier in one of my posts I have to have Scottish ancestry- but that is 150 years ago and one part of my family. I do not even think or believe I am Scottish in the slightest- certainly not “Scots-Irish”. Don’t get me wrong Scotland is also a fellow celtic land- and have suffered as much at the brutal hand of the English as we have- such as the clearances and the 19th century famines in the Highland, buts its just that I cannot for a second even think of myself as remotely Scottish. That is the problem with idiot nations like America or Australia- they can’t just call themselves American or Australian. Americans should be Americans….full stop- NOT “Irish Americans”, “Anglo-Americans”, “Scots-Irish Americans” (in fact thats probably the most idiotic description that a person can give themselves- one person of three nationalities). And how can you be Irish if you grow up in societies completely alien to Irish society- its people and its way of life. If most people in America/Canada/Australia think that been Irish means living in rustic cottages, dancing around bonfires and transporting turf by donkey they are completely deluded. This is a real country with people making a living- not some theme-park for some so-called “Irish Diaspora” to drop in and out. And when McWilliams wrote in the new book ‘the generation game’ that we “native” irish look down our noses at the “diaspora”- he was misunderstanding the situation. Leaving aside the fact its the job of the HiCo’s in D4 to look down their noses at everybody else- the reason we “native irish” show little or no connection or interests in these people is that we simply couldnt be bother with them- and in fact laugh at them (plastic paddy comes to mind). I think David McWilliams should go back to writing good articles (which he does in the indo) and just forget about this silly diaspora argument- McWilliams your better than this nonsense that your writing about.
“the greed and Mé Féin attitude will dissapear in the same way as the Transit vans with Paddy McThick Property Developer (contact 086 XXX) written on the side!!! lol!”
I know this one is a good crack at politicans/developers- but I can’t really make out the point. And btw i’m ringing up the doctor in case this bump expands anymore! lol
Quote: “Charlie Haughey, Bertie Ahern, Burke and Lawlor were nothing but criminals and fraudsters,,,,,,,,,,,,, This mess that we are in now is because of that Fraud Ahern”
That may be accurate enough.
That Fianna Fail are umbilically connected to country’s most powerful developers is unquestionable.
That this party has maintained- for decades- a stranglehold on the rezoning of lands to facilitate their own -whilst many of them sold their souls for thirty pieces of silver in the process- goes without saying.
That the banks, in conjunction with a huge number of speculators,and panicky first time buyers, have been the engine of the property bubble, is not doubted.
That so called “democratic politics” in Ireland is practiced on the basis that a cunning party will-at any cost to the welfare and common good of the 50% of the electorate who never exercise their precious franchise-use the national treasury to enrich sectional groups and thereby achieve re-election; is a most dastardly abuse of power.
Perhaps the saddest part of it all is that no opposition party-were it meritorious, and capable of governing for the common good- can ever aspire to government in this country, as the buying-off of powerful sectional interests (public service unions?) by Fianna Fail is so entrenched that it would take the will and resolve of a Margaret Thatcher to break the back of the “real government” in Ireland: big developers, farmers,and the public sector unions.
david S & observer
so…eh…what happens when ireland’s fledgling nuclear industry is bought out by EDF (French nuclear co.)………or does everythig have to be “made in ireland”. Are you going to allow the import of uranium or…are we going to mine that in your village ? Are we going to employ foreign experts to show us how to do it…or maybe that guy who is making the jet engine in his country cottage can do it during his lunch break.
where do we store our nuke waste – ok for it to be in your home village /rustic community David S ?
You two guys…(observer and david) you are so into pigeon holing and exclusion. Observer (mmm… what were they thinking at the birth to give such a name – maybe your 3 eyes are on the ends of antennae…) – you have such a strict opinion about what doesn’t constitute an Irish person. You suggest that genetics should exclude Irishness !!. What a boring homogenous club your diaspora would be. You actually sound a little Hitler youth ‘ish.
By the way the reason you are able to accomodate ideas such as high tech cottage industry is because we embraced foreign industry in the first place – and we have benefited hugely from the learning experience (not to mention the tax receipts). It’s all about embracing and letting happen…good ole laissez faire !
You guys are just a little twitty. The world is the way it is because humans are the way they are. Evolution has brought us this far and financial systems help us trade and (generally) get the work done where it’s best done. Every step in Irelands economic evolution brings us up a level of ability and allows all stakeholders to opt for a profession or lifestyle of their chosing.
We owe a lot to Amercian investment, and quite a lot to one time British rule…hard enough as it is to acknowledge it.
It smacks of arrogance for you guys to say to hell with the diaspora, the ones who have a deep tan, and those who flaunt their affluence. I say all are welcome – To feel proud and Irish – if that is what they want. If they want to behave like a yobbo, or a nazi (that’s u by the way) then they only let themselves down – and if you think the march of a nation should be steered to avoid the sound of their drum…then you are exposing the chip on your shoulder.
Your suggestions of steering the country to correct arrogant behaviour is almost as deeply flawed as equating attendance at church with virtue.
Guys…admit it . You missed out …and your a wee bit sore. So you want to change the rules now…and you’ll keep on changing until we’re all the same and have no outside contact. You hate the entreprenurial spirit and you dislike folks who do well for themselves.Ye’re just begrudgers. Politically and economically you are national socialists. Your creed is long dead and buried. You guys are “has beens”…or more acurately…”never hads”…… and “never wills”….
Fergus,
I reject being compared to anything like the savages that were the Nazi’s they believed that their was “One Pure Race, vastly Superior than others”
That is the rhetoric of some sick and twisted individuals – Yes I believe in a Homogenous Society because thats what having a Strong National Indentity is.
I’m very greatful for what the Irish Diaspora has done for us by the way, that’s why personally I’d happily allow those who actually constitute being of strong Irish Ancestry back into this country. As a token of gratitude.
I have lived abroad and from experience am able to constitute an Irishman from my own observations.
I was trying to Prove a point……… having partial ancestry doesn’t enable to compare yourself fully with another person who has full ancestry.
