Proud to be Irish moment?

Abstar

Hi all,

Just wondering what yer proudest moment as an Irish person was (?right forum mods??) ?

Was watching a (THE) clip of riverdance from the Eurovision 1994 on youtube earlier - there's a comment there saying "i kinda tear up with pride everytime I see this. Go on Ireland!". That's exactly how I feel when I see that clip too. How wonderful that we wanted to show off some of our culture to the rest of the world, and just look at how the rest of the world embraced it! Seems like in the last number of years we've become "too cool" for things like that and embarrassed to be different (see especially our ridiculous endeavours in recent Eurovision contests), using our (mostly borrowed it seems!!) money to align ourselves more and more with American culture.

Anyway - any other 'tear up with pride' moments spring to mind?

I'd have to go with hearing the anthems being sung at the Ireland vs. England game at Croke Park. It felt as if Ireland had grown up and now stood not as servant, not as rebel, not as enemy, but as an equal nation. Getting past the hatred, and getting on with business. I was mighty proud that day.

Carroller16

seaslacker got there befor me

Lizzykins

I'd second both of those and also when we beat England in Stuttgart in 1988. I nearly burst with pride when the final whistle went. We were dancing on air for so long afterwards.

We had never won anything before that. It was always play for a draw or an honourable defeat! No more of that! I think it paved the way for much of our success in other fields in the following years. We now had an attitude of " Yes we can!"

silverharp

The Dev rebuttal radio speech to Churchill after the war was pretty cool.

The Mary Robinson Presidency

And more recently the hosting of the special olympics was impressive and to quote my German wife "you see, the Irish can organise something that works":D

Baybay

My son was given the Jack Charlton remembers Italia 90 dvd for Christmas. He wasn't born then but has met a lot of the players since. Anyway, I had a lump in my throat during some of it & a real feeling of pride.

MarchDub

I agree about the moment that the anthem was sung at Croke Park at the Ireland/England match. I watched it live on a big screen in Washington DC and I felt the pride and the magnanimity of the moment.

But I disagree with the the idea that Ireland had shown that we were "grown up" at that moment. We Irish have always been grown up and I make no apology for our past. If it had not been for the heroic stands of our ancestors we would have been wiped out by now, culturally and ethnically. As Yeats described it we survived being "beaten into the clay through seven heroic centuries".

Zebra3

The 1918 election when the people of Ireland voted for independence.

Sadly the occupiers were not so grown up to respect democracy.

Centauro

Watching the boys from the Royal Irish Regiment march past Belfast city hall.

Serenity Now!

Zebra3 wrote: »

The 1918 election when the people of Ireland voted for independence.

Sadly the occupiers were not so grown up to respect democracy.

Wow! For a very old person, you seem to have mastered this internet thingy very well :rolleyes:

BossArky

This is always a good one to stir the Irish pride :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5PT65I2ny8

T runner

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Wow! For a very old person, you seem to have mastered this internet thingy very well :rolleyes:

Come on, its a history forum after all.

T runner

Centauro wrote: »

Watching the boys from the Royal Irish Regiment march past Belfast city hall.

That made you proud to be Irish? Is it because there was a cross representation of Irish people in that regiment or some other reason?

Zebra3

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Wow! For a very old person, you seem to have mastered this internet thingy very well :rolleyes:

Thread title doesn't say you had to be alive for it, just a moment you were proud of.

Personally I think the rugby v England in Croker was media-inspired history-in-the-making rubbish. The majority of people going to watch the Irish rugby team are D4-type snobs and northern protestants who don't do the WC anti-Brit thing and rugby in Croker was very much less a big deal than "soccer".

McArmalite

Centauro wrote: »

Watching the boys from the Royal Irish Regiment march past Belfast city hall.

Royal ' Irish ' Regiment ??

MarchDub

McArmalite wrote: »

Royal ' Irish ' Regiment ??

McArmalite - as the Chinese say, one picture worth a a thousand words. You made me laugh anyway.

Phototoxin

I'd have to go with hearing the anthems being sung at the Ireland vs. England game at Croke Park. It felt as if Ireland had grown up and now stood not as servant, not as rebel, not as enemy, but as an equal nation. Getting past the hatred, and getting on with business. I was mighty proud that day.

+1

Centauro

T runner wrote: »

That made you proud to be Irish? Is it because there was a cross representation of Irish people in that regiment or some other reason?

Yeah, the lads parading were Irish men. They had been abroad putting their lives in danger, and were welcomed home by the people of their home city, which is located on the Island of Ireland. Shamrocks, Harps, the colour green in abundance, and bands playing Irish tunes, why would it NOT have made me proud to be Irish?

Centauro

McArmalite wrote: »

Royal ' Irish ' Regiment ??

"IRISH" indeed, the fact that their politcs don't necessarily match yours does not mean you can deny them their birthright. If you look closely I think you'll see that that's an Irish flag they are displaying.

