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I thought the quality of candidates for the presidential election is vey average to say the least. As a northern nationalist I would like someone who would push for a border poll. I think Sinn Fein have made a huge mistake I'm not running their own candidate as Catherine Connolly has rarely spoken about Irish unity as a TD.
Strange as it may seem the election of Heather Humphrey's who's grandfather was a unionist might work out very well as it might make some northern unionists to think again about Irish unity.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 416 - 01/10/2025 15:52:58    2638165

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Replying To Square_B:  "Oh sure he has if one was being completely pedantic, let him who is without sin cast the first stone and all that....."
I'm a bit surprised Micheál Martin hasn't been out claiming it was a Russian drone interfering in our crucial Presidential election, nothing would surprise me anymore,
bull island is alive and well, aviation safety chief drones on a bit himself too.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3470 - 01/10/2025 18:41:50    2638188

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Replying To tireoghainabu:  "I thought the quality of candidates for the presidential election is vey average to say the least. As a northern nationalist I would like someone who would push for a border poll. I think Sinn Fein have made a huge mistake I'm not running their own candidate as Catherine Connolly has rarely spoken about Irish unity as a TD.
Strange as it may seem the election of Heather Humphrey's who's grandfather was a unionist might work out very well as it might make some northern unionists to think again about Irish unity."
Think you are correct in everything you say. But unless Mary Lou went or they got Jarleth Burns involved, there was no potential SF candidate that seemed likely to win.

FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 378 - 01/10/2025 19:53:27    2638196

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Replying To FullOfPorter:  "Think you are correct in everything you say. But unless Mary Lou went or they got Jarleth Burns involved, there was no potential SF candidate that seemed likely to win."
An "Ulster Scotch Presbyterian " in the Áras might be the outcome the future All Ireland State needs at the present time.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 137 - 02/10/2025 00:12:22    2638212

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Replying To tireoghainabu:  "I thought the quality of candidates for the presidential election is vey average to say the least. As a northern nationalist I would like someone who would push for a border poll. I think Sinn Fein have made a huge mistake I'm not running their own candidate as Catherine Connolly has rarely spoken about Irish unity as a TD.
Strange as it may seem the election of Heather Humphrey's who's grandfather was a unionist might work out very well as it might make some northern unionists to think again about Irish unity."
It is average but lets be completely honest, there is no one in Sinn Fein that would have improved the quality of candidate bar Jarleth Burns, who would have been An excellent candidate. However, true to honour, he committed to the GAA as he said he would.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1520 - 02/10/2025 08:53:56    2638216

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Replying To Seanfan:  "An "Ulster Scotch Presbyterian " in the Áras might be the outcome the future All Ireland State needs at the present time."
I agree. While I am no fan of the Orange Order, I have no issue with someone from a Protestant faith or Unionist background becoming the President of Ireland.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1482 - 02/10/2025 13:03:59    2638247

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Of course you are right, which is how the conversation started. The church is not infallible by any definition. It's behaviour has been vile at times, nowhere more than in this country in modern history.

I believe there is a correlation but again you may be right. I would argument that the role of the family and the forms they take would be the best starting point."
I agree with you on the role of the family, definitely a major factor. I don't mean to dismiss your points about the correlation to decline of the Church, I just suspect there are quite a few other hidden factors that are being overlooked.

I have become disillusioned with the Church over the last 15-20 years, as you no doubt can detect from my earlier comments.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1482 - 02/10/2025 13:14:19    2638248

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Replying To Commodore:  "I agree. While I am no fan of the Orange Order, I have no issue with someone from a Protestant faith or Unionist background becoming the President of Ireland."
Nor would I, but can anyone say, hand on heart, that Heather Humphreys is the person? In my opinion, she's not but because the competition is so bad, she very well may get the nod.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1520 - 02/10/2025 13:19:14    2638250

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Replying To Commodore:  "I agree. While I am no fan of the Orange Order, I have no issue with someone from a Protestant faith or Unionist background becoming the President of Ireland."
Who would are less? Some of our greatest ever patriots have been Protestants. We've had previous presidents, GAA presidents and our most famous cup is named after one. It's a non issue. That said Humphries is a weak candidate, all three are.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11782 - 02/10/2025 13:39:36    2638253

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Replying To Square_B:  "Nor would I, but can anyone say, hand on heart, that Heather Humphreys is the person? In my opinion, she's not but because the competition is so bad, she very well may get the nod."
its a limp role in many respects, so in reality we need someone who is diplomatically sound, can host visiting nations, visit nations or attend public events and not put their foot in it. It probably is a retirement gig for long-term politicians, not sure what the benefits are, but It probably leaves them well looked after.

I honestly don't know why someone as young and energic as Jim Gavin would want that role, he really could do great work elsewhere, such as Minister for Health, image if he hit the HSE with the same approach as the FRC?

I don't know much about Heather Humphereys, other than she was key to get the Ulster canal link up complete with Cavan/Monaghan, which is a cool project. I have nothing against her, she might be a very effective President.