Having an Irish Surname wouldn’t in today’s world couldn’t automatically constitute you an Irishman…….. descent in the majority of cases distinguishes you on eligibility and I personally think that is fair.
They certainly use idea in Japan
e.g.
K.T. Tunstall has some chinese ancestry but it is only partial and if she applied to be a chinese citizen based on descent over an Australian man with majority or full chinese ancestry…….. the citizenship bureau would choose the latter.
Robert De Niro is another example he comes across as the typical Italian-American Wiseguy…… but he’s only a 1/4 Italian…….. he’s 3/4 Irish…… Strange but very true!
Finally no I don’t know David S, I completely reject the idea that one ethnic group is superior than another and I wouldn’t hold that view as long as I live.
P.S. I’d rather donate my organs as dog meat than see any Nuclear Power in Ireland be held in Private and Non-National Hands.
The problem with you naysayers is that you find it difficult to agree on any single issue. Luckily for the rest of us.
Anyway the good news all round is that if you had your way we wouldn’t need a extra powerstations – our GDP would plummet under your old way thinking.
Good to see you’ve worked out the percentages for Irish qualification…they will make a nice Chapter 12 of “the purity of the Irish race” by David n’ Observer. And you reference an old axis power to justify calculations (Japan…quite reknowned for being sticklers on most things) …nice one.
It sounds like you are quite frightened at the prospect of foreign controlled utilities. It must be due to the nature of the products and by products. It can’t be the fact of foreign controlled energy – coz that’s what we have right now. I think it’s strange that you trust the government more than proven experts to run such an operation considering that the government have no experience in the industry…mmmmm…
You don’t say if we could store the spent uranium in your mum’s garden shed – so i guess that’s a no. And I’m wondering where we are going to get the uranium in the first place ….mmmmm…more foreign control eh… ?
Who cares – AS LONG AS THE JOB IS DONE RIGHT !! you bloody dimwit.
Do us a favour – quit the retrospective BS, close the “1946 rule book on the scientific definition of being Irish”. Wake up and realise that we are all economic and value system snobs, and we are all just as happy slightly higher socio-economic types no matter where the hell they are from.
I’ll tell you one thing I’d welcome being in the same club as a positive “no irish blood” wannabe from Addis Ababba , than being in the same club as you begrudgers.
Ok Fergus, so who from the diaspora should we ring up and ask them to pay dear old mammy Ireland a visit? (keep in mind they have to be useful)
I’ve ordered a list here of possible candidates to pay mammy a visit, here goes………
(a) Daniel Day Lewis (Last of the mohicans star-born in London, hobbies include fighting with Mohicans for land- a possible recruit for Sinn Fein?)
(b) Dirty Harry (admits to been Irish in one his of films)
(c) Fernando Fitzpatrick Ahern (is a successful politician/developer in Buenos Aires area, comes with free jet, hobbies include camping in Argentinian jungle. A possible candidate for the tent “gathering” [wink wink] at the Galway races?)
(d) FernEnda Rodrigez Kenny (semi-successful politican/developer in Tierra del Fuengo region, enjoys reading, poetry and growing daffodils in back garden. Dislikes include confrontation and provokative debate)
(e) Bruce Maxi “mad max” Smith (an innovative Australian scientist working effortesly to create a machine that will humans to communicate with crocodiles. Hobbies include watching home and away with a nice cool fosters to cope with sweltering Aussie climate)
(f) Jeremy Irons/Bruce Willis (Willis aka John McCain is an ‘Irish’ American copper. Hobbies include swearing, riding subway roofs, doing mathamatics with petrol bombs etc etc… Jeremy Irons- fellow die hard Irish enthusiast- spends all his time living an “authentic life” in rural Cork [a tax dodgers excuse perhaps]. Hobbies include telling people hes not Daniel Day Lewis, and errhh……….ok next)
(g) Gormless “Green” Sweeney (San Francisco based activist. Achievements include apologizing to brown bears about the land-grab from the white man- and setting up reservation camps with free Cognitive Psychology classes to cope with anger for white mans crimes against his people. Hobbies include investing and learning about “eco village” [will be constructed by Fernando Fitzpatrick Ahern & co- who have bought up the SF retail market in recent years- the wonder of free trade]
(f) Ted Kennedy (US senator, enjoys drinking in his local B-a-larney sto-hh-nee pub and “dropping” off mistresses in cars…..oh wait thats nasty. Achievements include proving that you can follow in your brothers footsteps- only the other way around in that the car incident didnt put him off the face of the earth)
(g) Johnny Cortes Manuel O’ Brady (Santiago based Argentinian off-shore accountant. Claims 7.54% Irish blood along with 54.128% Indian and other various unknown bloodlines. Hobbies include “dealing” [wink wink] with Irish based bank accounts)
(h) Shane McGowan (London born Englishman. Enjoys singing “up-ya-boya” jingles- and has even made some money out of it. Hobbies include “recreational hobbies” [wink wink]. Interests include that “you too can be irish”- just take a bit of guiness, a bit of bad-temper, a bit of rough-and-tumble punch ups- and hey presto there you go your an Irishman!)
Fergus there are millions more names coming up here on my monitor, with just as much potential as the other candidates above. This is an interesting bunch- look Fergus I was been really stupid and immature I mean LOL I was thinking LOL (hold on cant stop laughing at my naivety)…..I was thinking of investing in such things as complete energy independence and an energy export economy, along with Irish-made computer/hi-tech objects instead of from Daddy Mao’s computer, nickname chip cookies (investors include Fernando Fitzpatrick Ahern, who buys up Chinese made bricks to be used for Buenos Aires housing…nothing to do with cheap labour or anything, just the free market). Take your pick Fergus. There all an interesting bunch- and they could come in useful in this country of ours (wink wink)
Besides the interesting topic of nuclear power stations,and our diaspora,
has anybody any views on the fact that an astounding 12% of our population who hold irish passports are “non national”.?
I was traveling through Singapore last year and witnessed an altercation between an immigration official and a clearly affluent big black mama, very well dressed and hanging with jewelry. She was in the transit section traveling from Russia to Ireland.!
