What does it mean to be Irish?

duffflash · 10-05-2010 2:55pm #1

Sorry you all may think this as a load of balls and it’s probably not in the correct forum but it is something I’ve been asking myself a lot lately and I’d like to know what you all think?
So

What do we think of ourselves as a race and how do you feel we are perceived by the world as a people?

Permabear · 10-05-2010 3:03pm

This post has been deleted.

duffflash · 10-05-2010 3:08pm

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Ok cool so we're not a race.

As a country? as a people? as irish even?

Caveat · 10-05-2010 3:14pm

I get the impression we are fairly well perceived around the world. There are many countries that fare much worse in terms of negative sterotypes IMO.

However, what it means, to me, to be Irish? Almost nothing mate.

An accident of birth and location, that's all. I'm neither ashamed nor proud, just utterly ambivalent about it.

getz · 10-05-2010 3:21pm

duffflash wrote: »

Sorry you all may think this as a load of balls and it’s probably not in the correct forum but it is something I’ve been asking myself a lot lately and I’d like to know what you all think?
So

What do we think of ourselves as a race and how do you feel we are perceived by the world as a people?

from a non irishman,on irish people, lovely and friendly people,great sense of humour, easy to get on with, they have a few problems but who has not ?

loldog · 10-05-2010 3:36pm

Ask Ian Paisley - “I would never repudiate the fact that I am an Irishman”.

It's all too complicated, makes my head hurt.

.

Nodin · 10-05-2010 3:38pm

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

...though we do seem to share a genetic propensity for a distended belly and hairy backside.

P. Breathnach · 10-05-2010 4:09pm

I'm neither proud nor ashamed of being Irish, because it's not something I achieved: it happened. But it was a fortunate happening, and I am very pleased to be Irish. It means that I have had to good fortune to spend my life (longer than most other people here) in a place that is relatively peaceful, prosperous, and free. I also enjoy, and identify with, many aspects of Irish culture, both the Gaelic and the Anglo-Irish traditions.

It's a bonus when I travel outside the country and find that Irish people are generally well-regarded and made more welcome than other visitors.

But when we have a collective outbreak of rage over Thierry Henry doing something that we would applaud if Robbie Keane did, I briefly lose my enthusiasm.

Overheal · 10-05-2010 4:16pm

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Celts could be considered a race.

fontanalis · 10-05-2010 4:33pm

Overheal wrote: »

Celts could be considered a race.

But the word celt has been corrupted, bastardised and mislabled. Irish people aren't celts geneticaly just culturally and linguistically.
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/2006/10/mythsofbritishancestry/

P. Breathnach · 10-05-2010 4:38pm

fontanalis wrote: »

... Irish people aren't celts geneticaly just culturally and linguistically...

I accept that is broadly true. That's enough for me to consider myself Celtic.

fontanalis · 10-05-2010 4:46pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

I accept that is broadly true. That's enough for me to consider myself Celtic.

Yes, but using the word celtic race really skews the meaning doesn't it? Sorry, being a bit pedantic but I find the whole ancestry thing very interesting.

Rented Mule · 10-05-2010 4:49pm

Nodin wrote: »

...though we do seem to share a genetic propensity for a distended belly and hairy backside.

Why bring the women into this ?

P. Breathnach · 10-05-2010 5:01pm

fontanalis wrote: »

Yes, but using the word celtic race really skews the meaning doesn't it? Sorry, being a bit pedantic but I find the whole ancestry thing very interesting.

Calling any population group in Europe a race is a bit iffy. I'd call us a Celtic people.

topper75 · 10-05-2010 5:13pm

The ancient Greeks, who took care to write stuff down, called all peoples to the north Keltoi.

Caeser, being a Roman (they had a big Greco fetish), reused the term when he landed in Gaul to refer to the tribes he encountered there. He also wrote stuff down.

And here we are today, reading stuff that some people wrote down. It is a meaningless term. There is no Celtic race.

dlofnep · 10-05-2010 5:48pm

"It means we're not fucking English."

What does it mean to be Irish? I think P. Breathnach nailed it.

fontanalis · 10-05-2010 6:24pm

loldog wrote: »

Ask Ian Paisley - “I would never repudiate the fact that I am an Irishman”.

