National Forum

The GAA And "Northern Ireland"

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "100% agree. Which is why the GAA need to start showing some leadership and start calling Northern Ireland and stop the nonsense they continue to go with. If that offends the sensitivities of the back woods men .... we'll that wouldn't be any harm. Leave them there fighting the battles of the past in their small minds."
I've no small mind. You just don't know what you're talking about.

Really winds my neck when a Southern person thinks they understand and know what help everyone up North if only they weren't petty fools. Well we're not all petty fools.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4545 - 17/04/2021 19:49:53    2337574

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There appears to be a simplistic view by many on here that if there is a catholic majority in Northern Ireland, that will lead to independence. That is false. Most middle class catholics thar I know up there would not support such a move & won't not vote in favour of a unification. And as someone living in the border for most of my life, there are many in the republic in border areas who would not be in favour of such a move. The reality is that culturally there is a significant difference between those of us in the republic & those in the north of Ireland, and I am speaking of catholic communities here I am sure that many romantics don't like to hear this but that is the reality.

P.Mckenna (Louth) - Posts: 105 - 17/04/2021 20:07:58    2337578

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Rubbish. The vast majority of people don't recognise that name, unlike the democratically accepted state of Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland was created on a sectarian headcount by the British Government, against the wishes of the majority in Ireland. The 6 counties, contained a Unioinist majority, 9 counties would have a nationalist majority, less than 6 would be unviable. For 50 years unionists practised discrimination, and gerrymandering against the Catholic community, with the UK government oblivious to the practice.
In 1968 it blew out in their faces, and it took 30 years to bring about a society, where all were treated equally. There are a few who oppose any semblance of normality still, try DUP, TUV, UFF etc.
The GAA are a 32 county organisation who ignore the border, and whose members north of it, kept the games alive in the face of opposition, insults, intimidation and death. I have no problem with that.

There are more important things to occupy your mind presently than some linguistic argument over GAA language.

MicktheMiller (Offaly) - Posts: 421 - 17/04/2021 20:36:19    2337581

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "They're giving disrespect to democracy. Enough of this rubbish about occupation. Wise up. People all over Ireland voted for it twice. Northern Ireland is in the UK."
Ah now "disrespectful of democracy" is sensationalising it, I couldn't care less if someone called it the North of Ireland or Northern Ireland it's Ireland to me. Now I'm sorry to tell you 6 counties in Ulster are under foreign occupation that might be an inconvenient fact for yourself even articles 2 and 3 of the Irish constitution layed claim to this before it was amended in 2000(I think) so wise up yourself.

Now If we are getting to an United Ireland argument, I'm in favour purely for patriotic reasons. But I also know it comes down to what the population of the North want and not to listen to the DUP or Sinn Fein on what's best for them.

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 17/04/2021 20:36:53    2337582

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Replying To MesAmis:  "So that's what is annoying you?

The GAA can use whatever language they like as long as it is clear and understandable.

If even the likes of yourself understood them then I think they're doing OK.

Some people don't use the term Northern Ireland, some do. Get over yourself."
Ah stop will you ... surely you can see a problem with this (in terms of community reconciliation etc.) you sound like one of gobsheens from Sinn Fein.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1584 - 17/04/2021 20:41:52    2337583

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Replying To royaldunne:  "This I agree with. I believe the gaa should lead the way in in reaching out. The east Belfast club (think that's where it is ) is a prime example. The gaa should not and never should be again a vehicle for division in our country."
Fair point but the GAA should never forget it's traditions and where it came from it either, there is a balance. They are some up north that would get offended by the sight of a hurley or an O'Neill's top even.

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 17/04/2021 20:47:40    2337586

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Replying To Greengrass:  "You're equating The GAA with The IRA. Seriously? You really need to got out more."
It's not today or yesterday Loyalists have called the GAA the "Sporting wing of the IRA"

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 17/04/2021 20:52:03    2337587

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Replying To omahant:  "Complex issues often require elaborate solutions - what's your simple solution for NI ?"
Simply follow the GFA. Overwhelming majority voted for it. So organisations like the GAA need to stop playing to a gallery of rogues.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1584 - 17/04/2021 20:55:50    2337589

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Replying To Saynothing:  "I take it by that statement you weren't at the unveiling of the statue to Kevin Barry in Rathvilly. He'd be turning in his grave. The NORTH of Ireland has enough boys like you in Jim Allister and the like. I thought you'd be watching the funeral instead of replying to posts. Keep taking the mints. From all in the North."
Typical still fighting the wars of yesteryear. The vast majority have successfully moved on and successive generations now accept the constitutional position as agreed by the vast majority including nationalists in Northern Ireland which meant recognition of Northern Ireland. The backwoodsmen can't bring themselves to utter the words Northern Ireland, in spite of its official and democratically mandated status, but they need to left there to die off and the GAA is foolish to be pandering to such idiots.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1584 - 17/04/2021 21:07:13    2337592

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Replying To SaffronDon:  "I think we were beyond reasonable discussion when you took issue with some of the struggles the St Endas club members had to endure (being murdered) during the height of the troubles for daring to play gaelic football/hurling. Some of your views are toxic and beyond any sort of moderate empathetic view for a supposed Irishman. Your decision, not mine.