(Only God knows why, or what she was doing in Russia.)
He wanted to detain her but as she had not officially “entered” the state of Singapore, he relented and allowed her to continue.Perhaps it was a racist thing.Perhaps it was her having an irish passport. Who knows.?
He was scrutinizing the passport intently,with a magnifying glass!
I recognized the irish harp on it.I was a little bemused at it all.
A phenomenon of the astounding “Celtic Tiger’ era.
Certainly the irish diaspora crossed seas and oceans to survive and got new passports too.
We can thank Fianna Fail for the number of “wanna be irish” alien newspaper vendors who are currently plying their trade on the highways and byways of Dublin city, waiting for their own passport to a better life.
The legal profession are making fortunes on the various arguments as to why they,or their children should remain here, or their parents or grandparents should be permitted to join them etc.
No doubt they will all find their way into the taxi business in the coming years.
Is this a healthy development now that the bubble has burst.?
Is it all sustainable.?
Will the natives grow restless when they see the new “irish” in gainful employment ,while they languish “on the dole”.? Food for thought.
Who gives a rattling “doo dah” John.
I have never heard such a miserable bunch of whiners. I guess the positive guys reply to the blog up front…I am definitely down the back here with the evolutionary herd stragglers.
The most unfortunate thing that could happen to one of these immigrants would be that their children should mate with any of you naysayers children (John, Observer and David S) – their positive go getter spirit would intermingle with the begrudger loser genes.
I love the postitive inclusiveness of most Irish folk – you guys don’t have it.
Amazing how a minor downturn encourages all the slow worms back out of the earth. It doesn’t justify your eternal negative stance you witless twits – it just is a breather between good times…but sadly for you a downturn is the only period you can relate to. You feed on negativity.
I’m off to find greener pastures of positivity…off to graze in the winner’s enclosure.
OOPs…just saw David S’ post right now
I know he’d be upset if I didn’t acknowledge his contribution.
Errr David…you were funnier when you weren’t trying. And that’s because the daftness and immaturity of your proposals were inherently funny and entertaining.
The first paragraph was interesting for 2 reasons. At least 2 of the people on the list probably already do carry a passport and are talented and would be most welcome anywhere in Ireland (except at your Nazi meetings).
The others are already Irish in one major sense – they want to be and they are willing to be recognised as such.
I don’t care what you think about the classification of folk. I am delighted that Ireland is getting fresh blood. My preference is for a balanced mix of intelligence and skill and loads of positivity – regardless of where they are from.
You and your cohorts are great examples of why cross breeding is required.
Anyway …winner’s enclosure awaits
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Judging by the number of comments on this article, obviously there is a lot of opinion on this one.
Slagging is a great Irish tradition and long may it last, but let us trade blows on the subject at hand without getting to personal in the insults. However bonkers you think they are.
Fergus,
I’ve afraid you’re completely misunderstanding my arguement.
I merely pointed out that you can only properly belong to a distinctive group of people if you have most of their characteristics……… not partial/the slightest trace.
Insulting me is not going to help you, The Japanese do use a test determining ancestral eligibility for citizenship and it probably is the best way of selecting those who deserve being a citizen over a potential fraud.
Besides most Irish-Americans for example are 3/4 Irish and 1/4 from elsewhere, that doesn’t bother me in the slightest……. if you have majority ancestry of over 50% that should be eligible enough……. under that amount just cannot qualify in my opinion.
I’m sorry to say but I’ve been around and about Dublin for the past year and seen some truly dreadful displays of prejudice: I overheard a girl of 16 refer discouragingly to a boy that fancied her by a Deregotory name (He was a Pakistani) and at the GAA Leinster Cup Final Last Year, I saw a black guy in the crowd have a bag of popcorn thrown at him from a great height.
Not to mention there was that awful display recently at a GAA Junior Match in Carlow, where a Young Black Child on the pitch was subjected to verbal abuse from BOTH sides of the pitch calling for his lynching. That was in the Irish Times Last Week – There are many verbal and Physical attacks being carried out against Migrants which are not even reported.
- Gerry Nash mentioned above that Mass Immigration is the worst thing to ever happen to this country, I completely believe him and think as consequence we are seeing a backlash in society with all this unreasonable and bigotted behaviour.
I only fear its now going to get worse, especially with this very bad recession that we are now in due to our own greed and stupidity.
After living away from Ireland for 20 years, especially in the UK. You need only see how fruitless and unsustainable a diverse society is……….. Most of my few friends in England now admit Enoch Powell was right in predicting that in the future trouble will erupt.
You can only learn what constitututes an Irishman after living away from Ireland for a little bit of time.
One friend of mine visited Ireland last year for the first time and felt really cheated………. he said that he didn’t hear one Irish Voice at all only until he visited his ancestral home.
I just want Ireland to be like what is was before immigration changed it beyond recognition, Ireland when it was Homogenous and Monocultural had virtually no racism……….. is it too much to ask really to have your national identity back again?
The Brits, French, Germans & even the Dutch are getting very tired of MultiCulturalism and they want their identities back………. I suggest you visit the UK and ask around what people really think.
On the otherhand I suggest you watch Channel 4′s Panorama Special (Immigration: The Inconvenient Truth) on Youtube with Raageh Omah ……… that will suprise you.
Hey Observer!
‘Ireland when it was Homogenous and Monocultural had virtually no racism’
Would you like to read that again?
‘Is it too much to ask really to have your national identity back again?’ Well I for one have no problems with my national identity. Maybe yours was a bit weak to begin with?
Hey Gerry Nash!
‘[David S] is dead on about Mass Immigration. It’s been a disaster for Ireland…’
‘Where do you get your prejudices from, Dealga?… Or are you just cocooned in your own little monolingual monocultural world?’
I’ll share the ironing with you – it’s delicious!
Now if I’ve insulted you, Gerry, then bloody excellent!… ‘Pakis’ !!! Unbelievable! Maybe there’s a gaelscoil in Oldham or Burnley that will teach your kids because I’d say you’d feel right at home in places like that.
