Ashamed to be Irish!

Scruff101 · 17-03-2005 08:22PM #1

Today is St. Patricks Day...a day which is supposedly meant to be used as a means of celebrating our nationality! After my experiences today I think 'St. Patricks Day' is an outdated concept that should be done away with! All it is is an excuse for people (mostly underage) to get well and truly off their faces and ruin the day for everyone else!

Walking up Grafton St. today I felt like i was in some different city or a parallel universe, almost everyone was drunk, people were drinking out of cans or bottles, people were either falling around the place or being held up by their friends and others were trying to pick fights with passers-by! Meanwhile the Guards stood by just waiting for something to happen...which it did a number of times! In the space of 3 hours I saw an ambulance on Grafton St. 4 times and I saw people being handcuffed by the Guards 5 or 6 times!
Myself and my friend decided to see if Temple Bar was as bad as Grafton St! We were Just crossing Dame St. over to the Bank of Ireland when we saw a group of 5 girls (no more than 17 years of age) getting into a fight with 2 other girls.....several men stood by cheering and another man was recording the whole thiing on his camera!! One of the girls was being kicked and when her friend tried to help her she was turned on by the group of 5 girls, punched in the face and thrown against the gates of the bank!
Eventually the 2 girls got away! At this stage we had gotten across the street(the lights had been red) and we were walking behind the 2 girls towards the Temple Bar area! Myself and my friend realised that neither of them were Irish! We stopped them to ask if they were ok,one of them was crying her eyes out and the other was in complete shock! They had been set upon by the 5 for NO reason! One of the thugs stuck a sticker on one of the girls backs and she took it off & threw it on the ground, when the group saw her throwing the sticker away they started to hit her!! This was the ONLY reason...the girls had just been walking along looking for somewhere to go for food!! We brought them into the toilets in the Bank bar to get them some ice for their badly beaten faces and to calm them down a bit! The 2 girls were Canadians in Ireland for the week specially for St. Patricks week! These girls will not be back! Im sure our attempts at telling them that this is not the norm fell on deaf ears! They are here until Monday and will not be back into town...they are going to stay around Clontarf (where their B&B is) for the next few days! We stayed with the girls for around an hour and got a taxi for them!

Today I have to say I am ashamed to be Irish...if this is what celebrating our Irishness is all about I give up! A Thousand Welcomes....yeah right!! The Fighting Irish now has a whole new meaning for me!

Rant over!

Plunky · 17-03-2005 08:34PM

This is a ridiculous but scarily very fair an true account of what happens in Dublin on a Daily basis. People have to realise that no longer are we the saints and scholars of old. We're a country of some thugs and ruffians now, and that small minority are what people see, and what they base their impression of Ireland on. Fortunately I'm in New Ross this Paddy's day, even though I live in Dublin, and I've been having a great day. We've had a civilised day, went back about 20 years in time at the parade. it was a real irish one, as opposed to one full of American marching bands. It even had tractors in it - so cool! But yeah, having experienced MY Patrick's day, I gotta say I'm proud to be irish, though I am aware that a bunch of horrible Irish people exist out there...

xeduCat · 17-03-2005 08:35PM

I agree. The morning I like, the afternoon I can handle, and the evening is one of the most obnoxious times to be in Dublin. So I hide.

WexCan · 17-03-2005 08:37PM

My trip home from work brought me from the Luas station at the Green to the number 7 bus stop at the bottom of Grafton Street. The streets were filthy, bottles were being smashed all around and apart from feeling so ashamed to be Irish, I felt scared walking the streets of Dublin in broad dayliight. At the bus stop, a drunk girl with a belt of a skirt was pushed up against the wall beside me:

Drunk Skanger Guy: "Whereya from? Kildare? Six euro ok?"

I swear he would have raped her right there on the street. I'm schocked and to be honest the whole in-town experience was sickening.

