The most popular person in Ireland.

Motivator

[Deleted User] wrote: »

As far as most popular goes, i'd reckon Michael Lyster from the Sunday Game is right up there. Comes across as very likeable, good at his job, unpretentious, enthusiastic, usually in good form.. I'd find it hard to imagine someone disliking him for any reason.

Met Lyster at the All Stars a few years ago. He's a bollocks.

enricoh

Joey Dunlop or Luke Kelly?
Never heard anyone say a bad word about either - and they'd deserve a clatter if they did!

Wildlife Actor

2 questions being mixed up: who is the most popular person vs who should be. I've met a few of the people mentioned and some comments are way off the mark. Clearly some pr!cks have clearly fooled a lot of people with their pr and some great people could do with a pr agent (if they cared).

Nobody can know who should be the most popular.

In his day, Daniel O Connell was probably more popular than anybody before or since (and the population was higher then too!).

dd972

Apple's Finance Dept Manager

KingBrian2

Katie Taylor is certainly up there.

jpm4

Denis Irwin?

Autosport

Michael Collins

RayM

Michael D. Higgins. He had over a million votes by the final count in 2011. And he's done a great job as president.

The fact that the vast majority of those who dislike him are dreadful right-wing cranks and bores is just the icing on the cake.

pheasant tail

Dermot Morgan will forever be a legend in this country

shaunr68

pheasant tail wrote: »

Dermot Morgan will forever be a legend in this country

Him, and another genius taken too soon, Phil Lynott

Wildlife Actor

RayM wrote: »

Michael D. Higgins. He had over a million votes by the final count in 2011. And he's done a great job as president.

A quarter of that million were fourth preferences

Muahahaha

enricoh wrote: »

Joey Dunlop or Luke Kelly?
Never heard anyone say a bad word about either - and they'd deserve a clatter if they did!

50,000 people showed up for Joey Dunlops funeral which really showed what he meant to so many people. I doubt we will ever see a funeral in Ireland so large, I certainly couldnt imagine 50,000 showing up for any of the names mentioned so far on this thread.

Muahahaha

Muahahaha wrote: »

50,000 people showed up for Joey Dunlops funeral which really showed what he meant to so many people. I doubt we will ever see a funeral in Ireland so large, I certainly couldnt imagine 50,000 showing up for any of the names mentioned so far on this thread.

Half a million turned up to Michael Collins but that was to be expected given the times i suppose.

In modern times it is tbf hard to envisage who would command such a huge funeral other than Dunlop.

RayM

RayM wrote: »

Michael D. Higgins. He had over a million votes by the final count in 2011. And he's done a great job as president.

The fact that the vast majority of those who dislike him are dreadful right-wing cranks and bores is just the icing on the cake.

He seems like a nice harmless twit, before the presidential election his political cv was remarkably thin for all his years in politics. I think he recited a few poems on the Late Late and went to Galway United games.

Where did you get the stat about most who dislike him being cranks and bores? It sounds like silly nonsense.

Lt Dan

RayM wrote: »

Michael D. Higgins. He had over a million votes by the final count in 2011. And he's done a great job as president.

The fact that the vast majority of those who dislike him are dreadful right-wing cranks and bores is just the icing on the cake.

What has he done? Stayed out of trouble, opened a few nursing homes, did not embarrass himself during the Centenary..........

The man is a glorified champagne socialist , a not in my back garden type.

Lt Dan

Muahahaha wrote: »

50,000 people showed up for Joey Dunlops funeral which really showed what he meant to so many people. I doubt we will ever see a funeral in Ireland so large, I certainly couldnt imagine 50,000 showing up for any of the names mentioned so far on this thread.

Eh John Hume will get a massive turn out. Hell, even "Jarry" might be able to sell tickets in Anderstown for his,

George Best's funeral took place at Stormont. 100,000 came out along the route, some of it was on BBC tv, LIVE!!!. 25,000 stood outside Stormont during the ceremony.

Lt Dan

Deleted User wrote: »

He seems like a nice harmless twit, before the presidential election his political cv was remarkably thin for all his years in politics. I think he recited a few poems on the Late Late and went to Galway United games.

Where did you get the stat about most who dislike him being cranks and bores? It sounds like silly nonsense.

