Are there any universally loved Irish people

bobbyy gee wrote: »

that was not his real father as his mother was a virgin

So he didnt know who his real father was?
That would be about right for a lot of the scrotes going around Ireland nowadays

Just to give a bit of input on some names mentioned

Paul McGrath. Very popular but not universally loved.

As I said on another thread lately I was fairly shaken to hear harsh racist comments from ppl in a city centre dublin pub in mid 90s when He was playing on tv - and comments that he “isn’t Irish anyway”.

Just on Michael d Higgens I know LOADS of ppl who can’t stand him so he’s far from universally popular.

Lot of ppl think he’s full of sh1t and a complete hypocrite and Champagne socialist type

On Michael Muireachtaigh I would say he’s closer to being universally loved but Even with him I’ve heard a few put downs over the years. People saying he is very self righteous and “up his own ass”.

Same with gay Byrne. Popular but lots of ppl thought he was a sneering snobbish condescending bollix.

Christy Moore another popular choice but I’ve heard ppl say he was a NIGHTMARE when he was drinking - angry foul mouthed ignorant type. Ppl in Kildare where I am located have a long memory of his boorish behaviour.

Bono - not a hope of being universally loved. Ppl seem to nurse a special hatred/begrudgery for him

Irish ppl can be a fairly harsh judge!

Edit - someone I’d nominate would be the man who played Miley Byrne in Glenroe - Mick Lally.

whisky_galore wrote: »

Maureen was part of the shouty theatre set from RTE early days. The jokes weren't funny even back then.

Joe had a certain cool in his latter years to be fair.

Any time I saw potter on old RTÉ clips it’s like she thinks she’s in a pantomime or something from around the 1920s and doesn’t understand there’s no need to roar and shout due to studio “microphones”

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Just to give a bit of input on some names mentioned

Paul McGrath. Very popular but not universally loved.

As I said on another thread lately I was fairly shaken to hear harsh racist comments from ppl in a city centre dublin pub in mid 90s when He was playing on tv - and comments that he “isn’t Irish anyway”.

Just on Michael d Higgens I know LOADS of ppl who can’t stand him so he’s far from universally popular.

Lot of ppl think he’s full of sh1t and a complete hypocrite and Champagne socialist type

On Michael Muireachtaigh I would say he’s closer to being universally loved but Even with him I’ve heard a few put downs over the years. People saying he is very self righteous and “up his own ass”.

Same with gay Byrne. Popular but lots of ppl thought he was a sneering snobbish condescending bollix.

Christy Moore another popular choice but I’ve heard ppl say he was a NIGHTMARE when he was drinking - angry foul mouthed ignorant type. Ppl in Kildare where I am located have a long memory of his boorish behaviour.

Bono - not a hope of being universally loved. Ppl seem to nurse a special hatred/begrudgery for him

Irish ppl can be a fairly harsh judge!

Edit - someone I’d nominate would be the man who played Miley Byrne in Glenroe - Mick Lally.

After his affair with Fidelma and poor Biddy crying. He did hit number 1 in Ireland though with broad to glen roe which was part of a talent show in the show https://youtu.be/mOpDtHr4f5c

He was a great stage actor and was sorely missed when died too young. dinny was also loved with his fake limp.

Even though the music meant weekend over and school in the morning.

palmcut wrote: »

Charles Stewart Parnell.

Richard Piggott and eventually Holy Catlick Ireland turned on him.

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

We can count out the 2 Mary’s mcaleese and Robinson too

Far from universally loved.

It is interesting to see how different people have widely differing opinions on the same person. It is also interesting that people from different age groups have their views tempered based on the time that they would have known the person. It is definitely news to me how people see Michael D but maybe not intentionally his role as president is interpreted differently. When he signs a controversial piece of legislation into Law, there is widespread condemnation of facilitation of the actions of the party in power and if he was left leaning as he espouses he would have rejected it. However the powers to reject said legislation is only of how it was drafted and negotiated was unconstitutional rather than whether the content was in line with his views.

Other people mentioned i would never have heard of before and I was looking them up as I read.

The people that seemed to be resoundingly accepted as meeting the Mark were the Dunlop brothers. And Dermot Morgan. But if asked in the 80s might have had a different answer as his satire on politicians would have been hated by a lot of the staunch supporters.

Another thing that is very interesting is I don’t remember seeing any GAA or Hurling player (maybe Christy Ring) when they have given so many Irish people the best times of their lives. Rivalries aside surely there are some that transcend parochial feeling to be seen for the heroes they are. Mick O Connell, Jimmy Barry, Pat Fox, DJ, sheflin, etc but none mentioned.

In terms of sport I’ve heard very critical comments on the following “legends”

Brian o Driscoll
Paul o Connell
Ronan o gara
Rory mcilroy
Conor mcgregor
Roy keane
Robbie keane

Maybe Barry mcguigan might make the list? Quite popular still

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

FAR from universally popular tho which is what this thread is concerned with

I’m taking it as universally (and I’m interpreting that as vast majority) in Ireland and not anywhere else. If a person has no real opinion as they don’t know anything, doesn’t really effect it.

Now, who wouldn’t love Robbie. He is one of our true worldclass professional sports stars who is down to earth, a good family man and proud of his roots and community,

joeguevara wrote: »

What demographic has this new view of Michael D Higgins. He is probably the most loved President in my lifetime and I’m going back to Patrick Hillary.

He is a believer in social justice but also follows through and includes students and young people from socially deprived areas when other politicians and advocates pay lip service.

Every speech he makes is a piece of art which includes literary references, educational references and examples to bring it to real life so people can understand it.

He is a Gaelgoir and is constantly promoting our native language while others deride it.

He has been part of major steps forward in inclusion in our country and not hid behind red tape. For example when the same s3x marriage was voted through by 1.2 million people, he signed it into law, not on a whim but knowledge even where people with no legal basis or case tried to delay or rescind with no other reason but hate.

To say he changes his voice is crazy. He’s sounded the same his whole life. He also treats dignitaries and less fortunate as equals and never allows pomp to trump human life.

And when you saw him shaking hands with the Irish Rugby Team dwarfed beside Devin Toner, you cant not love him.

For "promoting our native language" alone he is out. Its not my native language and I suffered endlessly in school having it rammed down my throat by mad people.

Now a huge waste of time and money. Fair enough if your into it but leave the rest of us alone.

Mary Kennedy.

Truthvader wrote: »

For "promoting our native language" alone he is out. Its not my native language and I suffered endlessly in school having it rammed down my throat by mad people.

Now a huge waste of time and money. Fair enough if your into it but leave the rest of us alone.

If you were cooked a fillet steak badly you hate the chef not the steak.

Honestly if you are Irish, you have no choice but accepting Irish is our native language as its recognised as such in our constitution. If you don’t recognise the constitution then i don’t count you. And promotion of our culture while integrating others is paramount.

Johnny Logan for Hold me Now alone. And mcgettigan and Harrington for Rock and Roll Kids. Another time when we were the best in the world.