National Forum

GAA Should Campaign For A United Ireland.

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Replying To Cavan_Shambles:  "The south has moved on in many ways, we are now a multi cultural, Liberal, tolerant and vibrant society. For many people in our new Republic, the concept of patriotism and nationalism simply doesn't register with them, particularly the youth who have no real interest in the idea of a unified Ireland, and see themselves as Europeans in this new era of globalisation.

So the supporters of a unified Ireland will have to push very hard to get people thinking about the issue, sheer sentiment isn't going to cut it, nor will a romantic notion of four green fields.

Just because the GAA is a cultural nationalist organisation doesn't equate to supporting irish unity either. I believe a lot of people would be very shocked at the results of a border poll in the south. I suspect it would pass, but not by as much as people may expect."
Nonsense to say that most young people see themselves as European. In nearly every European country, national identity is greater than European identity. One of the main reasons the European model is under threat is because a few want to remove national identity & have autocratic control over national parliaments. Irelands own Peter Sutherland was one of the chief architects in drafting change to remove national identity in Europe, lots of stuff online on what they want to achieve. If we don't have national identity we have nothing, we might as well all be robots. I am Irish, I don't identify as being European. We will soon see how much Europe & Claude Juncker cherish us, when they will sacrifice us & do a deal with Britain, that will see Irish farming destroyed overnight & the Irish economy plunged back into recession. Lots of people with short memories on how Europe & Juncker threw us under the bus despite all the promises on banking debt. Europe are great at talking about ethnic minorities but they don't want people having or standing for national identity, forked tongue merchants.

Uimhir.a.3. (Galway) - Posts: 409 - 13/03/2019 23:31:57    2172149

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Speaking about Sport and Politics, I would love to get the opinions of the "The Windsor Park Crowd" What would it take to get them on board with a united soccer team?

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1226 - 14/03/2019 09:34:17    2172173

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Replying To Mayonman:  "GAA would be better off trying to promote hurling in 32 counties!"
Great answer

PyatPree (Cork) - Posts: 376 - 14/03/2019 11:17:03    2172193

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Definitely the GAA should welcome a United Ireland if it is to happen. The GAA has been very inclusive and non-sectarian. It played a very minor part in The Good Friday Agreement by allowing British security forces members take part in the GAA, opening up Croke Park to soccer and rugby during the revamp of Lansdowne Road ( who would have thought 25 years ago God save Queen would be played in Croke Park for an English rugby team) and welcoming Queen Elizabeth to visit Croke Park in 2014. Ireland is a 32 county island and the GAA was set up to promote Irish national identity through sport, music and language and shouldn't reflect badly on them for welcoming a united Ireland.

Whether it happens or not remains to be seen it's up to the citizens in the North but it does happen I think myself the GAA, IRFU, FAI, IFA and other sporting organisations like hockey, basketball, boxing and athletics would have a big role to play in helping keep peace, sport has a great way of uniting people.

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 14/03/2019 12:49:58    2172209

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Yeah I'd agree that the GAA is non sectarian but it's not seen that way by the protestant community in Northern Ireland. Theres a tiny group of Protestants playing GAA and no clubs set up in predominantly Protestant areas by protestants. My mates down in Limerick who are protestant were always slow in playing hurling because of the hassle they'd get.A few played and got hassled by their own family and by the opposition. So the GAAs best bet would be to stay out of the debate ...

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 14/03/2019 13:32:17    2172220

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Replying To Uimhir.a.3.:  "Nonsense to say that most young people see themselves as European. In nearly every European country, national identity is greater than European identity. One of the main reasons the European model is under threat is because a few want to remove national identity & have autocratic control over national parliaments. Irelands own Peter Sutherland was one of the chief architects in drafting change to remove national identity in Europe, lots of stuff online on what they want to achieve. If we don't have national identity we have nothing, we might as well all be robots. I am Irish, I don't identify as being European. We will soon see how much Europe & Claude Juncker cherish us, when they will sacrifice us & do a deal with Britain, that will see Irish farming destroyed overnight & the Irish economy plunged back into recession. Lots of people with short memories on how Europe & Juncker threw us under the bus despite all the promises on banking debt. Europe are great at talking about ethnic minorities but they don't want people having or standing for national identity, forked tongue merchants."
"If we don't have national identity we have nothing, we might as well all be robots." - I can't understand that sentiment at all. What about our families, friends, jobs....county...anything that gives personal fulfillment. The 20th century is littered with the dead of Nationalistic crusades. Lets hope this century doesn't go the same way.