Chris

DrIndy · 17-03-2005 08:46PM

Its scary where these people appear from! They must be living normally in dublin most of the time and then when paddys day comes along they crawl out from under the stone and act the complete tit!

I saw a lot of the Guards confiscating cans of beer from the yobs - and fair dues to their zero tolerance.......

Scruff101 · 17-03-2005 08:47PM

It was completely bizzare...was meant to be going out tonight but Im glad I went out last night cos there is no way I want to take any part in this joke of a 'Holy' Day!! I'm happy enought sitting in my room in New Square away from that mess!
Today I went to the parade..it was the 1st time I was at the parade in Dublin and my friend and I were commenting on how much better the parade was in Dublin compared to the country towns we are from!
But now having witnessed the post-parade 'celebrating' I will happily spend every St.Patricks Day from now on looking at the tractors, trucks, and boy scouts that form the majority of the parade at home if it means I can do my post-celebrating in comfort!!

FX Meister · 17-03-2005 08:51PM

That's why I stay away from town of St. Patricks Day.

Pet · 17-03-2005 08:54PM

Yuck. It's absolutely shameful isn't it? I'm ashamed for the country when I see tourists walking around the "city" on even a good day. But on a day like today, I literally cringe with embarrassment.

nlgbbbblth · 17-03-2005 09:03PM

Plunky wrote:

Fortunately I'm in New Ross this Paddy's day, even though I live in Dublin, and I've been having a great day.

ah my hometown.
Richie's is a great place to drink on St Patrick's Day.

Hitchhiker's Guide to... · 17-03-2005 09:40PM

Went through Temple Bar for a bit - it is absolutely scary right now.

The Lord Mayor was right to try and ban drink sales until 6pm today.

Plunky · 17-03-2005 09:57PM

nlgbbbblth wrote:

ah my hometown.
Richie's is a great place to drink on St Patrick's Day.

Was in the Theatre Tavern earlier, now at my mate's house

17-03-2005 10:42PM

I´m writing this from Barcelona - right now, I can´t but be proud to be irish. I´ve just come from a restaurant where 78 other engineers had food and drink, where we irish danced and sang. We didn´t puke all over the place, we literally made the place become alive. I was stopped today by a Galway man who literally started chatting to me - this is the friendliness irishness is built on. I´ve had an amazing day - usually I spend my day drinking in doyle´s with my mates at home, which I enjoy. But today is fantastic. Not just the weather is great, the entire atmosphere is fantastic. Its very hard to explain, but you only realise what it is to be irish once you go away.

moshpit77 · 17-03-2005 10:45PM

what gets me is that its the same f.uckers that complain about drunks on paddys day that go to oxegen and get sh1t arsed off their face on E and say it's all the rock and roll lifestyle

if you don't get drunk on paddies day don't be jealous. get over it

uberpixie · 17-03-2005 10:48PM

There is a reason most taxi drivers try avoid working paddies day.

Talk to any driver and they will always say paddies day is the only day they would never try to work on.

nlgbbbblth · 17-03-2005 11:30PM

Plunky wrote:

Was in the Theatre Tavern earlier, now at my mate's house

Tavern is good for a late drink. Had better atmosphere about ten years ago. Good smoking facilities though. And it is better than that hellhole Mick Malone's (Spider's)

FX Meister · 17-03-2005 11:34PM

moshpit77 wrote:

what gets me is that its the same f.uckers that complain about drunks on paddys day that go to oxegen and get sh1t arsed off their face on E and say it's all the rock and roll lifestyle

if you don't get drunk on paddies day don't be jealous. get over it

You sound lika a spa.

Enii · 17-03-2005 11:40PM

I don't think it is just an irish thing on St. Paddy's day. i was in Australia for Anzac and Australia day and it was pretty much the same thing - a big excuse for a piss up..... The worst thing with us Irish is that it is every weekend.

Ilac · 17-03-2005 11:41PM

Wish I was in New Ross...
It's so...hilly.