Likewise Catherine Connolly, don't really know much about her politcal career, but she seems level headed. Definitely maybe more suitable as he is near retirement.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1482 - 02/10/2025 15:29:53    2638273

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The protestors blocking the port tunnel are absolute clowns. They will now turn many people against them. Great they got he day off work to block workers and emergency services. Public order unit not called in?

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11782 - 02/10/2025 17:33:50    2638286

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Replying To yew_tree:  "The protestors blocking the port tunnel are absolute clowns. They will now turn many people against them. Great they got he day off work to block workers and emergency services. Public order unit not called in?"
I've spent part of the last few hours trying to work out how exactly a few hundred Irish protesters blocking a tunnel in Ireland is going to make any difference whatsoever to the situation in Gaza.
I've failed miserably.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17157 - 02/10/2025 19:15:48    2638294

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Who would are less? Some of our greatest ever patriots have been Protestants. We've had previous presidents, GAA presidents and our most famous cup is named after one. It's a non issue. That said Humphries is a weak candidate, all three are."
There's bigger problems than the orange order on these shores now

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2521 - 02/10/2025 20:01:10    2638298

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Replying To yew_tree:  "The protestors blocking the port tunnel are absolute clowns. They will now turn many people against them. Great they got he day off work to block workers and emergency services. Public order unit not called in?"
Moronic would be my opinion of them. Everyone I know is appalled and disgusted with what is happening in Gaza but, blocking the Port Tunnel ??

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1871 - 03/10/2025 00:20:36    2638317

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Replying To Viking66:  "I've spent part of the last few hours trying to work out how exactly a few hundred Irish protesters blocking a tunnel in Ireland is going to make any difference whatsoever to the situation in Gaza.
I've failed miserably."
Yeah that was ridiculous.
Obviously the situation in Gaza is awful and rightly deserves the utmost condemnation.
But I sometimes wonder about the true intentions of these protestors. What outcome do they realistically expect by staging events such as yesterday's?

So long as the White House is enabling Netanyahu there isn't a protest that will make a blind bit of difference.
It's a truly awful state of affairs, which history will look extremely unkindly on.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10053 - 03/10/2025 09:23:36    2638326

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah that was ridiculous.
Obviously the situation in Gaza is awful and rightly deserves the utmost condemnation.
But I sometimes wonder about the true intentions of these protestors. What outcome do they realistically expect by staging events such as yesterday's?

So long as the White House is enabling Netanyahu there isn't a protest that will make a blind bit of difference.
It's a truly awful state of affairs, which history will look extremely unkindly on."
I suppose they are looking for attention to the issue but it is a completely stupid thing to do in Ireland, reminds me a bit of the 'just stop oil' protestors you see in England, all the manage to do is annoy people.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3470 - 03/10/2025 11:37:51    2638343

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah that was ridiculous.
Obviously the situation in Gaza is awful and rightly deserves the utmost condemnation.
But I sometimes wonder about the true intentions of these protestors. What outcome do they realistically expect by staging events such as yesterday's?

So long as the White House is enabling Netanyahu there isn't a protest that will make a blind bit of difference.
It's a truly awful state of affairs, which history will look extremely unkindly on."
100%

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 752 - 03/10/2025 11:43:12    2638345

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "I suppose they are looking for attention to the issue but it is a completely stupid thing to do in Ireland, reminds me a bit of the 'just stop oil' protestors you see in England, all the manage to do is annoy people."
I could understand it a bit if they protested outside the US/Israeli embassies.
But this craic of causing disruption to everyday people going about their business is not on.
It just screams virtue signalling, "Look at me, amn't I so virtuous and principled causing all this chaos in support of the plight of the Palestinians"

No - you're just being a nuisance making zero influence for the cause you're purporting to support.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10053 - 03/10/2025 13:25:59    2638357

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Replying To legendzxix:  "It's a pity there isn't a sports channel on Saorview. A sports channel that encourages sports participation and gives coverage to marginalised sporting events should qualify for TV licence money and some public funding from other sources.
The McDonagh Cup, Tailteann Cup, League of Ireland, All-Ireland Rugby league and national athletics would be examples of sports that could feature. They could have a weekend preview on Thursday and Friday. Monday and Tuesday for a review of the weekend gone by.
"Saorview Sports" is the working títle I'm going with for now. Setanta Sports have come and gone with EirSport. Virgin Media have kept away from the GAA. Virgin Media could have sought to show the Ring and Rackard finals on Virgin Media 3 to seek favour from the GAA for a few high profile games."
Because a sports channel wouldnt be financially viable. saorview going since 2011 so well established now. a sports channel just isnt going to be viable enough
With likes of small streaming sites and clubs streaming games themselves they dont need television costs for most games

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3827 - 03/10/2025 17:05:40    2638385

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Everyone appalled with what's going on in Gaza but everyone is quiet with what's going on in Nigeria, I wonder why is that. No protests, no hours of debate in the Dail, no UN resolutions.

cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 572 - 03/10/2025 20:18:38    2638398

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