I hope your brexit analysis doesn't come true. I think we will be useful to EU for a long time yet, even in a post brexit world.

himachechy (Donegal) - Posts: 293 - 14/03/2019 13:51:33    2172224

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EU has been great for Ireland, most Irish people recognise that,
there will always be people that whinge. It is fantastic to have
access to a market of 600 million people. Our economy is strong
because of Europe and the U.S. We have come a long way since
U.K. domination of this country.

fainleog (Limerick) - Posts: 602 - 14/03/2019 15:00:33    2172232

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Replying To himachechy:  ""If we don't have national identity we have nothing, we might as well all be robots." - I can't understand that sentiment at all. What about our families, friends, jobs....county...anything that gives personal fulfillment. The 20th century is littered with the dead of Nationalistic crusades. Lets hope this century doesn't go the same way.

I hope your brexit analysis doesn't come true. I think we will be useful to EU for a long time yet, even in a post brexit world."
Sometimes it is right to fight. Although great suffering and many lives were lost it was precisely a nationalistic outlook that led good men to fight for their countries and face down tyrants. If they hadn't,and many Irishmen from both communities played their part,then I dread to think what kind of world we'd have now. It would be a European identity that I don't think we'd all be feeling very warm and fuzzy about that's for sure. Nothing at all wrong with pride in,and love for ones own nation and it's unique cultural and historical nuances. It's such a pretentious notion to think of oneself as European as if it were a tangible identity in its own right when you only have to see that we're a whole bunch of different cultural groups that tentatively have agreed to get along and have made it easier to do business with each other's multinational corporations and that's what the whole thing is all about. Making money with as little hassle as possible. It's only "sheeple" that go for the whole European nonsense. I certainly never self identify as such. If others want to fair enough.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 15/03/2019 03:29:26    2172318

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Replying To Uimhir.a.3.:  "Nonsense to say that most young people see themselves as European. In nearly every European country, national identity is greater than European identity. One of the main reasons the European model is under threat is because a few want to remove national identity & have autocratic control over national parliaments. Irelands own Peter Sutherland was one of the chief architects in drafting change to remove national identity in Europe, lots of stuff online on what they want to achieve. If we don't have national identity we have nothing, we might as well all be robots. I am Irish, I don't identify as being European. We will soon see how much Europe & Claude Juncker cherish us, when they will sacrifice us & do a deal with Britain, that will see Irish farming destroyed overnight & the Irish economy plunged back into recession. Lots of people with short memories on how Europe & Juncker threw us under the bus despite all the promises on banking debt. Europe are great at talking about ethnic minorities but they don't want people having or standing for national identity, forked tongue merchants."
Couldn't agree more. Well said.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 15/03/2019 03:31:58    2172319

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Replying To maroondiesel:  "Speaking about Sport and Politics, I would love to get the opinions of the "The Windsor Park Crowd" What would it take to get them on board with a united soccer team?"
It will never happen so long as there are 2 different soccer leagues/associations on the Island.

I don't see the 2 merging anytime soon either. Who is going to travel from e.g. Belfast to Cork for a match?

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 15/03/2019 10:30:49    2172350

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Replying To seanie_boy:  "Sometimes it is right to fight. Although great suffering and many lives were lost it was precisely a nationalistic outlook that led good men to fight for their countries and face down tyrants. If they hadn't,and many Irishmen from both communities played their part,then I dread to think what kind of world we'd have now. It would be a European identity that I don't think we'd all be feeling very warm and fuzzy about that's for sure. Nothing at all wrong with pride in,and love for ones own nation and it's unique cultural and historical nuances. It's such a pretentious notion to think of oneself as European as if it were a tangible identity in its own right when you only have to see that we're a whole bunch of different cultural groups that tentatively have agreed to get along and have made it easier to do business with each other's multinational corporations and that's what the whole thing is all about. Making money with as little hassle as possible. It's only "sheeple" that go for the whole European nonsense. I certainly never self identify as such. If others want to fair enough."
I think national identity can be extremely dangerous, we have learned that. With cost. And is there anything more worrying than waking up this morning and hearing of the terrible events in New Zealand all believing they do it for their national identity .