As for voting, whatever will be will be, I can live with whatever decision we get. I gave you the breakdown of your version of the 60% which wasn't what you claimed it to be. The 11% still have to vote one way or the other. Loyalist intimidation of immigrants, who have a vote too, or anybody that has a different view to them won't help their cause in the long run though. Like I said earlier, I have many friends from a unionist background who I respect for their views on the union and id happily share a peaceful future with them whatever the decision. But if it goes the other way, calling the likes of yourself a fellow countryman is a lot less inspiring."
Haha. Where oh where did I write that. I'm sure like ur pathetic party you have that detail on my data ? Please point it to me ? No ? Ok then stop posting lies.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 17/04/2021 21:58:51    2337594

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Why are the GAA seemingly unable to issue a statement that includes the words "Northern Ireland" and thereby reflecting the democratic view of people across the entire island to recognise the existence of the state of Northern Ireland?

It was democratically recognised when the Treaty was democratically approved in 1921 and again when the Good Friday Agreement was voted on in 1998. Still the GAA, like the IRA, continue to act as if they refuse to recognise the state of Northern Ireland. They're happy enough to recognise the state when it comes accepting government grants.

Their linguistic gymnastics designed to avoid saying Northern Ireland are tiresome and irritating at this stage. Enough of "the North"."
Do Irish Rugby refer to it as Northern Ireland? maybe they do but I haven't heard!

ONdeDITCH (Limerick) - Posts: 873 - 17/04/2021 22:45:49    2337598

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "You need to look up democracy."
Democracy went out the window in the 1918 elections when the vast majority of Irish people. voted for an Irish republic which was Ignored by the British state.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 396 - 17/04/2021 22:57:20    2337599

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Replying To P.Mckenna:  "There appears to be a simplistic view by many on here that if there is a catholic majority in Northern Ireland, that will lead to independence. That is false. Most middle class catholics thar I know up there would not support such a move & won't not vote in favour of a unification. And as someone living in the border for most of my life, there are many in the republic in border areas who would not be in favour of such a move. The reality is that culturally there is a significant difference between those of us in the republic & those in the north of Ireland, and I am speaking of catholic communities here I am sure that many romantics don't like to hear this but that is the reality."
What cultural differences is there between southern Catholics and northern Catholics im genuinely intrigued.
I also live in border area and would 100% support reunification

GAAdundalk (Louth) - Posts: 641 - 17/04/2021 23:08:55    2337603

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "They're giving disrespect to democracy. Enough of this rubbish about occupation. Wise up. People all over Ireland voted for it twice. Northern Ireland is in the UK."
Democracy? Really? Democracy didnt occur when Ireland was illegally occupied and conquered by the English. Why should it be relevant in a sporting body?
Democracy only applied when it suits certain agendas.

GAAdundalk (Louth) - Posts: 641 - 17/04/2021 23:12:31    2337604

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Why are the GAA seemingly unable to issue a statement that includes the words "Northern Ireland" and thereby reflecting the democratic view of people across the entire island to recognise the existence of the state of Northern Ireland?

It was democratically recognised when the Treaty was democratically approved in 1921 and again when the Good Friday Agreement was voted on in 1998. Still the GAA, like the IRA, continue to act as if they refuse to recognise the state of Northern Ireland. They're happy enough to recognise the state when it comes accepting government grants.

Their linguistic gymnastics designed to avoid saying Northern Ireland are tiresome and irritating at this stage. Enough of "the North"."
Let's just be clear....the ruling party up NORTH didn't vote yes for the GFA agreement
.......

So just let that sink in.

And here you are getting all worked up over the words... The North.

Which is where it is

GAAdundalk (Louth) - Posts: 641 - 17/04/2021 23:20:36    2337605

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As a poster Onion Breath always came across as someone that pushed out promoted and supported Carlow gaa to the limit in his postings. His latest post certainly rattled a few cages here, none more so than a couple of established posters with their usual own style of linguistic verbal's, you could almost see the stress lines appearing in their reply's making contributions to hot topics like this is counterproductive or at least can be all stemming from asking a simple question.

