Who is your Irish political hero?

JohnnyFlash

It will come as no surprise to the regulars around here, but it's Garret FitzGerald for me.

Who are your Irish political heroes?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIpUL9dAk0U

T K Whitaker

bobbyy gee

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

It will come as no surprise to the regulars around here, but it's Garret FitzGerald for me.

Who are your Irish political heroes?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIpUL9dAk0U

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/19/garret-fitzgerald-obituary

Omackeral

Jedward.

Michael Collins.

Fr Tod Umptious

Deleted User wrote: »

T K Whitaker

But Whitaker was not a politician.
He was a civil servant.

Fr Tod Umptious

If we can include NI politicians then John Hume hands down.

If we can't include NI then it's a bit of a head scratcher.

john123470

Maria Bailey

blinding

Michael Collins if he had not been daft enough to get himself killed at Béal Na Bláth.

Montage of Feck

Dr. Noel Browne

Overheal

gemma o'doherty of course

bobbyy gee

Gerry Adams
https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/27/world/europe/gerry-adams-fast-facts/index.html

SchrodingersCat

John Hume. He put peace before his party when he invited Sinn Fein to the negotiation table.

bobbyy gee

blinding wrote: »

Michael Collins if he had not been daft enough to get himself killed at Béal Na Bláth.

maybe not
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20199508.html

blinding

bobbyy gee wrote: »

maybe not
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20199508.html

The Times that were in it for both sides.

DangerScouse

Ronald Regan

Wanderer78

DangerScouse wrote:

Ronald Regan

He went downhill though when he threw the leg over Maggie

Gervais08

Wanderer78 wrote: »

He went downhill though when he threw the leg over Maggie

And we’re done with breakfast ...!!!

Rodney Bathgate

Probably Enda Kenny

Yurt2

DangerScouse wrote: »

Ronald Regan

I've never understood the Ronald Reagan (one would think hero worship would extend to knowing how his name was spelled) sycophancy.

The record shows he spent most of his presidency asleep and reading sunny-side-up rhetoric about America's greatness from script put under his nose by aides. Much like Trump, his cognitive faculties were very much under question during his presidency and anything of significance was crafted almost exclusively by his cabinet and he just signed off on things.

Republicans back-filled a history of 'the legend of Reagan' after he left office that has proven curiously useful in courting the naive.

Smee_Again

Hard to look past John Hume, one of the few Irish politicians to put his country before his party or himself.

the purple tin

Yurt! wrote: »

I've never understood the Ronald Reagan (one would think hero worship would extend to knowing how his name was spelled) sycophancy.

The record shows he spent most of his presidency asleep and reading sunny-side-up rhetoric about America's greatness from script put under his nose by aides. Much like Trump, his cognitive faculties were very much under question during his presidency and anything of significance was crafted almost exclusively by his cabinet and he just signed off on things.

Republicans back-filled a history of 'the legend of Reagan' after he left office that has proven curiously useful in courting the naive.

Don't forget Iran-Contra.

coinop

Justin Barrett. Until he established the National Party, Irish politics only had the illusion of an opposition. Every single political party in the country, major or minor, all agreed on the main issues. Pro homosexual marriage, pro mass immigration, pro abortion. Justin Barrett’s party finally provides the Irish electorate with a choice and that can only be a good thing.

EmmetSpiceland

Montage of Feck wrote: »

Dr. Noel Browne

Mine too.

Smee_Again

coinop wrote: »

Justin Barrett. Until he established the National Party, Irish politics only had the illusion of an opposition. Every single political party in the country, major or minor, all agreed on the main issues. Pro homosexual marriage, pro mass immigration, pro abortion. Justin Barrett’s party finally provides the Irish electorate with a choice and that can only be a good thing.

That they’ve wholeheartedly rejected at every opportunity 😂

Wanderer78

coinop wrote:

Justin Barrett. Until he established the National Party, Irish politics only had the illusion of an opposition. Every single political party in the country, major or minor, all agreed on the main issues. Pro homosexual marriage, pro mass immigration, pro abortion. Justin Barrett’s party finally provides the Irish electorate with a choice and that can only be a good thing.

