Brexit Impact on Northern Ireland

Which is it by having orange on the national flag

I shouldn’t play your silly games, but I did list several eg (a direct quote from the internet from chat gpt - I haven’t changed a word) . Now maybe you will share some distinct Irish culture that exists nowhere else (your test), or would you like a few more northern Irish ones first?

**The Unique Expression of Northern Irish Identity Through Murals**

1. **Historical and Political Significance**: The murals in Northern Ireland, especially those associated with the Troubles, hold immense historical and political significance. They emerged during a tumultuous period in the region's history, reflecting the complex interplay of political, sectarian, and cultural forces. No other place in the world has experienced the same combination of factors that gave rise to these murals.

2. **Dual Narratives**: What sets Northern Irish murals apart is their duality. They represent a striking visual manifestation of the division in Northern Irish society, with both nationalist/Catholic and unionist/Protestant communities using murals to express their distinct identities and narratives. This duality is a unique feature not found elsewhere in the same context.

3. **Art as a Medium of Expression**: Murals in Northern Ireland served as a means of expression during times when political tensions ran high and free speech often faced restrictions. They allowed communities to voice their perspectives, grievances, and aspirations in a visual and often emotive manner. This use of art as a medium of expression is unique to the region's history.

4. **Cultural Evolution**: Murals in Northern Ireland have evolved over time, adapting to changing political landscapes and social dynamics. While they initially emerged as expressions of conflict, they have also been used to promote peace, reconciliation, and cultural heritage, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of Northern Irish culture.

5. **Tourist Attractions**: Northern Irish murals have become tourist attractions in their own right. Visitors from around the world come to witness these unique expressions of history and identity, further cementing their status as a cultural phenomenon distinct to the region.

6. **Ongoing Legacy**: Even as Northern Ireland has moved towards a more peaceful era, the legacy of these murals remains embedded in the culture. They serve as a reminder of the region's past and its ongoing journey towards reconciliation and a shared future.

In conclusion, the murals of Northern Ireland are a testament to the region's unique history, identity, and resilience. They reflect the dual narratives of its communities, the complexity of its past, and its ongoing efforts to shape a more inclusive and peaceful future. As such, these murals represent a distinctive and enduring piece of Northern Irish culture and identity.

Ref point 1. Absolutely agree with you. There is significant Ulster Scots tradition in eg Donegal. Not surprising since they only detached from us 100 years ago.

you might be shocked to learn that there are also some Irish traditions in owc, as you only left us about 100 years ago also.

hardly surprising

According to you it’s not either as castles exist elsewhere.

now can you give just one tiny shred of ‘Irish culture’ that meets your measure ie it exists nowhere else?

if you cannot then we can end this silly discussion and all accept that your definition of culture is absurd. In your attempt to deny northern Irish culture, you deny every culture in the world

So you’re claiming the Giants Causeway as unionist ? It’s been there for millions of years .

Ulster scots as a language is nothing but English spelt phonetically , like an Irvine Welch novel .

Potato farls aren’t exclusive to NI .

I dunno about "every man woman and child being better off due to unionist people insisting concessions were required. You have to really strain to get to this point.

They're (modestly) better off by comparison with the original protocol, but (markedly) worse off than they would have been under May's deal, which unionists voted against because they considered it unacceptable. And of course they're much worse off than they would have been under a softer Brexit, which Unionist representatives at Westminister opposed, or under Remain, which Unionist representatives at Westminister also opposed.

So what it comes down to is this; people are not quite as badly off as they might have been under the worst possible outcome of the DUP's union-undermining policies. The DUP have at best back some small fraction of the harm they enthusiastically helped to inflict on NI. And even that they have only acheived by making other people, who largely don't vote for the DUP, suffer.

I don't think its fair to characterise this as "unionist people insisting concessions were required". If you don't blame the unionist people at large for harm inflicted by the DUP's folly and ignorance, you can't really give them credit when the DUP remediates a small part of the harm they have done. Unionist people shouldn't have supported the DUP's pro-Brexit anti-NI anti-Union policies; they shouldn't now reward this for this tiny clawback; they should make the DUP history and replace them with representatives who will put the union first; and if they don't do that even now they can't complain about the consequences.

Taking the rough with the smooth, this has been a really, really bad episode for unionism, and the unionist cause - i.e. the health of the union - is still suffering from significant damage. While this deal might represent the turning of a corner, it's much too soon to hail it as that.

I agree with 90+% of your post. That pretty much sums it up.

I do think the unionist people followed the DUP like sheep into Brexit. But I do believe we eventually woke up and have found our way back to a better place.

I suppose one unforseen positive is that I think we (I’m guessing most people including you and me) are very surprised that with the last 7 years of disasters and crazy behaviour of the DUP, Brexit, etc and yet there was not a single % point increase in those who would vote for a united ireland. That is extremely reassuring. Now when we get things back on an even keel, and hopefully the Irish people get a chance to see sf in power in south, we should be assured my grandchildren will live as pensioners in the uk.

I partitioned nothing. Your forefathers done that.

I was simply referring to the reality that Northern Ireland has a distinct culture.

you know fine well that that sits comfortably with the fact that we have huge amounts of shared culture with Ireland, Scotland, etc.

my goodness, even my nationalist friends tell me that the GAA in Northern Ireland has a distinct culture from the gaa in rest of Ireland. Am I not right that even the Irish language is different in the north.

I am confident we are headed for a deal. When it comes to the ballot box there is a clear winner between those two groups.

the internal DUP battle is the relevant one atm and I think jeffry is winning that one - but it’s not over until the fat lady sings

I would discuss this with you if you would show the tiniest bit of integrity to the topic.

my parting explaination to this subject - you know anyhow.

I was referring to the reality that 1,000s of years of close interaction with Scotland 12 miles away, and over 100 years of partition. Setting aside those who lived around the border, there was very few southerners, travelling north and northerners travelling south during the 30 year conflict. Also, given the very strong British influence in Northern Ireland through Media, Westminster, laws, etc etc For you to suggest that there is not distinct cultures developing, that of course massively overlap, is just ridiculous . But I accept that this comes from a place of your own insecurity and trying to wish way the Northern irish identity.

Now I am going to try very hard not to be goaded into responding again to the silly nonsense