Tannylan

When we voted NO to Lisbon

Zebra3

When we voted NO to Lisbon

Not one I'd support, but hey, what floats your boat......

Zebra3 wrote: »

Personally I think the rugby v England in Croker was media-inspired history-in-the-making rubbish. The majority of people going to watch the Irish rugby team are D4-type snobs and northern protestants who don't do the WC anti-Brit thing and rugby in Croker was very much less a big deal than "soccer".

Try saying that to the packed pub deep in Culchieland I watched the match in.

Tannylan

Deleted User wrote: »

Not one I'd support, but hey, what floats your boat.....

Well I did not ask you

jojobrad

Seeing Robbie Keane score against Germany in the world cup.

Cow Moolester

Any time I'm in the states and everyone loves you because you're irish

Zebra3

Deleted User wrote: »

Bitter much?

No, I'm just explaining the facts....

ElCrapula

Zebra3 wrote: »

The 1918 election when the people of Ireland voted for independence.

Sadly the occupiers were not so grown up to respect democracy.

Zebra3 wrote: »

Thread title doesn't say you had to be alive for it, just a moment you were proud of.

Personally I think the rugby v England in Croker was media-inspired history-in-the-making rubbish. The majority of people going to watch the Irish rugby team are D4-type snobs and northern protestants who don't do the WC anti-Brit thing and rugby in Croker was very much less a big deal than "soccer".

Jesus Christ

Ah, the age old mix-up between "facts" and "the facts as one sees them" i.e. An opinion. There's a lot of that in sunday newspapers. Also, i made a mistake (now rectified), i watched the match in a packed pub full of farmers and smalltowns-folk, as anti D4 a place as you could find. However, i digress. Another moment of Irish pride? How about Clinton's visit?

Zebra3

What's some people's problem with the people of Ireland voting for independence as a proud to be Irish moment?

Another was the removing of the RC church's special position from the constitution in 1973.

Disonyxiated

The Royal Irish O.o' Mmm'yeah serving the British crown in another show of the empire's military power. So they're back marching on our streets again. Proud to be Irish O.O Still though, you're entitled to your opinion.

For me I'm gonna go with that time I was in New York & was treated like a sex-god because of my Irish accent :] Now there's an ego & national pride boost!

todolist

JFK's visit in 1963.Proud that one of our own had made it to the most powerful office in the world.

Serenity Now!

todolist wrote: »

JFK's visit in 1963.Proud that one of our own had made it to the most powerful office in the world.

A Catholic?

ironictoaster

I wasn't around for Italia 90' but, qualifying for the World Cup 2002 was something special. Especially after not qualifying for years.

Zebra3

Serenity Now! wrote: »

A Catholic?

Maybe Todolist is a Kennedy.

todolist

Zebra3 wrote: »

Maybe Todolist is a Kennedy.

Why the jokes? An Irish American becomes President of The United States in 1960.That's amazing achievement for a tiny island like ours.Something we all should be proud of.

MarchDub

todolist wrote: »

Why the jokes? An Irish American becomes President of The United States in 1960.That's amazing achievement for a tiny island like ours.Something we all should be proud of.

For the time - 1960 - it was a huge moment for the country. The older generation at that time, born from 1880 on, had listened to first hand accounts of the Famine and lived through the evictions and almost annihilation of vast areas of the countryside. For an Irish Famine descendant to become president of the US in 1960 was enormous.

Centauro

todolist wrote: »

Why the jokes? An Irish American becomes President of The United States in 1960.That's amazing achievement for a tiny island like ours.Something we all should be proud of.

Indeed, this tiny Island has a lot to be proud of.

1. Andrew Jackson. 7th President. 1829 1837. Co. Antrim.

2. James Knox Polk. 11th President. 1845 1849. Co. Londonderry.

3. James Buchanan. 15th President. 1857 1861. Co. Tyrone.

4. Andrew Johnson. 17th President. 1865 1869. Co. Antrim.

5. Ulysses S. Grant. 18th President. 1869 1877. Co. Tyrone.

6. Chester A. Arthur. 21st President. 1881 1885. Co. Antrim.

7. Stephen Grover Cleveland. 22nd & 24th President. 1885 1889,1893 1897.

8. Benjamin Harrison. 23rd 1889 1893. Co. Antrim.

9. William McKinley. 25th 1897 1901. Co. Antrim.

10. Theodore Roosevelt. 26th 1901 1904. Co. Antrim.

11. Thomas Woodrow Wilson. 28th 1913 1921. Co. Tyrone.

Serenity Now!

todolist wrote: »

Why the jokes? An Irish American becomes President of The United States in 1960.That's amazing achievement for a tiny island like ours.Something we all should be proud of.