So was Brian Cowen's and it never stopped him from being Taoiseach, alas, by default and never appointed by the public

Says a lot when Michael Twee was not given a post under the FG Labour Government and was overlooked by a blown in for the 1990 and 1997 Presidential Election

Twee will get credit for his work as the Minister for the Arts - getting the likes of Braveheart etc to Ireland. He will rightly be credited with removing Conor Cruise O'Brien's censorship rules on Sinn Féin, and playing a role in the rise of T na G

beach_walker

Lt Dan wrote: »

Says a lot when Michael Twee was not given a post under the FG Labour Government and was overlooked by a blown in for the 1990 and 1997 Presidential Election

Well as a former FFer, I'm sure he was delighted to serve under a FF Taoiseach :pac:

I don't think it's fair re him being overlooked. In 1990 Mary R was (and still is) streets ahead of him in pretty much every way, it would have been madness to select him. And for 1997 I don't think Labour even put forward any candidate. 2011 was more of a return to what the Presidency has traditionally been, a retirement home for establishment politicians. He fit the bill perfectly and although I spoiled my ballot, he probably was marginally the best of a bad lot. Even so he made heavy weather of it.

Motivator

Motivator wrote: »

Met Lyster at the All Stars a few years ago. He's a bollocks.

Haha, the plot thickens Possible he had an off day or maybe he is actually not as nice a guy as he seems on tv!

Someone mentioned Denis Irwin, great shout. While he might not be in the public eye much or even well known by people under the age of 23/24, I would guess that among those who know of him, few would have any negative opinions of him. Comes across as a mans man, mild-mannered guy, no fuss or pretension - great footballer too and while people recognise this he seems to get forgotten about a bit - probably what he'd prefer though in fairness.

topper75

Muahahaha wrote: »

50,000 people showed up for Joey Dunlops funeral which really showed what he meant to so many people. I doubt we will ever see a funeral in Ireland so large, I certainly couldnt imagine 50,000 showing up for any of the names mentioned so far on this thread.

That docu 'Road' is one of the most amazing I've seen. Not to ruin it for anyone, but the nephew down in the shed straight after the ould lad (Joey's brother) was killed... just couldn't process that. They were so different to the average person.

Lt Dan

beach_walker wrote: »

Well as a former FFer, I'm sure he was delighted to serve under a FF Taoiseach :pac:

I don't think it's fair re him being overlooked. In 1990 Mary R was (and still is) streets ahead of him in pretty much every way, it would have been madness to select him. And for 1997 I don't think Labour even put forward any candidate. 2011 was more of a return to what the Presidency has traditionally been, a retirement home for establishment politicians. He fit the bill perfectly and although I spoiled my ballot, he probably was marginally the best of a bad lot. Even so he made heavy weather of it.

His people had campaigned his party to get the nod. He was overlooked, and bar 1997, rightly so. Both women's connections to Labour, compared to him, was tenuous. Robbo was not dictated to by Labour while a Senator, bit like our Ivanna B

1997 they put forward Adi Roache.

I do not think Twee did much wrong in the Presidential race. He said nothing and offered nothing, but that was a million times better than the rest. He was the default candidate

People would never touch Martin McGuinness but he polled well. Fianna Fáil man did not seem to understand the Presidents Role or the fact that no Foreign Minister or Minister for Jobs would tolerate an Irish President swanning off to some Job Convention or trying to encourage jabs to Ireland - besides, what success did he really have as a business man? FG man opened his mouth and shot himself in the foot and tried it on with Martin and got burned. Martin tried it on with FG man and it did not really hurt him as he was never a serious contender. But, did apparently upset the "sensitive" Miraim O'Challaghan. wee petal.

The two women were irrelevant, yet they had their own controversy .

Twee just stood there (well, on a box) and looked Presidential, even looked good by offering his vote to Dave Norris in order to get onto the Presidential ticket. A bit risky as both would be looking for the same vote, but it was calculated.

The YOPPA

Crash bang wallop....the sound of this thread being derailed

Lt Dan

The YOPPA wrote: »

Crash bang wallop....the sound of this thread being derailed

In what way? the so called derailment went into a discussion regarding the merits of the nominations for "the most popular person in Ireland". One tends to look at their lives and discuss.

A lot of names thrown out there are questionable. Naturally, people will discuss that. You okay with discussion? It seems that you are not

If you are not, perhaps toddle along.

Billy86

Deleted User wrote: »

I think Brendan Gleason and Colm Meaney would be both up there. Hard to find anyone with a bad word to say about either of them

Pretty sure I've read that Colm Meaney is supposed to be an utter prick, actually.