I shouldn’t waste my time on your sort – there’s no talking to the likes of you – but if you want to think that my point had anything at all to do with a choice between the ‘survival’ of Irish and foreign migrant workers then you go tie yourself up in all the xenophobic knots you like. And going on about foreigners attending gaelscoil! Jebus, you couldn’t have missed my point any further if you tried!
But hey, just so you know, if I moved country and my kids had to learn a new language, I think I’d get them to learn one at a time, and probably in order of practicality. But that’s just me, I’m just a begrudger, aren’t I.
Personally Dealga,
I’ve got more important things to focus on. Malcolm McClure entry isn’t too different to mine on some aspects.
I grew up in the UK which doesn’t have any identity at all, when I came back to Ireland for visits………. The people were content with what they had.
Back then there were only a few thousand non-nationals in the country, we didn’t mind at all and foreign nationals were more warmly welcomed than compared to now.
I’ll finally close by saying Ireland was more tolerant when it was Monocultural, that is a fact that can’t be ignored. I witnessed that period and many other did aswell before all this madness erupted.
oh Fergus- i’m sitting with my kleenex tisues sobbing that you didnt find my post “funny”……….no excuse me I have to go and deal with this traumatic episode in my life.
btw a didnt brother told me that Bert was flying (in his own taxpayer funded jet) to do some “business” (wink wink) in Buenos Aires. Something to do with the diaspora……I think……
Dealga – good on ya. These guys ARE obviously Xenophobes. They hate the modern ways and new ideas and new people and feel comfortable with the old ways. They are a sub tribe – hibernica dinosaura xenophobarum.
Observer. You “visited” over the years. Nevertheless I am not going to exclude you from participating in this country based on that. Nor am I going to apply arbitrary genetic rules to determine your eligibility. I guess that through your rose tinted glasses you failed to see the poor treatment of teenage pregnancies, economic and social exclsusion, the lack of opportunity and womens rights, the stiffling rule of the catholic church….the lack of a meritocracy. Hey you were probably “visiting” just for that reason alone..if you weren’t a farmer or a civil servant , or the offspring of either you had to emigrate.
I used to visit the UK as a youngster/young adult and I only saw kids of different nationalities playing together. And hell ! – they sure opened their arms wide to the Irish! And as all the old die hards (and attitudes like yours) die off – assimilation becomes easier. What I lament is the general lack of ambition and self respect of ALL communities now in the UK – and probably the worst examples are in low socio-economic indigineous (!) groupings. Hey what about our own traveller community !
What country doesn’t have assimilation challenges ? The country you seek to emulate – Japan – have virtually eradicated their indigineous populations (the Ainu), and tried to eradicate other non indigenous populations too , down through the years. Hardly an example of tolerance or success in relationships !
I have no problem applying eductional qualification rules to non EU immigrants…but other than that we have to accept and deal with the challenge.
For every negative reaction you mention there are 100 positives. When I last lived in Ireland my BEST behaved and friendliest neighbours were Nigerians. They were an example to the community.
More concentration needs to be given to encouraging good parenthood, and channeling childhood enthusiasm along positive lines, AND tackling ignorance (your’s and David S’ type of ignorance).
You know both America and Australia should be beacons of assimilation to us all. Of course there are difficulties and challenges that are being overcome – but that’s life. There is good and bad in all populations – our own included. What fixes problems is a positive , inclusive embracing attitude. That’s the oppositite of what you (and David S) have.
Fergus,
I’m very aware on what happened in Ireland over the years thank you.
I’m first and foremost a monoculturalist because if you spent as long as I did in that romantic view you have of everyone holding hands and singing…….. you are more mistaken than me.
The UK in reality is anything but inclusive: It is incredibly segregated and most if not all the regular Cricket Clubs close to me are fielded entirely by one community group.
I dislike the United Kingdom for its utter hypocrisy, it pretends that it cares for all its former colonial children but it doesn’t care one iota about them. If they assisted the colonies they robbed and pillaged for so long by getting them back on their feet, that would show they really care.
I said previously when people found out I was Irish…… they looked at me like I was the scum of the earth and mimicked my accent……….. the latter only occurs now but I wouldn’t call that affectionate now would you?
They’ve only shifted their blame to the Muslims and other Asian Communities or the eastern europeans where in Greater Manchester: They firebomb the houses.
I know now that the viewpoint you hold is well-meaning but doomed to failure, I speak as a former member of the minority.
When you get punched or kicked in the face for looking or sounding different, then it when you realise that Live and Let Live only goes so far.
Non-Indigenous Minority groups have never been treated well by any state in europe throughout history.
When you realise that is upto you.
I have nothing more to say…………… there is no point whatsoever continuing this arguement because until you experience the prejudice of what these migrants are going through yourself……. it is like trying to build a Castle of Sand.
Do remember that The British people never had a voice to decide on whether they wanted MultiCulturalism, most then and now would’ve have said no – We did and most of us overwhelmingly didn’t want it either.
The only place in the world your thoughts work is in America, but Ireland isn’t america. We can’t be this “Nation of Nations” because that country was founded upon by Immigrants who persecuted in later years the Diverse Native Populations…… that now live in reservations.
Hi David,
This wasnt the first time nor will it be the last that a Taoiseach delivers a speech in which he wants to make our links deeper with the diaspora and the countries that they live in. It has been ever thus since the year dot (1922 or so in this case).
Biffo may have been espousing one of your “pet suggestions” in recent years, to utilise and leverage the diaspora, but my thesis is that we have already played our diaspora card and continue to do so with good effect. All those MNC’s that had executives with just a hint of Irish DNA in them looked at Ireland and considered it. If they didnt have the DNA, Ireland wold not have featured on their radar at all. Granted, its not thee (emphasis) reason why they came here, but it certainly helped and was a clear catalyst.
