Everybody else in the family is at the Commonwealth Games, so why aren't we?

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I think it would be great to see an Irish squad competing in Glasgow, even for Dublin to host the games.

Other than that, I can't see any advantage other than a bit of window dressing to keep unionists happy.

Maybe there could be a bonfire building competition?

Looks like Lightning Bolt has let the cat out of the bag. :cool:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/30/usain-bolt-commonwealth-games-2014

There's a poll aswell in the Guardian in Comment is Free:

62% believe they are indeed sh1t.

Ouch.

Now, back to Britain's influence worldwide ...

An Claidheamh wrote: »

I do suspect there is an underlying anti-Irishness in British people's complete dismissal of the European Union ...:eek:


... Of course not, because that would be stupid Strazdas, and we would have to have an inflated sense of self-importance to think so. :rolleyes:

Not quite the same thing though. The Commonwealth was known as the "British Commonwealth" for many years, which I imagine would have been like a red rag to a bull for Irish nationalists and republicans. I've no doubt there are plenty of Irish people who simply see it as an outdated anachronism but there are still presumably lots of armchair republicans around too who associate it totally with British royalty and British imperialism (even though the Empire in effect is long gone).

Strazdas wrote: »

Not quite the same thing though. The Commonwealth was known as the "British Commonwealth" for many years, which I imagine would have been like a red rag to a bull for Irish nationalists and republicans. I've no doubt there are plenty of Irish people who simply see it as an outdated anachronism but there are still presumably lots of armchair republicans around too who associate it totally with British royalty and British imperialism (even though the Empire in effect is long gone).

It is the same.

Implying people are "provos" for displaying common sense is so last year.

UCDVet wrote: »

As a non-eu kinda guy - what's the deal with the Commonwealth Games? I've never heard of them....is it basically the Olympics, but without all the best athletes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Games

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=commonwealth+games

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I wasn't trying to sell it. Membership would have little or no benefit to Ireland.

But, taking the games alone, Dublin could host an event like this and it would be a big lift for the country. It would also give a lot of Irish sportsmen and women a larger stage to perform in.

Unfortunately if Irish athletes can't qualify for championships, it would just give them a stage to humiliate themselves on.

Dublin/Ireland could host all sorts of events without just involving British ex-colonies.

All we need is a billion or so ...

UCDVet wrote: »

Ahh, thanks. Just like the Olympics, but without 9 of the 10 most successful Olympic competitors. Originally introduced to make conquered people feel happier about their being conquered.

Well, now I know.

You don't need to thank me to use google or wikipedia :pac:

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I wasn't trying to sell it. Membership would have little or no benefit to Ireland.

But, taking the games alone, Dublin could host an event like this and it would be a big lift for the country. It would also give a lot of Irish sportsmen and women a larger stage to perform in.

Sounds like something Britain would get more out of than Ireland to be fair, and there's no guarantee Dublin would ever be chosen to host. We don't really have an atheltics stadium for a start.