It's all too complicated, makes my head hurt.

.

It's best not to think about it too much.
http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/003780.html

sensibleken · 11-05-2010 2:41pm

I would call myself a Gael not Celtic

Personally i feel most irish when i visit a megalithic monument or am travelling through some beautifull corner of the country or sitting in a pub playing trad music. its a hard thing to articulate but i just get a feeling of being at home.

eoin5 · 12-05-2010 9:14am

Were good at fightin n drinkin of course

. Seriously though we do have a rep for being plastered.

paky · 12-05-2010 9:01pm

begrudging the success of your friends and neighbours is what it means to be Irish

creeper1 · 13-05-2010 1:24am

It used to be about having a good work ethic - that's been replaced with feelings of entitlements.

It used to be about respecting the church and being catholic - that's been replaced with one night stands and single parent families.

Some things never change though. A love of alcohol and quick wit are timeless Irish qualities. Also a good natured nationalism and love for Ireland.

For all it's faults we can still call this country "the best little country in the world"

eoin5 · 13-05-2010 1:44am

creeper1 wrote: »

It used to be about respecting the church and being catholic - that's been replaced with one night stands and single parent families.

No complaints here. I'm very happy to see things changing at home (east clare) and becoming more open while at the same time retaining a good community spirit. The taboos are disappearing, 'tis great.

fontanalis · 13-05-2010 6:30am

creeper1 wrote: »

It used to be about having a good work ethic - that's been replaced with feelings of entitlements.

It used to be about respecting the church and being catholic - that's been replaced with one night stands and single parent families.

Some things never change though. A love of alcohol and quick wit are timeless Irish qualities. Also a good natured nationalism and love for Ireland.

For all it's faults we can still call this country "the best little country in the world"

Yeah because that's worse than an organisation on a moral high horse protecting child rapists, grow up. And because of this alone it can't be called the best little country in the wold. Oh and mass emigration would also see to it.

Mike 1972 · 13-05-2010 5:45pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Calling any population group in Europe a race is a bit iffy. I'd call us a Celtic people.

Contradict yourself much ?

creeper1 wrote: »

It used to be about respecting the church and being catholic

So Jews, Protestants, Atheists, Pagans, Druids etc = not Irish (or just not as Irish as the followers of a foreign cult introduced by an illegal immigant from Wales) ?

dlofnep wrote: »

"It means we're not fucking English."
.

I will copulate with who I like without seeking permission from anyone (other than the person in question) thank you very much.

bad2dabone · 13-05-2010 5:49pm

creeper1 wrote: »

It used to be about respecting the church "

why should i respect rapists, paedophile-enablers and hatemongers?

sensibleken · 14-05-2010 12:33am

It used to be about having a good work ethic - that's been replaced with feelings of entitlements.[/QUOTE]
questionable

creeper1 wrote: »

It used to be about respecting the church and being catholic - that's been replaced with one night stands and single parent families.

as opposed to imprisoning women for having kids outside of marriage. as opposed to respecting one parent families. read up on you history prior to laudabiliter. the celtic church was allot better than the romans

creeper1 wrote: »

For all it's faults we can still call this country "the best little country in the world"

all the qualities you have mentioned are ones i want to eradicate

creeper1 · 14-05-2010 12:44am

bad2dabone wrote: »

why should i respect rapists, paedophile-enablers and hatemongers?

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The vast majority of priest and religious people DO NOT abuse children. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

For every swine of peadophile priest there is a good honest and loving mother Theresa.

For the record, catholics just a two hundred years ago risked their very lives to practice their religion. They did it and they should be applauded for it.

But anyway that's ancient history we have the one night stands and single parents all over Ireland now. Like that;s GREAT PROGRESS for you.:rolleyes:

Executive Steve · 14-05-2010 12:46am

creeper1 wrote: »

It used to be about having a good work ethic - that's been replaced with feelings of entitlements.

It used to be about respecting the church and being catholic - that's been replaced with one night stands and single parent families.

Some things never change though. A love of alcohol and quick wit are timeless Irish qualities. Also a good natured nationalism and love for Ireland.

