Ooh Ah Up The Ra

[AustinPowers]

At the end of the day, the Irish, the British and Americans love military commemorations. All have militaristic national anthems and songs of defeating the enemy. There's other countries too but I'd say these 3 more than any. Something in the Celtic-Gael—Anglo mindset that loves this and that's where poppy facism comes from too, or don't you dare insult American troops fighting for freedom to a Yank. Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Fein all love their military commemorations, often for highly suspect individuals - but because they fought the good fight for Irish freedom, they are heroes.  Most won't like to admit it but Ooh Ah Up the Ra is no different than English people singing Two World Wars and One World Cup or Loyalists singing No Surrender. We may not like the English and Loyalist jingoism but equally they don't like ours. On top of this you have a rightfully angry youth with the establishment and the old joke about Jesus being Irish because he was 33 and still living at home with his mother (and she thought he was God) is now actually true based on latest stats of young people living at home - except of course for a couple of days when they get to live in a tent at Electric Picnic. Add to this the rising anti-Emigrant feeling (and DUP fundamentalists like Wallace Thompson looking to a New White Christian Ireland) and we are all now on the one Road - to Irexit. All together now boys and girls - we're on the one road...

Do you  think Ireland is heading that  direction? Is there  justification for a  referendum  within the next few years?

With support for the EU at ~80% and support for an Irexit ~10% (undecideds ~10%) I would severely doubt it, no matter what people say.

Where and when  are those figures from?

[Rossfan]

88-7 and 5 don't knows
https://www.europeanmovement.ie/ireland-and-the-eu-poll/

[seafoid]

88-7 and 5 don't knows
https://www.europeanmovement.ie/ireland-and-the-eu-poll/

Connacht/ulster 78% vs Munster 89%. Very interesting

[InnocentByStander]

Huge popularity for the Wolfetones now and in no small part/thanks to the outrage and hyperbole by the national media about the one line lyric in their 1989 Celtic Symphony song.



https://twitter.com/wolfetones/status/1698480736372662310

For people who have suffered at the hands of IRA violence they find it offensive. Surely you can see that? If that was a huge tent in East Belfast and everyone singing up to their knees in Fenian blood would you be offended?
I keep saying it, people want a United Ireland but these people don't want to have to do any of the work to achieve it.

The point is what the Wolfetones popularity has grown out of. A band that was in semi retirement that might have grabbed 100 or so down at the local pub and now talk that they should headline Electric Picnic next year.

The hyperbole by media created this and you said that yourself on this thread.

The reaction from media and politicians is ridiculous. Talk about a pile on. Carla Blackheart seems to be a cheerleader for this shite.

Varadkar set the  ball rolling though  before that

But maybe the   popularity  for the WT was always there ? There maybe wasn't  a festival about to  hold  them or  their followers

It has been happening up here in Belfast annually, and the same news headlines every year.

[seafoid]

#Jaysus

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/the-wolfe-tones-announce-3arena-gig-after-record-breaking-electric-picnic-turnout/a1914133869.html

[RedHand88]

#Jaysus

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/the-wolfe-tones-announce-3arena-gig-after-record-breaking-electric-picnic-turnout/a1914133869.html

Odyssey next??

[RedHand88]

I cant help but be reminded of the controversial film in Father  Ted. The more they say "down with this sort of thing", the more people will want to see them.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Was Gona say Stockholm syndrome (that's just wrong lol) but is it sort of like the Streisand Effect?? Mind head to one meself see what the fuss is about 😆

And uppa ra btw

[Jell 0 Biafra]

Are we entirely sure the people in that photo aren't headed for the exits?

[Itchy]

Are we entirely sure the people in that photo aren't headed for the exits?