Your opinion, of course, but by mine: Like hell it is. He wasn't Irish. His father wasn't Irish. They had nothing to do with Ireland and did nothing for it.
The myths about JFK and his legendary status on this island are simply hilarious.

garrincha62

Anytime I'm on a beach in the tropics and the men are wearing the tightest of the tight speedos and posturing and striding manfully up and down the shore eyeing up the ladies I think to myself that no self respecting Irish man* would don that kind of attire and behave in such a brazen way and then I think that I am proud to be Irish.

*Portions of D4 male population excluded.

Svenolsen

I'd say those guys in the picture are from Ireland all right !!!!!!

McArmalite wrote: »

Royal ' Irish ' Regiment ??

professore

Centauro wrote: »

Watching the boys from the Royal Irish Regiment march past Belfast city hall.

Here's my one

partyguinness

I think when I hear an Irish band i.e. U2 etc playing in a foreign pub or sports venue..or when I hear the National Anthem..never fails to bring tears to me eyes..

getz

silverharp wrote: »

The Dev rebuttal radio speech to Churchill after the war was pretty cool.

The Mary Robinson Presidency

And more recently the hosting of the special olympics was impressive and to quote my German wife "you see, the Irish can organise something that works":D

thats not that impressive irelands backing of adolf hitler during the war led to a russian veto for ireland joining the united nations

shane86

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd have to go with hearing the anthems being sung at the Ireland vs. England game at Croke Park. It felt as if Ireland had grown up and now stood not as servant, not as rebel, not as enemy, but as an equal nation. Getting past the hatred, and getting on with business. I was mighty proud that day.

Did they play our anthem? Do they play Amhrann na bhFiann at rugby now? I can never get excited about Ireand v England rugby as (far as Im still aware) the fact we dont play the anthem makes the entire thing laughable, it imakes it nothing more than a provincial derby game about as far removed from national pride as you can imagine, and Im baffled as to why the country goes absoloutely spare when the fixture rolls around every 2 or so years. Rep of Ireland vs England soccer- now THATS a grudge fixture (a rare one, unfortunately)


Bonners save, O`Learys goal in 1990 has to be the height of it for me The Reeling in the Years edit/music is brilliant.

getz

partyguinness wrote: »

When exactly did Ireland back Hitler? Proof, examples would be nice...

That is utter nonsense and has no basis in fact. Ireland unofficially supported the Allies and assisted where possible during WWII while giving the air of complete neutrality.

this evidence is not hard to find-put up hitler and ireland on the net you will also find not only did the irish goverment tell the german goverment that the were sorry about hitlers death they also offered sanctuary to german war criminals

Fratton Fred

shane86 wrote: »

Did they play our anthem? Do they play Amhrann na bhFiann at rugby now? I can never get excited about Ireand v England rugby as (far as Im still aware) the fact we dont play the anthem makes the entire thing laughable, it imakes it nothing more than a provincial derby game about as far removed from national pride as you can imagine, and Im baffled as to why the country goes absoloutely spare when the fixture rolls around every 2 or so years. Rep of Ireland vs England soccer- now THATS a grudge fixture (a rare one, unfortunately)


Bonners save, O`Learys goal in 1990 has to be the height of it for me The Reeling in the Years edit/music is brilliant.

The Irish national anthem was sung very loud and very impressively at the game iirc. I was proud of the Irish for that.

A grudge match is only a grudge match if the grudge is mutual.

shane86

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The Irish national anthem was sung very loud and very impressively at the game iirc. I was proud of the Irish for that.

A grudge match is only a grudge match if the grudge is mutual.

Are you sure it wasnt that Irelands Call rubbish?

getz

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The Irish national anthem was sung very loud and very impressively at the game iirc. I was proud of the Irish for that.

A grudge match is only a grudge match if the grudge is mutual.

i agree the irish nation anthem is very impressive -but its a pitty that the words to it are racist

BossArky

All, the topic is "Proud to be Irish moment?"

Stay on topic and stop wandering please.

lilminx

For me it was in Beijing a number of years ago. I was lucky enough to on a trade mission with President Mary McAleese. Seeing Tiananmen Square, with the Tri-colour displayed copiously was a little strange being honest, but watching Riverdance in the Great Hall of the People was the outstanding moment in my life.

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-14-2003-46492.asp

I cried, my da cried - even my mother shed a tear. It was great moment of pride as an Irishwoman and as a family, being invited to attend by our own President.

pepsicokeacola

when i was in portugal and everyone you meet talks about how much they like ireland, and we're not talking about fantastical idealic notions, like you get in the usa, actuall idea of the culture and way of life.

MarchDub

pepsicokeacola wrote: »

when i was in portugal and everyone you meet talks about how much they like ireland, and we're not talking about fantastical idealic notions, like you get in the usa, actuall idea of the culture and way of life.

How much time have you spent in the USA?