LOL.

sensibleken · 14-05-2010 12:53am

nach bhfuil aon chullúr leis na duinne gaellach.

some of the things that make me feel proud of our culture

1: the life of St columbs by Adomnán of Iona: talks about homosexuallity in a liberal way before rome got its grubby hands on us.

2: the Táin Bo Cuaillaige: a fantastic epic which illustrates the futility of armed conflict

3: brehon law: although not perfect a shining example during the dark ages of logic and reasonable governence.

4: the first woman elected to westminster

5. our poetry from pangur bán to raglan road

6. the role the monks had in preserving learning and classical culture during europes dark ages

5: traditional irish music contains almost no irish instruments but still remains irish by spirit

what dulls that pride

1: the fact that unionist were right. for 80 year home rule was in fact rome rule

2: walking around Dublin and seeing so much of what was beautifull 40 years ago stamped upon

3: the gombeenism, hungry and corupt political class of today

sensibleken · 14-05-2010 12:59am

creeper1 wrote: »

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The vast majority of priest and religious people DO NOT abuse children. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

irrelevant. members of an organisation may engage in criminal activity and others may be innocent. the fact is that is it was the policy of that organisation that the criminal activity should be facilitated. that makes it a criminal organisation no matter what way you look at it. if those members had any moral fortitude they would disassociate themselves from such an organisation. your accusations of protestantism clearly shows you prejudice

Executive Steve · 14-05-2010 4:32am

creeper1 wrote: »

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The vast majority of priest and religious people DO NOT abuse children. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

For every swine of peadophile priest there is a good honest and loving mother Theresa.

For the record, catholics just a two hundred years ago risked their very lives to practice their religion. They did it and they should be applauded for it.

But anyway that's ancient history we have the one night stands and single parents all over Ireland now. Like that;s GREAT PROGRESS for you.:rolleyes:

It's posts like this that put me off posting on Irish political boards, generally engaging with Irish politics beyond voting and which by and large make me wish I wasn't born here.

bad2dabone · 14-05-2010 4:43am

creeper1 wrote: »

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

i'm sorry I can't even get into this debate with you. Your post is truly tragic.

I had a post written but really, when someone comes up with this rubbish, what is the point

muckety · 14-05-2010 9:29am

creeper1 wrote: »

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The vast majority of priest and religious people DO NOT abuse children. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

For every swine of peadophile priest there is a good honest and loving mother Theresa.

For the record, catholics just a two hundred years ago risked their very lives to practice their religion. They did it and they should be applauded for it.

But anyway that's ancient history we have the one night stands and single parents all over Ireland now. Like that;s GREAT PROGRESS for you.:rolleyes:

So being Irish means to be bigoted and unable to spell correctly?

anymore · 14-05-2010 8:58pm

creeper1 wrote: »

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The vast majority of priest and religious people DO NOT abuse children. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

For every swine of peadophile priest there is a good honest and loving mother Theresa.

For the record, catholics just a two hundred years ago risked their very lives to practice their religion. They did it and they should be applauded for it.

But anyway that's ancient history we have the one night stands and single parents all over Ireland now. Like that;s GREAT PROGRESS for you.:rolleyes:

The Great Mother Theresa had millions in the banks whilst her staff had to reuse syringes in her clinics. The ' poor' apparently werent deserving of what is a normal medical practice of not resusing syringes !

And let me ask you, for every paedophile priest, how many bishops and cardinals were protecting him and moving him around from parish to parish ?
And also let me ask you, what would Jesus have done ?
Well if he drove the money changers out of the temple, what would he have done with the mafia of Bishops and Cardinals who protected the paedo priests ?

creeper1 · 15-05-2010 2:49am

What would Jesus do? Inspire more people to become priests so that there wouldn't be the current shortage. Maybe he'd allow them to marry. God only knows.

Before we go off on a tagent here, I was describing what it means to be Irish. Being Irish is associated with being catholic. Maybe I should say was.

It used to be the case that you could tell a catholic house by going into the living room and there above the fireplace was a picture of the sacred heart. That's no longer the case.

You try to make me apologize for bringing this up? NO way! I will never apologize for being Irish!

You cannot ask a similar question like "what does it mean to be Iraqi?" without somehow mentioning Islam. I am merely pointing this out.