KillingFields might have had a field day here if he wasn't expecting green thumbs.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3184 - 17/04/2021 23:43:00    2337606

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Typical still fighting the wars of yesteryear. The vast majority have successfully moved on and successive generations now accept the constitutional position as agreed by the vast majority including nationalists in Northern Ireland which meant recognition of Northern Ireland. The backwoodsmen can't bring themselves to utter the words Northern Ireland, in spite of its official and democratically mandated status, but they need to left there to die off and the GAA is foolish to be pandering to such idiots."
Are you our Royal correspondent in disguise? Statement right up his street. You talk about ni, that great they don't even have an national anthem. Scotland have 1, Wales have 1, England have 1 and Ireland has 1. Loyalists are a joke and they don't like the fact that Nationalists don't take their crap anymore. GAA is what kept Nationalists going through the years and always will. Great to see Jim Allister, Gregory Campbell and the like raging like a bull at the thought of Nationalists getting a bit of fairness. Love it . Keep taking your mints.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2307 - 18/04/2021 00:00:42    2337607

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Why are the GAA seemingly unable to issue a statement that includes the words "Northern Ireland" and thereby reflecting the democratic view of people across the entire island to recognise the existence of the state of Northern Ireland?

It was democratically recognised when the Treaty was democratically approved in 1921 and again when the Good Friday Agreement was voted on in 1998. Still the GAA, like the IRA, continue to act as if they refuse to recognise the state of Northern Ireland. They're happy enough to recognise the state when it comes accepting government grants.

Their linguistic gymnastics designed to avoid saying Northern Ireland are tiresome and irritating at this stage. Enough of "the North"."
Bring back the red thumbs just for this comment,

cityman73 (Limerick) - Posts: 783 - 18/04/2021 08:07:59    2337615

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Typical still fighting the wars of yesteryear. The vast majority have successfully moved on and successive generations now accept the constitutional position as agreed by the vast majority including nationalists in Northern Ireland which meant recognition of Northern Ireland. The backwoodsmen can't bring themselves to utter the words Northern Ireland, in spite of its official and democratically mandated status, but they need to left there to die off and the GAA is foolish to be pandering to such idiots."
Democratically mandated? Could you point out to me when Northern Ireland was democratically mandated?

The GFA referendum was not such a mandate. The question asked was "Do you support the agreement reached at the multi-party talks on Northern Ireland". It is certainly a stretch to say this means Northern Ireland has been democratically mandated. It was a vote to end a violent conflict.

You don't have to be a backwoodsman or be fighting the wars of yesteryear to think that the partition of Ireland created, in Connolly's words 'a carnival of reaction' on both sides of the border that has warped political and social development in both states to this day.

London125 (UK) - Posts: 55 - 18/04/2021 08:20:05    2337616

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Replying To P.Mckenna:  "There appears to be a simplistic view by many on here that if there is a catholic majority in Northern Ireland, that will lead to independence. That is false. Most middle class catholics thar I know up there would not support such a move & won't not vote in favour of a unification. And as someone living in the border for most of my life, there are many in the republic in border areas who would not be in favour of such a move. The reality is that culturally there is a significant difference between those of us in the republic & those in the north of Ireland, and I am speaking of catholic communities here I am sure that many romantics don't like to hear this but that is the reality."
There are significant cultural differences in most countries, the north and south of England for example are like two different countries.

The economic differences, sport in some cases (Rugby league and Rugby Union), different way language is used, personalities etc are all significantly different - It's the same in the US, Australia so it certainly wouldn't and isn't any different in Ireland.

I hear your point, but there would be similar culture amongst people directly either side of the Border - Louth or to be more specific Omeath for example would have more in common with Down folk than they would have with Cork or Waterford, that is just common sense.

The world has changed and is changing - there are extremes on every side and I suspect even in the Republic some extremes don't want change. It's the pragmatic people, doesn't have to be middle class people although they're key who'd react to circumstances. An overall majority will ultimately decide, but I wouldn't drill it out to "Catholics and Protestant's" as that is too simple.

It's more likely there won't be a UK in ten years as Scotland drive towards independence and the reason for Brexit starts to shine through (English Nationalism). At that stage Westminister have a decision on Wales and NI, politically many in England will realise NI provides no votes and no benefit to the new politics of the day. When pragmatic, middle class people in NI are presented with an entry back into the EU, an All Ireland economy and some form of political compromise for NI (Federal system maybe) added to tbe fact a new "England" is taking shape then I think things will naturally fall into place.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 18/04/2021 09:04:15    2337617

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