Irish Independent Famine Ceremony Coverage

jimi_t2 · 17-05-2010 12:52pm #1

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/british-fail-to-attend-famine-ceremony-2182551.html?start=1

AT BEST it was an insensitive diplomatic gaffe.

The tutting was growing apace at the National Famine Commemoration ceremony yesterday after there was no appearance by any representative of the British government.

About 1,000 attended the impressive ceremony at the Murrisk Millennium Peace Park at the foot of Croagh Patrick.

Fourteen other nations and even the European Parliament's man made the effort to gather at the foot of the mountain for the ceremony in memory of the 1.6 million or so who either starved to death under British rule or fled the country in a desperate effort to keep body and soul together.

Attendees included US ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney, Australian ambassador Bruce Davis and Chinese ambassador Liu Biwei.

The Slovakians, Slovenians, Croatians and Latvians and a host of others also turned up.

Nigeria was also determined to be represented and sent along its deputy head of mission here.

But not the Brits -- even though government sources confirmed that, yes, they had been invited.

Taken from the thread in humanities;

super_furry wrote: »

Wow, the Independent is some rag. They actually call them 'Brits' in the article.

Not only that, but given how concerned they are about the ''Brits'' disrespecting this sacred ceremony, look at the ****ing photo they decided to run with, captioned with ''The wind plays a trick on Archbishop Neary''.

And you have to go searching for a wonderfully evocative and touching photo of wreaths being laid at the memorial in Mayo by the appropriate Minister.

Now, fair enough. Some people might be a bit perturbed that our closest neighbours and former occupiers didn't send a delegate. Thats perfectly understandable, but not of huge importance overall. The fact that I don't see us maintaining the same for many of their traditions notwithstanding, even the ones that have direct connections with us, I think their present government has enough on its plate at the moment.

The so called Irish Independent, however, has disgraced us by purposefully running that bizarre photo first in the article.

They haven't a leg to stand on in complaining about others not respecting the ceremony, the morally bankrupt ****ers. At least the Red Tops don't pretend to be a legitimate and unbiased source of news.

Lux23 · 17-05-2010 12:59pm

I found that article very strange. Its written like a piece of editorial rather than a new piece and where are they going with the use of the word Brits. Imagine a national newspaper article talking about a commeration of the Battle of the Somme and how the Paddies didn't turn up. Its a very odd piece.

Glenster · 17-05-2010 1:02pm

When do we stop holding remembrance ceremonies for things?

I was thinking of holding a candlelight vigil to honour the extinction of the dinosaurs.

AnonoBoy · 17-05-2010 1:06pm

Time to let it go guys. They didn't send anyone, big deal.

jimi_t2 · 17-05-2010 1:12pm

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Time to let it go guys. They didn't send anyone, big deal.

The point I was trying to highlight was that the Irish Independent ran a photo which trivialises the ceremony that they're browbeating everyone about.

Mr Benevolent · 17-05-2010 1:29pm

They should rename the commemoration 'Lack of Noms' and be done with it.

WindSock · 17-05-2010 1:34pm

jimi_t2 wrote: »

look at the ****ing photo they decided to run with, captioned with ''The wind plays a trick on Archbishop Neary''.

lol :pac:

General Zod · 17-05-2010 1:47pm

those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.

AnonoBoy · 17-05-2010 1:49pm

General Zod wrote: »

those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.

Yeah but we don't have to whinge just because nobody representing Britain came to the ceremony.

ejmaztec · 17-05-2010 1:56pm

The problem is that the Tories have not yet appointed a groveller to attend ceremonies in countries once occupied by the British. The guy with the disputed shortest straw is questioning the accuracy of the straw-measuring equipment.

General Zod · 17-05-2010 1:58pm

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Yeah but we don't have to whinge just because nobody representing Britain came to the ceremony.

You're right, as usual, but my point was for those out there who are asking "why are we even commemorating the Famine?"

jimi_t2 · 17-05-2010 1:59pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

The problem is that the Tories have not yet appointed a groveller to attend ceremonies in countries once occupied by the British.

Well, in fairness, the Irish ambassador in the UK is a separate entity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_King_(diplomat)

Banned Account · 17-05-2010 2:00pm

Is it wrong of me to wish that I had the foresight of opening a chip van at the service - there's a recession on you know.

Cookie_Monster · 17-05-2010 2:02pm

Nigeria was also determined to be represented and sent along its deputy head of mission here.

Why were they so determined to be there?

Blobby George · 17-05-2010 2:03pm

Fitzcaraldo wrote: »

Is it wrong of me to wish that I had the foresight of opening a chip van at the service - there's a recession on you know.

Lol, superb.

El Tarangu · 17-05-2010 2:04pm

It's also odd that they describe Seamus O'Connell, a representative of the Humanist Association, as reading a 'prayer'.

That's not what Mr O'Connell himself would have referred to his recitation as, surely?

recylingbin · 17-05-2010 2:04pm

DEY TUK ARR SPUDS!!!!
derpa derpa der

jimi_t2 · 17-05-2010 2:05pm

El Tarangu wrote: »

It's also odd that they describe Seamus O'Connell, a representative of the Humanist Association, as reading a 'prayer'.

That's not what Mr O'Connell himself would have referred to his recitation as, surely?