The affluence of Irish diaspora in the US and elsewhere can be overstated, and conseqauently the opportunity. True, there are many millions of them, we all personally know many as well, but most, 99.9% of them, have zero influence on trade, on FDI decisions, etc. They are just trying to get by in their new land. Discuss with any 1980′s emigrant to the US from our shores and you will see just how little they an influence trade, or indeed consume Irish ‘product’. With the recent fall in the last few years of the USD to the EUR, they are even holidaying back in the homeland less frequently due to cost. And the chances for many to come home and bring back knowledge or entrepreneurship have lessened with property price increases in the auld sod.
Biffo, in this case by delivering the usual ‘closer ties’ line, does not speak for me, nor for you ….
MK
From remote Argentina I try to read and understand every message posted here and for a few exceptions I personally feel that they do not represent the true feelings of Argentine Irish descents. I feel that WE, most of us third or fourth generation of Irish born, are more interested in heritage, roots and preservation of Irish culture, than in trade, taxes, money or consumption. I feel and I think, here, being and Irish and Argentine Citizen, that WE are the Irish Tribe to whom David is referring.
I do not read many messages defending those who are aware in preserving the Irish culture. I read most of them are worried if those allowed to acquire Irish Citizenship are going to represent money to Ireland.
I think because globalization and if continuing the policies of being interested only in people that may report money (may be Irish American), living in Ireland or being an Irish will be just a remembrance, because will be the same that living in any place of the world.
Ireland will lose it’s identity.
Sorry, I feel and think so. I love Ireland because it is Ireland, no other interest. I was lucky enough to visit Ireland twice in my life. The old house is still standing and as it is hard for me to understand those who just speak about taxes or money, for sure will be hard for many of you to understand how much WE, Argentine Irish descents feel Ireland in our hearts and minds, just for being proud of our roots and heritage.
Try to understand what I am saying and to those who respond I just ask not to be aggressive if they do not agree with me.
My English is not good enough to understand and respond everything.
For f*ck sake Patricia- Argentinians are latino and hispanic in origin, how the hell….can anyone of you be even remotely Irish- in culture, habits, manners or looks. Take for instance we Irish are of Celtic stock- I for one have green eyes and light brown hair. My sister and mother have blue eyes and light brown hair, my dad has black hair and green eyes. You see that diversity? You don’t have that in Latino nations like Argentina/Brazil/Mexico/Spain/France/Italy……….etc. They all look the same- i.e. not quite white swarthy skin, black/brown eyes, black/dark brown hair. In fact nobody in those countries has any from the following list…..blue/green/grey eyes…or….blonde/red/light brown hair. SO HOW THE HELL CAN AN ARGENTINIAN BE REMOTELY IRISH WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT HISPANICS LIKE THE SPANIARDS- WE ARE CELTICCCCCCCCCCCCCC- THERE ARE NO BLOOMIN CELTIC LOOKING PEOPLE IN ARGENTINA.
And let me ask you this- don’t you have loyalty expectations and national pride and devoltion TO YOUR OWN F*CKING COUNTRY??? Evita…..Maradona…..etc etc. There is no such thing as a person of two nationalities- despite what liberals in countries like America, Canada (soviet Kanuchstan according to one Patrick Buchanan, an author you need to read up on), Australia (a very annoying country with neighbors/home and away) and appartently your Argentina (which I actually thought had a national identity and race unlike the pathetic inter-breeding mongrels of North America and Australia)…..might say to the latter. GET OVER IT- PEOPLE ARE JUST LAUGHING AT YOU WHILE TAKING YOUR TOURIST CHING-CHING$$€€€.
Its absolutely pathetic, I understand the harshness for the first immigrants leaving home from Old world countries forever never to return and for some relieve in the form of irish pubs/ celebrations in new world countries for instance- but after the second generation the hatchet should have been buried, its a grave insult to live in ANY nation be it Old World/one race nation Ireland….or New World/Interbreed nations like Argentina/USA….and STILL claim a dual-nationality (which is effectively what people who put hypens in their identities are doing), and it just gets tired and silly after the 2nd generation removed NEVER MIND THE 5TH OR F*CKING 10TH. GETTTTTTT F*CKINNGGGGG OVER ITTTTTTTT YOURRRRR NOTTTTTTTTTTT IRISHHHHHHHH.
As for an ealier comment by a fellow RACIAL Irishman about having influence throught a “diaspora”- absolute crap. These people have no power beyond their own NATION STATES (thats for all you who don’t seem to understand the concept of nationhood)- so are useless. And we would have to set up something called the Irish Empire and make these people in FOREIGN countries “subjects” or a Dublin-based empire. Would Mr.Cowen be willing to become emperor perhaps? Is he not content with the humble position of been taoiseach of our wonderful little green island? Is this a “panini” (f*ckin yuppies) in place of the irish breakfast?. There are 4 million Irish people, 40 million Argentinians, 300 million Americans- NO HALF AND HALFS. Anyways the women in those countries are absolute sl*ts and feminists- keep them we’re they are….lets put an equilvalent tariff to protect the good old kind Irish mammy. Adios now omegos
For f*ck sake Patricia- Argentinians are latino and hispanic in origin, how the hell….can anyone of you be even remotely Irish- in culture, habits, manners or looks. Take for instance we Irish are of Celtic stock- I for one have green eyes and light brown hair. My sister and mother have blue eyes and light brown hair, my dad has black hair and green eyes. You see that diversity? You don’t have that in Latino nations like Argentina/Brazil/Mexico/Spain/France/Italy……….etc. They all look the same- i.e. not quite white swarthy skin, black/brown eyes, black/dark brown hair. In fact nobody in those countries has any from the following list…..blue/green/grey eyes…or….blonde/red/light brown hair. SO HOW THE HELL CAN AN ARGENTINIAN BE REMOTELY IRISH WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT HISPANICS LIKE THE SPANIARDS- WE ARE CELTICCCCCCCCCCCCCC- THERE ARE NO BLOOMIN CELTIC LOOKING PEOPLE IN ARGENTINA.
