Famous Irish people who inspire you

smcgiff · 29-11-2014 01:05PM

conorh91 wrote: »

Denis O'Brien.

I recently worked with someone that worked with Denis very early on in his business life and he told great stories about Denis. Very modest beginnings.

We were both at a radio conference a couple of years back and Denis made an interesting speech about a subsidised RTE distorting the advertising market.

We both met in the bathroom while drying our hands and I remember thinking, you don't have a clue who I am, but I know a lot more about you than you'd imagine.

But for me it would be Michael O'Leary. Fellow accountant and all. :pac:

Right Turn Clyde · 29-11-2014 02:12PM

Seamus Heaney. A pretty obvious choice, I admit, but his work has meant so much to me these pack 6 months. Someone very dear to me passed away in May and since then I've just immersed myself in Heaney's poem and translations. Food for the soul.

DarkyHughes · 29-11-2014 02:17PM

Gerry Kelly MLA although some of the people he's met have gone MIA. lol.

Deise Musashi · 29-11-2014 02:35PM

Ernest Walton, (the park in Abbeyside is called Walton Park after him) and Tom Crean.

Tell me how · 29-11-2014 04:29PM

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

Luke kelly. One of the best traditional musicians to grace this country.

Or any country. I can't watch any sort of XFactor type show without thinking what would he make of the "superstar genius" title being bestowed on every second participant.

Those shows have a place as light entertainment but it is markedly different from the raw talent such artists as Luke possessed.

Sorry for going off topic.

Irish person who inspires me?

Expect I am in the minority by quite a margin but I always liked Michael McDowell for his passion and interest in making (what he thought) would be positive changes such as challenging the justice system and policing as opposed to maintaining the status quo but look where that got him!
We give out so much about one shower of politicians being the same as the last and nothing ever changes and so on and yet when there was someone who tried something different he got 2 fingers from the public. Even being leader of his party couldn't save which is a measure of the disdain people had for him.

castletownman · 29-11-2014 04:31PM

JP McManus. The people's millionaire. Genuinely comes across as philanthropic in his funding of various sporting interests, and is by all accounts a true gentleman.

Red Kev · 29-11-2014 10:27PM

Here's three......

1. David Norris. (Ignoring the letters scandal for this post).
As somebody who was willing to come out as a gay person, when it was not only illega,l but when open abuse intimidation and violence was nothing unusual, I have a huge amount of respect for him and his fight to legalise same sex relations and in so doing, did his best to drag us kicking and screaming into the 20th century on a moral basis.

2. Noel Browne: Stood up to the Catholic clergy and stood for what was morally right when far more powerful people hid behind their mothers aprons, he paid for it with his political career and his achievements are often gladly forgotten by his lesser peers.

3. Gordon Wilson: When it was so easy to spread hatred and revenge he did the exact opposite, one of many beacons of light in a very dark chapter of this islands history.

DeanAustin · 29-11-2014 11:11PM

i heart chewy louie wrote: »

Some lad who is good at rugby? Jesus wept.

He's more than "good at rugby".

I detest rugby but O'Driscoll is arguably the greatest sportsman we have ever produced. Incredibly skillful, brave and stayed at the top of his profession for over a decade. He also seems like a very nice fella.

If Jesus is weeping then it's not because someone thinks O'Driscoll is inspirational. Probably more to do with idiotic posts like yours.

Nidgeweasel · 30-11-2014 01:54PM

DeanAustin wrote: »

He's more than "good at rugby".

I detest rugby but O'Driscoll is arguably the greatest sportsman we have ever produced. Incredibly skillful, brave and stayed at the top of his profession for over a decade. He also seems like a very nice fella.

If Jesus is weeping then it's not because someone thinks O'Driscoll is inspirational. Probably more to do with idiotic posts like yours.

Wouldn't be a very convincing argument.

Berserker · 30-11-2014 02:11PM

Personally, I would look to business and the likes of MOL. He has created thousands of jobs in this country. I would have great admiration for the likes of Joanne O’Riordan too.

DarkyHughes · 30-11-2014 02:31PM

Bernadette Devlin I think is a absolutely amazing woman. She was on the front lines during all the major struggles during the conflict for justice in NI & is still fighting against the remaining injustices to this day.

Berserker · 30-11-2014 02:33PM

DarkyHughes wrote: »

Bernadette Devlin I think is a absolutely amazing woman. She was on the front lines during all the major struggles during the conflict for justice in NI & is still fighting against the remaining injustices to this day.

Your Gerry Kelly post above didn't get the response you desired, so you are trying again?

DarkyHughes · 30-11-2014 03:19PM

Berserker wrote: »

Your Gerry Kelly post above didn't get the response you desired, so you are trying again?

No the Gerry Kelly one was a joke. MLA - MIA you didn't get that?

Rhys Essien · 30-11-2014 07:20PM

mike_ie wrote: »

Tom Crean. Probably one of the most understated men in the history of exploration.

Tom Crean was an absolute legend.His book I would recommend to everyone.Some of the things they done in Antarctica were superhuman.Two other Irish men who were on the Terra Nova Expedition would not be known to many people.They also deserve a mention.

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

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

Two others were brothers Mortimor and Tim McCarthy
http://beyond-endurance.herokuapp.com/history/explorer/5

Diabhal Beag · 30-11-2014 07:30PM

Gerry Adams proved that with a sense of humour and an excellent twitter game that people can forget almost anything.

tomwaterford · 30-11-2014 08:14PM

DarkyHughes wrote: »

No the Gerry Kelly one was a joke. MLA - MIA you didn't get that?

got it all right...referring to the disappeared (missing in action??)...as someone broadly supportive of ira its just wasn't funny

as for an inspiring irish person I would say roy keane...an example to any irish person not to settle and to strive for the best preparation also noy being afraid to stand upto supposide figures of authority

lukesmom · 30-11-2014 08:18PM

Bono is such an inspiring humble man. His leadership skills inspire me greatly.

Twink inspires me so much with her quiet and unassuming manner.

ArtyC · 30-11-2014 08:26PM

lukesmom wrote: »

Bono is such an inspiring humble man. His leadership skills inspire me greatly.

Twink inspires me so much with her quiet and unassuming manner.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

For me dr Noel Browne. Such simple honest fair ideas, all destroyed by the Catholic Church

eyescreamcone · 30-11-2014 10:37PM

Noel Browne
Sean Lemass
Michael Collins

melissak · 16-03-2015 11:54AM