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 15/03/2019 16:28:50    2172413

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The Windsor Park crowd might say that we left them. The FAI left the IFA not the other way round. I think people are letting Brexit get the better of them. This nonsense of a border poll is devisive and isn't helpful. Its destabilising for everyone and in my opinion there is zero chance the two countries joining.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 15/03/2019 17:31:05    2172426

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Replying To bloodyban:  "Yeah I'd agree that the GAA is non sectarian but it's not seen that way by the protestant community in Northern Ireland. Theres a tiny group of Protestants playing GAA and no clubs set up in predominantly Protestant areas by protestants. My mates down in Limerick who are protestant were always slow in playing hurling because of the hassle they'd get.A few played and got hassled by their own family and by the opposition. So the GAAs best bet would be to stay out of the debate ..."
Well I know of quite a few Protestants in Wexford who supported or played hurling and it caused no problems. As a West Limerick man growing up I did not know a single Protestant, but I got to know quite a few when I married into a Wexford family. Many Protestants also took an active part in the Bi-Centenary Commemorations of the 1798 Rebellion in Wexford and there is no evidence they were hassled for this either. A recent publication 'Protestant and Irish' has a very interesting chapter devoted to Protestant involvement with the GAA both in Wexford and other areas in Ireland. It is well worth a read for any student of this topic

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4490 - 15/03/2019 23:53:29    2172494

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I think national identity can be extremely dangerous, we have learned that. With cost. And is there anything more worrying than waking up this morning and hearing of the terrible events in New Zealand all believing they do it for their national identity ."
The attack in New Zealand had nothing to do with national identity.

Uimhir.a.3. (Galway) - Posts: 409 - 16/03/2019 09:12:38    2172514

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Replying To Uimhir.a.3.:  "The attack in New Zealand had nothing to do with national identity."
No. But the gunman had a very sick view of national identity and hated immigrants. Thankfully a miniscule minority have opinions like his.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7982 - 16/03/2019 10:43:14    2172545

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "No. But the gunman had a very sick view of national identity and hated immigrants. Thankfully a miniscule minority have opinions like his."
The gunman was an immigrant.

fainleog (Limerick) - Posts: 602 - 16/03/2019 11:48:35    2172564

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Replying To Suas Sios:  "It will never happen so long as there are 2 different soccer leagues/associations on the Island.

I don't see the 2 merging anytime soon either. Who is going to travel from e.g. Belfast to Cork for a match?"
Having 2 national soccer associations on a small island is 1 of the reasons is why soccer never reached it potential in Ireland, I agree with you the 2 associations won't merge because of political bs but I think the league of Ireland and the NIFL should merge it would help to develop the game in Ireland. Fans will travel, Sligo, Derry and Dundalk already travel to Cork, Finn Harps brought a big crowd to the Marketsfield last October.

DUALSUPPORT (Limerick) - Posts: 1038 - 16/03/2019 12:54:35    2172585

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Replying To bloodyban:  "The Windsor Park crowd might say that we left them. The FAI left the IFA not the other way round. I think people are letting Brexit get the better of them. This nonsense of a border poll is devisive and isn't helpful. Its destabilising for everyone and in my opinion there is zero chance the two countries joining."
First bloodyban -it isnt two countries!!!!

As Justine McCarthy said in the Sunday Times on the 17/3/19= ' a united Ireland is not a luxury we cannot afford. It's a debt we owe and is long overdue.'


The questions must be asked , NOW is the time, It is obvious you have no interest in your fellow Irish man/woman , but for nearly 100 yrs we have been forgotten and ignored.... it cannot continue!!!!!

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1688 - 20/03/2019 13:23:02    2173932

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Replying To Uimhir.a.3.:  "The attack in New Zealand had nothing to do with national identity."
The POS in New Zealand wasn't from New Zealand, he was Australian. There's absolutely nothing wrong with National pride or identity. i have never identified as European, don't think i ever will. Ireland is a small island in the Atlantic that the big powers in the EU would back stab in a minute. The financial debacle is a good example. The Lisbon treaty is another.

cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 523 - 20/03/2019 19:46:26    2174031

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Replying To DUALSUPPORT:  "Having 2 national soccer associations on a small island is 1 of the reasons is why soccer never reached it potential in Ireland, I agree with you the 2 associations won't merge because of political bs but I think the league of Ireland and the NIFL should merge it would help to develop the game in Ireland. Fans will travel, Sligo, Derry and Dundalk already travel to Cork, Finn Harps brought a big crowd to the Marketsfield last October."
And I agree that it would make Irish soccer stronger if it was a single entity.

The attendances at Irish league games are not great these days except for certain fixtures.

If fans are travelling in good numbers down South then that is great to hear. From what I gather the standard is higher and moving to a Summer season has been a success.

The All Island rugby had the professional provinces model which worked well but soccer doesn't have that, plus we will probably always see the best young Irish players get hoovered up by Scotland and England's divisions.

This is why I don't dwell on the idea much .

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 20/03/2019 20:15:36    2174037

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