Who? Think Ronnie got the leg over here to!

FrancieBrady

For what and who he delivered it has to be Gerry Adams.

SchrodingersCat wrote: »

John Hume. when he invited Sinn Fein to the negotiation table.

Factually wrong...Fr Alex Reid was the person who began the process as a go between Adams (SF) and the SDLP. He was ignored by Seamus Mallon by the way before approaching Hume.
Adams and Reid actually formulated the idea that the peace could only come by a joint approach by the 'Irish' interests.
the proper FACTUAL view is that Hume was invited by the two above and while his party demurred, Hume accepted the 'invitation'.

osarusan

For modern Ireland, it's John Hume. Puts pretty much everybody else in the ha'penny place as far as I am concerned.


Within the context of the ROI, Garret Fitzgerald could have been one of our greatest, but things never fully aligned for him.


When you look back on the list of Taoisigh over the past 50 years, it goes like this (some holding the office more than once):

Jack Lynch, Liam Cosgrave, Charles Haughey, Garret Fitzgerald, Albert Reynolds, John Bruton, Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, Enda Kenny, Leo Varadker, Micheal Martin.

It's a pretty uninspirational collection really. You have to go back to Lemass for somebody who combined vision and real results.

Eric Cartman

Peter casey, went from dead last in a presidential race to getting 1/4 of the votes of the nation by being brave enough to speak out against the rampant abuse of government money by travellers. A brave man in a time where theres so much pressure and intimidation from pavee point on the media and journalists to gloss over the criminality and entitlement culture within the travelling community that is the single biggest detracting force in rural Ireland

Cookie_Monster

Still waiting...

Sorry about that

Seán Lemass, for the introduction of children's allowance in 1943.

Hodors Appletart

Wolfe Tone

Or Arthur Griffith

Or CSP

Or

Roger Casement

Casement was a good man and exposed the Belgian atrocities in the Congo among other things.

Daniel O'Connell did some great things too

(now, judged by today's standards some of these people may have some weird skeletons, but I don't get involved in applying today's social justice standards to historical figures operating in a completely different time)

a very cool kid

It's either

Seán Lemass - our first real Taoiseach who wanted to improve Ireland and not just fight the British

Donogh O Malley - just declared free secondary education himself one day

Dr Noel Browne - not perfect, but made huge strides in healthcare

Albert Reynolds - again, far from perfect but he put in an awful lot of the foundation to attracting foreign investment and giving birth to modern Ireland and the Irish Hare economy. Went from having a standard of living way below that of the UK to substantially higher (on average) a lot down to his good work

Edgware

Terence McSwiney

blinding

osarusan wrote: »

For modern Ireland, it's John Hume. Puts pretty much everybody else in the ha'penny place as far as I am concerned.


Within the context of the ROI, Garret Fitzgerald could have been one of our greatest, but things never fully aligned for him.


When you look back on the list of Taoisigh over the past 50 years, it goes like this (some holding the office more than once):

Jack Lynch, Liam Cosgrave, Charles Haughey, Garret Fitzgerald, Albert Reynolds, John Bruton, Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, Enda Kenny, Leo Varadker, Micheal Martin.

It's a pretty uninspirational collection really. You have to go back to Lemass for somebody who combined vision and real results.

You definitely have to go back as far as Sean Lemass before you could give any of that lot even a Smidgen of Respect.

ILoveYourVibes

John Hume and Seamus Mallon.

Fr Tod Umptious

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

But Whitaker was not a politician.
He was a civil servant.

T K Whitaker was, among many other things, a Senator for over a decade.

edit: several years, maybe, rather than a decade.

But I'd argue that most of his roles from Governor of the CB onward were also fairly explicitly political

paw patrol

there are a few champions in the the north - john hume and david irvine probably the best two. Although credit to all who ended the troubles.


I find the republic I don't have any heroes , they are all flawed but with some excellent stand outs.


Growing up I always liked a guy called Ray Crotty. he was an economist who took the state to court and won determining that all EU treaties required a referendum - otherwise the state would just have rubber stamped everything.

He knew the score with the EEC (EU) , he ran for election MEP too got 25000 votes.

gmisk

paw patrol wrote: »

there are a few champions in the the north - john hume and david irvine probably the best two. Although credit to all who ended the troubles.