All heading to join the Ra actually

[balladmaker]

Huge popularity for the Wolfetones now and in no small part/thanks to the outrage and hyperbole by the national media about the one line lyric in their 1989 Celtic Symphony song.



https://twitter.com/wolfetones/status/1698480736372662310

For people who have suffered at the hands of IRA violence they find it offensive. Surely you can see that? If that was a huge tent in East Belfast and everyone singing up to their knees in Fenian blood would you be offended?
I keep saying it, people want a United Ireland but these people don't want to have to do any of the work to achieve it.

The point is what the Wolfetones popularity has grown out of. A band that was in semi retirement that might have grabbed 100 or so down at the local pub and now talk that they should headline Electric Picnic next year.

The hyperbole by media created this and you said that yourself on this thread.

The reaction from media and politicians is ridiculous. Talk about a pile on. Carla Blackheart seems to be a cheerleader for this shite.

Slightly different context. In that it was the Irish Ladies soccer team. They made a poor error of judgement.

It's all connected. Without the over the top attention the Irish Ladies got from the media the Wolftones probably wouldn't even be asked to appear at Electric Picnic never mind attract many thousands.

Disagree on two fronts ... The Wolfe Tones were booked for EP23 before the Irish Ladies controversy started ... secondly, the group were pulling thousands even before that same controversy.  You don't get to be 59 years on the road unless there is a lot of substance, and whether you like them or not, The Wolfe Tones have a huge following globally.  As for the faux outrage from the usual quarters, the equation is simple, if you don't like The Wolfe Tones then don't listen to them and don't go to see them, but don't try to tell others who do want to attend what to do ... it's called freedom of choice. 

[Milltown Row2]

Exactly, and those that get their knickers in a twist about being up to their necks in .... need to stop listening to those songs and getting annoyed about it

[From the Bunker]

The Wolfe Tones show that there will always be an appetite for Nationalism in this country.

[Captain Obvious]

Disagree on two fronts ... The Wolfe Tones were booked for EP23 before the Irish Ladies controversy started ... secondly, the group were pulling thousands even before that same controversy.  You don't get to be 59 years on the road unless there is a lot of substance, and whether you like them or not, The Wolfe Tones have a huge following globally.  As for the faux outrage from the usual quarters, the equation is simple, if you don't like The Wolfe Tones then don't listen to them and don't go to see them, but don't try to tell others who do want to attend what to do ... it's called freedom of choice.

They have a loyal band of supporters and deserve great credit for going as long as they have however right now is the most popular period in their 60 year history. Maybe they were already booked for Electric Picnic though the crowd that turned up to the tent (as in the picture I already posted) far exceeded expectations and if booked again next year they'll have to play on the main stage.

I've attend one of their gigs myself about a decade ago in a local pub and it did not sell out.

[weareros]

Ballads and rebel songs are a big part of Irish culture and will always prove popular. Sometimes these songs are original creations, sometimes they are lyrics about rebels added to old airs. Sometimes they get copied several times over in the way The Patriot Game took the melody of One Morning in May, and then Bob Dylan took the melody of The Patriot Game for With God on Our Side. Sometimes the melodies of the old airs are so good, and new rousing songs are crafted that you'd wonder if people really know what they are singing about. They melody of Roddy McCorley - an excellent song - was reused for Sean South of Garryowen. Do those singing to the Wolfe Tones know they are singing about a rebel, but also an extreme right wing zealot, founder of the Limerick branch of Maria Duce (a seriously suspect Catholic fascist organisation). Probably no. The Orange Tradition too has their own folk songs. Sometimes lyrically they are much better crafted songs than the Irish side (which tends to go for more on the nose lyrics), whereas the humour in the Orange Songs like The Auld Orange Flute and The Ballad of William Bloat are top class. I suspect that is why bands like the Clancy's enjoyed singing from this tradition too. The Orange tradition too has borrowed liberally from old Irish airs, and these marching bands are often playing airs that are a big part of Irish culture - which sound harmless if you are only hearing the fife or pennywhistle version, but can have offensive lyrics added in, or equally be harmless enough like The Sash. The tradition on both sides ain't going anywhere, nor should it.  But some of it is quality stuff, and some is awful auld rubbish.