And let me ask you this- don’t you have loyalty expectations and national pride and devoltion TO YOUR OWN F*CKING COUNTRY??? Evita…..Maradona…..etc etc. There is no such thing as a person of two nationalities- despite what liberals in countries like America, Canada (soviet Kanuchstan according to one Patrick Buchanan, an author you need to read up on), Australia (a very annoying country with neighbors/home and away) and appartently your Argentina (which I actually thought had a national identity and race unlike the pathetic inter-breeding mongrels of North America and Australia)…..might say to the latter. GET OVER IT- PEOPLE ARE JUST LAUGHING AT YOU WHILE TAKING YOUR TOURIST CHING-CHING$$€€€.
Its absolutely pathetic, I understand the harshness for the first immigrants leaving home from Old world countries forever never to return and for some relieve in the form of irish pubs/ celebrations in new world countries for instance- but after the second generation the hatchet should have been buried, its a grave insult to live in ANY nation be it Old World/one race nation Ireland….or New World/Interbreed nations like Argentina/USA….and STILL claim a dual-nationality (which is effectively what people who put hypens in their identities are doing), and it just gets tired and silly after the 2nd generation removed NEVER MIND THE 5TH OR F*CKING 10TH. GETTTTTTT F*CKINNGGGGG OVER ITTTTTTTT YOURRRRR NOTTTTTTTTTTT IRISHHHHHHHH.
As for an ealier comment by a fellow RACIAL Irishman about having influence throught a “diaspora”- absolute crap. These people have no power beyond their own NATION STATES (thats for all you who don’t seem to understand the concept of nationhood)- so are useless. And we would have to set up something called the Irish Empire and make these people in FOREIGN countries “subjects” or a Dublin-based empire. Would Mr.Cowen be willing to become emperor perhaps? Is he not content with the humble position of been taoiseach of our wonderful little green island? Is this a “panini” (f*ckin yuppies) in place of the irish breakfast?. There are 4 million Irish people, 40 million Argentinians, 300 million Americans- NO HALF AND HALFS. Anyways the women in those countries are absolute sl*ts and feminists- keep them we’re they are….lets put an equilvalent tariff to protect the good old kind Irish mammy. Adios now omegos
Patricia I agree 100% with your post.
I’d just like to say I think that David S’s comments are stupid, ignorant and offensive.
Thanks Patricia
…for exposing “David S” as the freak he REALLY IS.
You be who you want to be…..I am very proud of all Irish conections (except for any connection with David S or the Observer types).
I gave up answering this column when I saw that it was full of negative xenophobes – David McW highllights this in one of his later articles.
There is a vein of ignorance and intolerance and self righteousness in this country , and now that the Church are gone they have to aspire to being civil servants, not priests.
David S – only reason your family look alike is all the interbreeding. The lack of cogent intelligent argument indicates a subnormal intelligence.
I am forwarding you email to Colin Farrell, Phil Lynott’s and Samantha Mumba’s family – they will want to make sure that their offspring don’t mate with yours. They are too good looking anyway – they’d barf at first sight of you.
It’s obvious that life has dealt you a raw deal – you’ve such a chip on shoulder. Bet you failed to get even a cuddle in Australia eh ? They don’t go for 4 foot sub intelligent chimps eh ?
Fergus
Thank you Garry and Fergus.
I think lot of the people will agree with us.
I also agree 100% with you both.
It´s a pity some people can not think different preserving good manners.
Thanks God, people has the right to think and to be different, no matter where they live, where they were born or the colour of their eyes or hair.
All my love to all the “different” but well educated people.
PRESERVING GOOD MANNERS? Excuse me now misses- but I have the deepest respect when it comes to dealing with people. UNLIKE arrogant rude noisy smelly latinos.
Fergus/Garry a bunch of lickarses- bet your a bunch of west brits anti-rural Ireland pissheads who want to flood the country with immigrants packis/blacks/half of Eastern Europe and some retard “diaspora” so you can cut out rural Ireland from the political scene. Long may we remain a conservative little island- and hopefully may we return to self-sufficiency- and send these people home, WE CANNOT HANDLE 100,000 NEVER MIND MILLIONS.
The day you Jackeens and D4ites get the greatest kick up your f*cking arses the better for us all- your running our wonderful little nation and race into the ground. TRAITORS.
Btw patricia go back to commie latin american cafe (not pubs- your not irish)- and fart out all your chilli con carni among your smelly mongrel race hispanic friends. Fergus McKellen= lickarse, traitor, west brit
Really overwhelmed. Hard to believe!
My English is poor but my education is good.
First of All, I resent any cheap remarks that Fergus decides to throw at me for no justified reason.
He assumes that since he hasn’t lived outside of Ireland for a long time Like I once did he thinks…….. that a former expatriate’s observations are not worthy of any notice……. he thinks that a person who warns his countrymen of the pure and utter failure that is MultiCulturalism/Cultural Diversity that the rest of europe has pursued in vain and resulted in disappointment for all the citizens whose government seem no longer seem to care about.
I apologise Patricia if you have been subjected to any offensive/ hostile comments on this thread…….. I am a MonoCulturalist but one who is more appreciative of the Diaspora!
(which the man above chooses to ignore completely- He probably is ashamed of Ireland’s National Identity and accuses anyone who disagrees with him a bigot! I wouldn’t be suprised he has lived outside of Ireland e.g. Kensington, London and no idea/sense of hardship which I had to put up with!)
Also Patricia, I would happily welcome the Irish Descendants from where you come from in Argentina………. I would feel nothing but pride to count your group amongst the population……… I’d welcome anyone of the Diaspora here as long as they have strong cultural & Ancestral ties to Ireland unlike some people on the thread above who completely ignore worthy people like yourselves who have a greater right to be in Ireland but would allow………. Any Tom, Dick & Harry into Ireland that is willing to work longer hours and less pay with no link what so ever to the state.
David S I think has forgotten that Hispanics are Celtic in Origin hence I have seen the name CELTA mentioned from time to Time in Spanish media or sport.
You need only look at Eamon DeValera……… He wasn’t 100% Irish but he was certainly a Celt through and through if you take a look at his ancestry in depth.