I find the republic I don't have any heroes , they are all flawed but with some excellent stand outs.


Growing up I always liked a guy called Ray Crotty. he was an economist who took the state to court and won determining that all EU treaties required a referendum - otherwise the state would just have rubber stamped everything.

He knew the score with the EEC (EU) , he ran for election MEP too got 25000 votes.

I would also add Seamus Mallon if we are allowed nordie politicians
Of the current crop I really like Naomi Long from the alliance

Constance Markiewicz. A true revolutionary.

Helped establish Dáil Éireann and was the first woman to be elected to and serve there. First woman elected to Westminster and first woman in Europe to hold a cabinet position.

suicide_circus

Michael McDowell's 2004 citizenship referendum was good. His banning of drinks promos was bad.

James Brown

coinop wrote: »

Justin Barrett. Until he established the National Party, Irish politics only had the illusion of an opposition. Every single political party in the country, major or minor, all agreed on the main issues. Pro homosexual marriage, pro mass immigration, pro abortion. Justin Barrett’s party finally provides the Irish electorate with a choice and that can only be a good thing.

Ah the Pro Israeli, anti Palestinian who likes to watch the dominoes fall. This makes a lot of sense.

rocketspocket

May not be a popular vote but has to be Bertie for me - Always found him very impressive politician and & the drive that he put into the GFA...

paw patrol

gmisk wrote: »

I would also add Seamus Mallon if we are allowed nordie politicians
Of the current crop I really like Naomi Long from the alliance

true, Mallon is often caught in Humes shadow.

patsman07

Surprised nobody has mentioned Daniel O'Connell yet.

A liberal reformer, who probably attracted a larger number of supporters than any Irish political leader, his monster meetings were attended by hundreds of thousands of people. He achieved Catholic emancipation and despite his own faith worked for the seperation of Church and State, Something we still need to achieve in my opinion. Also he committed himself to non-violence, was a major player in the abolition of slavery and stood up for human rights at a time when it wasn't popular or politically expedient to do so. Even going so far as to criticise the Pope for his mistreatment of Jews.

DonalK1981

Current choices would include Pearse Doherty, Mick Wallace, Clare Daly, Ming, Catherine Connolly, Joan Collins, Eamon O Cuiv and Ireland's first female Taoiseach in waiting and first leader who will not hail from either FF or FG Mary Lou McDonald. I am including MLM on the hope that if given the chance a change would do the country good.

Reasons being they either fight against corrupt practises and/or represent the interests of their constituents without using the office as a meal ticket. Those mentioned, in my opinion at least, would do the job they do without pay.

James Brown

No hero. I thought G. Fitzgerald was likable and sincere. I like Michael D. especially that dressing down he gave the Tea party.
I admire all the players brought peace to the north.
Our governments and Taoisigh mostly read like a rogues gallery.

blinding

patsman07 wrote: »

Surprised nobody has mentioned Daniel O'Connell yet.

A liberal reformer, who probably attracted a larger number of supporters than any Irish political leader, his monster meetings were attended by hundreds of thousands of people. He achieved Catholic emancipation and despite his own faith worked for the seperation of Church and State, Something we still need to achieve in my opinion. Also he committed himself to non-violence, was a major player in the abolition of slavery and stood up for human rights at a time when it wasn't popular or politically expedient to do so. Even going so far as to criticise the Pope for his mistreatment of Jews.

Catholics could do with a Fella like that these days ! !

blackwhite

DonalK1981 wrote: »

Mick Wallace

Reasons being they either fight against corrupt practises and/or represent the interests of their constituents without using the office as a meal ticket. Those mentioned, in my opinion at least, would do the job they do without pay.

:pac::pac::pac:

DonalK1981

blackwhite wrote: »

:pac::pac::pac:

Okay, if he didn't have a tax bill he might! Anyway, himself and Daly have been highlighting mismanagement of Shannon Airport, and he has been looking into NAMA where it doesn't look like the management agency was looking after the national assets in the best intentions.

For Forks Sake

john123470 wrote: »

Maria Bailey

Swing and a miss