Executive Steve · 15-05-2010 4:45am

creeper1 wrote: »

What would Jesus do? Inspire more people to become priests so that there wouldn't be the current shortage. Maybe he'd allow them to marry. God only knows.

Before we go off on a tagent here, I was describing what it means to be Irish. Being Irish is associated with being catholic. Maybe I should say was.

It used to be the case that you could tell a catholic house by going into the living room and there above the fireplace was a picture of the sacred heart. That's no longer the case.

You try to make me apologize for bringing this up? NO way! I will never apologize for being Irish!

You cannot ask a similar question like "what does it mean to be Iraqi?" without somehow mentioning Islam. I am merely pointing this out.

Clearly you know about as much about Iraq as you know about Ireland.

Absurdum · 15-05-2010 8:11am

So according to this thread, being Irish is about arguing over religion, yeah?

We've come a long way

moonpurple · 15-05-2010 8:20am

what does it mean to be irish?

stressed, exhausted, glued to the news, pissed off

Nodin · 15-05-2010 10:54am

creeper1 wrote: »

You cannot ask a similar question like "what does it mean to be Iraqi?" without somehow mentioning Islam. I am merely pointing this out.

I'll merely point out that Iraq contains Shia and Sunni muslims.

Mike 1972 · 15-05-2010 3:06pm

Being Irish means occasionally engaging in pointless naval gazing discussions packed with ridiculous generalisations about what it means to be Irish as opposed to say occasionally engaging in pointless naval gazing discussions packed with ridiculous generalisations about what it means to be Hungarian.

Nodin wrote: »

I'll merely point out that Iraq contains Shia and Sunni muslims.

And Zoroastrians and Alevis and Mandaeists and Yazidis and Christians and Atheists and even some Jews..............

fontanalis · 16-05-2010 5:08pm

creeper1 wrote: »

You shouldn't. However its a case of one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The vast majority of priest and religious people DO NOT abuse children. What are you? A prodestant? Get the hell out of here with your hate filled propaganda.

For every swine of peadophile priest there is a good honest and loving mother Theresa.

For the record, catholics just a two hundred years ago risked their very lives to practice their religion. They did it and they should be applauded for it.

But anyway that's ancient history we have the one night stands and single parents all over Ireland now. Like that;s GREAT PROGRESS for you.:rolleyes:

There were single mothers back in Devs golden age, they were just locked up, let's regress to that.

ruthies · 17-05-2010 12:09pm

bad2dabone wrote: »

why should i respect rapists, paedophile-enablers and hatemongers?

No matter what has happened catholic church has also provided care and hope and comfort for those who have lost a family member or been poverty stricken>And if recall rightly
The churches played an important part in the distribution of government and private relief. Local priests and ministers were widely praised for their role in helping the poor. Some churches also established their own relief committees to raise funds. The two Catholic bishops who were particularly involved were Archbishop Murray of Dublin and Archbishop MacHale of Tuam. Catholic aid continued beyond 1847, when many other forms of private relief had dried up. The amount collected is hard to quantify but it was probably more than £400,000. Most of this was distributed by local priests in the distressed areas. This avoided much of the expense and delay that marked Government relief.
Because of its overseas network, the Irish Catholic church was able to attract money. Some of the largest amounts were raised by the Catholic parishes in Britain and the United States. The Tablet, the leading English Catholic newspaper, offered to act as a channel for English Catholics to send money to Ireland. By March 1847 Bishop Fitzpatrick in Boston had raised almost $20,000, mostly from local Catholics, though it was meant for distribution to all creeds in Ireland. Apart from donations from outside Ireland, priests in Ireland donated money for the famine poor. James Maher, the rector of the Irish College in Rome, sold his horse and gig for this purpose. The staff and students of Maynooth college made a donation of over £200.

Just because a bunch of scum latched onto the catholic church because they saw easy access to children does not condemn my religion thank you very much.
There are in every religion across the board this kind of human and among the authorities also in every country of the world.
But people only shouting about Catholic priests and ignoring the rest.
What it means to be Irish looking forward always keeping a brave face,been proud of what ancestors died for and fought for.Never truly been over taken not losing spirit and been generous.
Unfortunately its far and few between who actually give a damn about their nationality anymore.

What does it mean to be Irish?

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