My, my, such an agressive correspondence between you lot. David S, I feel that I was like you in my early 20′s. Eventually, after travelling the world for 16 years I grew up and matured and as some of your elder brethern are saying, that maturity will come in time. In the meantime-keep up the good work. Remember that we are all one and we are all here to help one another and together we will get there. We are all human beings and we have no control over the place where we are born and labelling human beings as from this place or that place causes ‘subdivision’ of the only thing there is and that is the human race. If we realised this our understanding at a deeper level would help to eliminate much of the controvosy being experienced in the world today if only we would listen more and help one another more. There is plenty of room for ideas, opinions and points of view or belief but do not turn these differences of opinions into ‘divisions’. We will agree to disagree. Freedom of expression and opinions are fundamental rights. As regards self sufficiency, the formula, Functionality, Adaptability, Sustainabilty should work well here and solve most ‘problems’. For example, industry relies currently on oil, that is, it functions on oil to keep it going, When that commodity expires, industry must adapt to new technologies (perhaps hydrogen fuel extracted from water) to continue sustaining itself, whereby we continue to be self sufficient. However, the beaurecrats in Brussels do not want you to be self-sufficient. They want you to interdependant on other countries and there are many examples of this, too numerous to mention. This is why we hear the political ‘catch-phrases’ of today of ‘Privatisation’ and ‘Globalisation’.
You mentioned earlier (David S) about reading some books. May I respectfully recommend to you and the above correspondents to read the wonderful books ‘Conversations with God’ which had a profound impact on my life and my world viewpoints. If the recommendations in these books were implemeted, I believe you would truly have your ‘Heaven on Earth’. The author is Neale Donald Walsch or visit the website at http://www.cwg.org for more. I have enjoyed your viewpoints and I hope my contribution is of some assistance.
David McW;
Can we please block this “David S” guy from writing on this site? It’s bringing down the level of debate to that of The Sun and frankly putting me off coming back to read your articles and other’s comments.I am all for free expression but even that should have it’s limits at times. He is just ranting. Guy obviously has a major chip on his shoulder or alternatively is just purposely trying to rant for ranting’s sake. I suspect the latter. Thx
My, my, such an agressive correspondence between you lot. David S, I feel that I was like you in my early 20′s. Eventually, after travelling the world for 16 years I grew up and matured and as some of your elder brethern are saying, that maturity will come in time. In the meantime-keep up the good work. Remember that we are all one and we are all here to help one another and together we will get there. We are all human beings and we have no control over the place where we are born and labelling human beings as from this place or that place causes ‘subdivision’ of the only thing there is and that is the human race. If we realised this our understanding at a deeper level would help to eliminate much of the controvosy being experienced in the world today if only we would listen more and help one another more. There is plenty of room for ideas, opinions and points of view or belief but do not turn these differences of opinions into ‘divisions’. We will agree to disagree. Freedom of expression and opinions are fundamental rights. As regards self sufficiency, the formula, Functionality, Adaptability, Sustainabilty should work well here and solve most ‘problems’. For example, industry relies currently on oil, that is, it functions on oil to keep it going, When that commodity expires, industry must adapt to new technologies (perhaps hydrogen fuel extracted from water) to continue sustaining itself, whereby we continue to be self sufficient. However, the beaurecrats in Brussels do not want you to be self-sufficient. They want you to become interdependant on other countries and there are many examples of this, too numerous to mention. This is why we hear the political ‘catch-phrases’ of today of ‘Privatisation’ and ‘Globalisation’.
You mentioned earlier (David S) about reading some books. May I respectfully recommend to you and the above correspondents to read the wonderful books ‘Conversations with God’ which had a profound impact on my life and my world viewpoints. If the recommendations in these books were implemeted, I believe you would truly have your ‘Heaven on Earth’. The author is Neale Donald Walsch or visit the website at http://www.cwg.org for more. I have enjoyed your viewpoints and I hope my contribution is of some assistance.
David Russell- I too respect your opinions. However, I think you are been naive when you say we are all one. That is certainly not what China has in mind, when it uses a global system to its own advantage at the expense of the west. China is rising after its long post-1840s decline, which ended the ancient and poweful 4000-5000 year old empire. However don’t convince yourself that this will be benign- China is know ruled by a dangerous Maoist communist dictatorship responsible for the death of hundreds of millions of people. The second period of Chinese world power will not be safe like the old emperor and empire was. Same goes for India. Don’t get me wrong- the Indians are among the most peaceful people on earth, but they too like the Chinese are using global systems to exploit western countries to its own advantage- just like what will happen to Ireland eventually. These ancient and gigantic nations of 1.3 billion and 1.1 billion are building themselves up to their former powers as empires, however it is one thing if it was by their own doing and by peaceful means- and not to the disadvantage of western nations like Ireland. Then again who can blame them? The system is set up by naive western elites who seem to believe they can create some naive utopia- whereas China and India are laughing at us while they are rebuilding their empires and riches.
David S
I am appalled at your attitude. I spoke up for you earlier as I believed you were trying to get a decent economic argument across and that you just lacked the vocabulary to articulate it through.
However your subsequent comments are down right offensive, paranoid and inhumane. Your economic opinion seems to be a by-product of your deeper abhorrence towards people that aren’t from the same background as yourself and you have used this forum as a channel to voice your deranged opinion.
This is not the place for your gibbering rants about your distain towards everything non-Irish. This is a forum for rounded economic debate, fiscal policy and balanced discussions on socio-economic consequences of any suggested policies. (Although you probably believe an apocalyptic ending is the only outcome on the socio-economic front hence your monologue).
Your comments would be better suited to some neo-nazi website.
Unless you want to apologise to that lady from Argentina, who under no circumstances deserved the comments you made towards her, withdraw your bigot opinions and get back to the actual debate, there is no place for you here.
Ok Joe i’m sorry I made you cry- and i’ll try avoiding causing you emotional distress, such as offending Argentinian people (i’ll move onto Brazilians now LOL). Ha ha no seriously, look after yourself Joe.
David S
Would you be as brave and outspoken if you were above on a stage with a live audience in front of you??
probably joe…yes probably. The more that the ordinary people hear the news the elites are keeping from them the better.