Jammer · 17-03-2005 11:58PM

its shocking. went into town at about 7, and tried to go into mericantile on dame st, they said "cant let u in, ur full of gargle!"..was like...WHAT? i hadnt touched a drop all day, yet they said i was full of it? cos i look a bit young (i'm 18..) and im male, they assume ive been drinking all day i guess..saw a fight outside involving about 12 people, said **** this so went home. not worth the hassle.

18-03-2005 12:52AM

Totally agree with the OP, today was my first St Paddys Day in Dublin and the whole thing was chaos. Saw loads of skanger girls getting into fights, ambulances and police being called, people off their faces with drink and I was only there the morning and afternoon. I really couldn't be bothered with the hassle of going out in the evening, can only imagine what it would be like. It's just embarrassing. I really wonder what the tourists think. I met some Spanish friends in the afternoon and they were just appalled. To be fair, the majority of people were there to have a good time and enjoy it but it's the thugs who set on people for no reason and want to cause trouble who ruin it for everyone.

DrIndy · 18-03-2005 01:52AM

Myth wrote:

I´m writing this from Barcelona - right now, I can´t but be proud to be irish. I´ve just come from a restaurant where 78 other engineers had food and drink, where we irish danced and sang. We didn´t puke all over the place, we literally made the place become alive. I was stopped today by a Galway man who literally started chatting to me - this is the friendliness irishness is built on. I´ve had an amazing day - usually I spend my day drinking in doyle´s with my mates at home, which I enjoy. But today is fantastic. Not just the weather is great, the entire atmosphere is fantastic. Its very hard to explain, but you only realise what it is to be irish once you go away.

Its true - I went to a pub in Drumcondra for a quiet few with some mates and it was grand - its the city centre is chaos as always.... we were dancing and got warned by the bar staff not to. Then we got a second warning. ah well... we reckon that McDowell must own the pub......

Talking of being Irish - whenever and wherever I am in the world and I don't know anyone else around and I want to go out, I just find the nearest Irish Pub - its guarranteed to have loads of irish and you instantly hit off with them all as we have the great thing in common of being in a foreign country. The time I went to the Irish pub in the Isle of Man (whilst visiting my sister) - I ended up going clubbing with a load of people I never met before..... it was sweet.

There is nothing better in the world than being Irish - shame St. Paddys day has ruined that for me.......

Scruff101 · 18-03-2005 11:46AM

moshpit77 wrote:

what gets me is that its the same f.uckers that complain about drunks on paddys day that go to oxegen and get sh1t arsed off their face on E and say it's all the rock and roll lifestyle

if you don't get drunk on paddies day don't be jealous. get over it

I go to Oxegen...people there might get drunk but they are there to have a great time and act accordingly in their drunken state...they don't go around like yobs trying to start fights and wrecking the campsite!

As for the same thing happening in every country....I spent last year in Spain and went to several festivals...people got drunk and nothing like what I saw yesterday happened...people were drunk but 'nice drunk' if you know what I mean! The 2 Canadian girls we helped also said that nothing like this would happen in the city they are from!

It's shameful....and there will probably be more of the same tomorrow night at Skyfest though it probably wont be as obvious cos it'll be dark!!!

Nietzschean · 18-03-2005 11:57AM

moved.... better suited to here.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 18-03-2005 12:05PM

Moshpit77 wrote:

what gets me is that its the same f.uckers that complain about drunks on paddys day that go to oxegen and get sh1t arsed off their face on E and say it's all the rock and roll lifestyle

You bitter toward Oxegen or something? that was the weirdest post I've come across in a while

Moshpit77 wrote:

if you don't get drunk on paddies day don't be jealous. get over it

Just doesn't make sense, how could you be jeaslous of someone getting drunk when it's perfectly legal and easy to do so yourself?