Muahahaha

Muahahaha wrote: »

50,000 people showed up for Joey Dunlops funeral which really showed what he meant to so many people. I doubt we will ever see a funeral in Ireland so large, I certainly couldnt imagine 50,000 showing up for any of the names mentioned so far on this thread.

100,000+ attended the funeral of Irish patriot, Bobby Sands.

The YOPPA

Lt Dan wrote:

His people had campaigned his party to get the nod. He was overlooked, and bar 1997, rightly so. Both women's connections to Labour, compared to him, was tenuous. Robbo was not dictated to by Labour while a Senator, bit like our Ivanna B

Lt Dan wrote:

1997 they put forward Adi Roache.

Lt Dan wrote:

I do not think Twee did much wrong in the Presidential race. He said nothing and offered nothing, but that was a million times better than the rest. He was the default candidate

Lt Dan wrote:

People would never touch Martin McGuinness but he polled well. Fianna Fáil man did not seem to understand the Presidents Role or the fact that no Foreign Minister or Minister for Jobs would tolerate an Irish President swanning off to some Job Convention or trying to encourage jabs to Ireland - besides, what success did he really have as a business man? FG man opened his mouth and shot himself in the foot and tried it on with Martin and got burned. Martin tried it on with FG man and it did not really hurt him as he was never a serious contender. But, did apparently upset the "sensitive" Miraim O'Challaghan. wee petal.

Lt Dan wrote:

The two women were irrelevant, yet they had their own controversy .

Lt Dan wrote:

Twee just stood there (well, on a box) and looked Presidential, even looked good by offering his vote to Dave Norris in order to get onto the Presidential ticket. A bit risky as both would be looking for the same vote, but it was calculated.

I don't remember anyone asking for a history/political lesson.

This thread was to suggest popular people in Ireland...maybe we should discuss in depth every 'nominated' person on here?

"Toddle along"

lawred2

Wesc. wrote: »

Had this discussion with a mate of mine earlier. I went for Paul O'Connell, while he thought Brian O'Driscoll. Couldn't think of anybody else more universally liked..

Thoughts?

You both love rugby I guess

Billy86

lawred2 wrote: »

Wesc. wrote: »

Had this discussion with a mate of mine earlier. I went for Paul O'Connell, while he thought Brian O'Driscoll. Couldn't think of anybody else more universally liked..

Thoughts?

You both love rugby I guess

To be fair, those two are kind of like if Damien Duff was as good as Roy Keane, if you get my drift? Two legendary players who gave very little to have against them. Kind of like Paul McGrath (despite his troubles, the Irish public have always had a big soft spot for him).

Motivator

lawred2 wrote: »

You both love rugby I guess

And apes....big egg chasing, muscle mary apes.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Another dislike for Michael D Higgins here. No time for socialists who affect upper class accents. He really seemed to me to be in his element mixing with the queen etc. And it's not a thing of me just begrudging a man of his obvious success, it's just that affectation grates with me and you can be successful without it - for instance, I believe Bertie Ahern is an example of a guy from a modest background who achieved very highly without becoming pompous. Like did Higgins always have that accent? Higgins knows he can make grandiose left-wing speeches that will have no impact on government policy and he'll get to look like the good guy while the government will implement the *actual* policies that fix the country and be unpopular for it. Win-win for him and 5 grand a week too! I get the impression he wants to be liked by everyone - "working class", intellectual elites and "Dublin 4" people alike. I think the fact no one ever seems to share any of my feelings about him and in fact seem to dote over him ("OMG I love michael d, like aren't you proud our president is so cool!") makes me dislike him more! He's tricking you all!

Michael D Higgins was born during World War Two. Lloyd George and Kaiser Bill were still alive & kicking when Michael D was entered the world. Back then, academics and men in public life were expected to speak a particular way.

Just look at newscasts from the 1960s, or right up to the 1980s. Plenty of people spoke in a type of Hiberno-RP, perhaps even your own grandparents did. You still hear that way of speaking among some elderly people (as, despite his energy and politics, Michael D is, too).

Michael D is very much a product of that time, but his progressive views certainly are not, and that is what matters.

And by the way, Michael D is in no way reluctant to talk about his humble upbringing. He references it repeatedly in his poetry and public speech, sometimes celebrating it, sometimes using it to expose the evils of poverty; but always with brutal honesty. Anyone accusing Michael D of affectation might have heard his voice, but has seemingly never listened to him.