I still don’t understand why your getting offended, because I was aiming it at latinos who think their Irish- everybody would laugh if somebody with a hispanic accent, dark skin and a name like Hernandez told them he was Irish. Plus if we are to make this country into a self-sufficient high-tech producing nation, Argentinians can never come in handy because most of them work at picking beans.
David S, Sure anyways if we are to make this country into a self-sufficient high-tech producing nation, culchies can never come in handy because most of them work at picking potatoes.
Garry?…..Gary..that is the name isn’t it?? I could have sworn the spirit of Charles Trevelyan managed to get its hand on a computer- back to blast the old potatoe picking “paddies” (a term also used by Western Briton Englishmen like yourself from the satety of your antique chair in your big €3 million mansion in the Ballsbridge/Sandymount vicinity.
What is it with di*kheads like you that hate our country so much- that you think we should be flooded by immigrants to teach us how to be more sophisicated, liberal lefty, yuppy urban, panini eating, pink shirt wearing, multicultural bunch- just like the Poles who accept us into their country? Oh wait they don’t- to put it in plain english, YOU PLONKER- no i’m not Del boy, just a pissed off “culchie”
All I did was take the last sentence from your post (just before mine) replaced Argentinians and beans with culchies and potatoes…. and see if I got a reaction…
So it offended you, Daithi?… Good! Maybe now you can see how your posts offend other readers here….Theres no call for offending anyone least of all those overseas whose ancestry is Irish.
Just an aside, I remember watching the world cup final in 1978 when Argentina won… there was a guy — I think his name was Brown — the commentator kept saying he was of Irish descent. As an young boy, I was very proud that we had an someone playing in the World Cup final… At the time we had no hope of even qualifying. To this day I like to see Argentina doing well in and keep an eye out on their team sheet.
oh, and by the way I’m a culchie, though I haven’t had to pick spuds or cut turf in years… I spent my childhood at it… now that was hard work!
Oiche maith!
Sorry if that comment offended you but I just couldn’t resist winding you up
now now garry I never said I was offended- I was only pointing out that west brits (which you probably are- your just saying that your a culchie to pretend your one of us barbarian savages out beyond the pale)….like you were using immigration to dilute this nation, so that a despited minority of west brits would finally get to run the country (which they don’t stand a chance of doing- D4 heads such as Gormley, David Norris etc)….and purge it of it the “sinful” and embrassing Irishness- something high-faluting, wealthy west brits like you are mortified over when you bring your posh London friends over to visit our country and the sheer digust at the rather dirty old irish habits. Btw I bet you talk like Stephen Fry out of them twinnings ad- you almost know a west brit when you here one
yeah Daithi, thats the dream…. I haven’t got the Stephen Fry accent down yet but the elocution lessons with Alan Stanford are going well. I can almost say “Thirty three” properly now while eating a cucumber sandwich and not be too embarrassed in front of my super sophisticated new friends.
So now would you ever f*** off with your your flasks of milky tay and hang sangwiches and get with the program, its simply dreadful that our continental visitors are exposed to such backwardness.
well if our European visitors don’t like it here – they can f*ck off home can’t they. Do I go over to their countries and take their jobs, change their cultures, and then even have the NERVE to criticise it. In your west brit Europhile opinion- foreigners and blow ins should have more rights than down-to-earth hard-working country folk. Getting back to our European visitors and blow ins- nobody is forcing them to come here, after all why are they here in the first place- as we are an island (thankfully) hundreds of miles from all them crazy countries in Europe. No to Europe and Europeans- yes to Ireland and the Irish. OUR NATION ONCE AGAIN….O-O-U-R-R NATION ONCE AGAIN
anyways don’t worry garry we the ordinary people of Ireland will chase the feckers into the Irish sea with our hurleys (no guns- we’re not killers) if the government and the elites don’t get their act together OUR NATON ONCE AGAIN…..FREEDOOMMMMM
Errr David S…
It’s “A” nation once again – not “our” nation.
Joe and Garry – this guy is just a “know nothing” petulant pubescent. With a name like “David” his parents are obviously “west brit” wannabes just like the folk he is clumsily trying to put down. But they didn’t make it – hence the chip on shoulder.
Let’s do ourselves a favour and ignore the guy. Let’s treat him with the disdain he deserves. He will eventually have to change his i/d (and attitude)in order to be taken seriously on this website. He just craves attention – and he’ll adopt any contrarian, ignorant & ill informed position to achieve it – so let’s take the attention away from him.
bye bye David
fergus mclellan- i’m aware the song is entitled ‘a nation once again’, I was merely replacing the “a” with “our” to make a point that when we feck out all the spongers and invaders from Europe that elite liberals like you want to invite into our country to destroy our ancient and celtic nation…that it will be OUR nation once again- not owned by Washington, Brussels, Tel Aviv,
or London (the west brits biggest dream). oh and fergus mclellan you are aware that you have responded on this blog as much times as myself- in fact your the one who started this argument, I was merely voicing my opinion, until I got attacked by unpatriotic people like you. Oh and btw Fergus free trade and globalism got another blow today- “diageo” is been taken on by our nations brave and hard working farmers and Padraig Walsh. The diageo globalists want to make barley cheaper for their porter, put the farmers are rightfully telling them to feck off. The IFA are hereos and selfless patriots- and are standing up for this countries interests- unlike selfish careless people like you in your big D4 mansion out to spite the rest of us with your foreign way of thinking on the rest of us ordinary descent salt-of-the-earth Irishmen and women. Globalists and elitists like you are finnally getting their come-upings, if it weren’t for our brave farmers and their protest against the evil Peter Mandelson- this country could have been destroyed. You know what fergus- I would love for a load of massey fergusons with big mucky weals to plough the shite out of “Georgian” (aka west brit haven) square St Stephens green and teach you city slicker elitists how to grow your own food- seen as globalists like you hate the rest of us, including our hard working farmers who ask for nothing but a descent wage. Shame on Fergus- tut tut…..people like you are Judas