Megatron · 18-03-2005 12:27PM

I was working yesteday so i missed all the "Fun" but i went out for a few pints (4) with some mates, now we went to a fairly rough pub but it's thier local so i dont' mind. I was outside having a smoke , and this guy comes charging up the road , he had a "Angry head" on him, so i finish up about 15 secs after he has gone into the pub. As i open the door he's inside just smacking random people around the pub trying to start a fight. the doormen see this go in take him about and then the fight begins ... i just went back to my mates and we ignored it , but i saw a good few fights on the way home .

I'm truly embarrased on days like this, what is to blame .. the drink ? no , for years we have always got langers on a paddy's day , but did we try and kick the b*ll*x out of people , nope ... it's lack of respect for anything but yourself attitude that is what the problem is.

I've been in a few different citys for paddy's day over the years and only in Dublin do you have to try and plan to avoid the city center.

RuggieBear · 18-03-2005 12:39PM

have to admit i avoided the city centre as well....just didn't want my (english) girlfriend witnessing the drunkness, puking, violence and on street sex that i've seen down thru the years....

Mossy Monk · 18-03-2005 02:00PM

i noticed a huge increase in the amount of drunk scumbags roaming the streets of waterford last night. muppets they were. and what were the cops doing

sweet **** all

kenmc · 18-03-2005 02:10PM

yep - i avoided the whole thing yesterday. went for a walk in the country instead. weather was glorious, much nicer to be out and about doing something like that, especially after we've had such bad weather recently.
Was in barcelona for new years and had SUCH a great time. they sell alchohol openly on the streets there on that night. saw not a single fight. everyone was in great form. felt safer there than I ever did in dublin on new years, even wandering down little streets I didn't know.
we have really gone to the dogs. ppl actually boast about how out of it they were for weekends!!! I *hate* waking up hungover, cos you can do nothing for the whole bloody day. yet there's ppl who actually set out to get as drunk as they can, 2 nights in the weekend!!!! I love my beer, but at the end of the day you only get 2 days off work, so I try to make the most of them. Don't mind being hungover on work days so much though - least you get paid for that

(end of rant)

BobTheBeat · 18-03-2005 02:25PM

Most of us are super quick to slate the english yobbos, but the truth is we arent too far removed from them these days. It'll be inchicore uncovered soon

Jonny Arson · 18-03-2005 03:21PM

I would not go as far to say that I'm ashamed to be Irish but if there is any day during the year that makes me ashamed is St. Paddy's Day. I don't celebrate St. Paddys Day simply because it has turned into a complete joke of a day only about getting drunk. I never would dare to go into the city on Paddy's Day because I reckon the chances of me getting knifed would multiply by 100.

Ireland has a serious alcohol problem. These people who were getting pissed weren't celebrating Irishness or Irish culture, its just an excuse to get absolutely wasted for a day. On the other hand you could say that drinking yourself to death is a part of Irish culture.

We are a nation of alcoholics and its very sad. Where do we put the blame? I personally blame the parents who spend so much of their time drinking and not giving attention to their children thus when their kids grow up they will do the same. I also personally think alcohol advertising should be banned. Alcohol is glamourised through advertising and the media. This has got to stop.

We are an embarrasment as a nation and I for one hope St. Patricks Day is scrapped.

Kevin_rc_ie · 18-03-2005 03:33PM

i was walking around dublin city centre and unfortunetly i didnt see any street fights, street sex, or street vendors. however did see a lot of drunk girls that looked very young. which i think is terrible to see. i'm sick of this gender erosion why can't girls just start being girls again. i'm i the only one that thinks ladettes or whatever these stupid yobettes are thouroughly disgusting.
actually, come to think of it, saw some street urination and lot's of litter so that's not a very positive thing. for all the people that are suprised that dublin has a disproportionate amount of scum bags, WAKE UP, WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. the only thing exceptional about paddy's day, that instead of the usual dublin dirt bags walking around, we get all the dirt bags from the areas around the cc too.
i was trying to count how many ambulances i saw on my run down to the nitelink. double digits. i'd say an nurses or doctors on here have a few horror stories too.

Ashamed to be Irish!

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