Flags & Culture.....

[Hardy]

What status has this sectarian gang to be invited to address the Oireachtas? I suppose we can expect the KKK in Kildare Street any day now. At least people vote for the BNP, but I haven't seen their invitation to use the Oireachtas as a propaganda platform.

[AQMP]

What status has this sectarian gang to be invited to address the Oireachtas? I suppose we can expect the KKK in Kildare Street any day now. At least people vote for the BNP, but I haven't seen their invitation to use the Oireachtas as a propaganda platform.

Surely this is a typo and you mean "Cultural and Religious Organisation"??

The 12th of July "Celebrations" have been awarded "Flagship" status by NI Tourist Board.  This means that three of them (including the one in Enniskillen) are being promoted by NITB as tourist attractions/events.  The OO is actually asking businesses to remain open on the 12th (complete heresy in years gone by) in order to service the vast hordes of tourists who are likely to come and watch unreconstructed bigots walking up the street wearing a bowler hat and carrying a brolly.

[Tony Baloney]

They are becoming a spent force in the North so why would they be allowed anywhere near Dublin?! Every opportunity that arises to hammer a nail in their coffin should be taken. Tell them to feck off.

[Eamonnca1]

Strangest thing I ever saw was the French tricolours flying from the lampposts around Whiteabbey. They must have liked the colours.

That's almost up there with Wilheim Frazer getting outraged at the sight of an Italian flag because it looks similar to the Irish one.

[trileacman]

A senior member of the Orange Order has appealed to the Government for permission to parade in Dublin.

Grand secretary Drew Nelson, who made history today when he became the first member of the organisation to address the Oireachtas, said Ireland would be a poorer place if the order's cultural heritage disappeared.

He also suggested the State had failed to look after Protestant communities in the border counties compared to the way the British government looked after Catholics in Northern Ireland.

Mr Nelson told the Seanad that one of the order's main goals was to improve north-south relations by holding parades in the Republic.

"There was one planned in Dublin a few years ago but it was unable to proceed," Mr Nelson said. "Our members in the Republic would welcome the opportunity to hold a parade in their capital city."

About 20 Orange Order parades take place in the Republic every year but none in a major city.

The only attempt to hold a major demonstration in Dublin - the Love Ulster march in 2006 - was abandoned after hundreds of protesters opposed to the Orange march rioted on the streets of Dublin.

Mr Nelson said the order completely understands the challenges such a parade would pose. "This institution and the bands which we support are the guardians of part of the intangible cultural heritage of not only Northern Ireland but also the Republic of Ireland," he said. "I believe that Ireland would be a poorer place if that cultural heritage disappeared."

On the issue of falling Protestant populations in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan Mr Nelson said the dwindled numbers compared to growing Catholic communities north of the Border. "This of course begs the question as to which state looked after its minority better," said Mr Nelson. "Many of our members from the minority Protestant community in the border counties of this state have spoken to me over the years of the communal uncertainty of their survival as a viable self-sustaining community."

He said many of them have spoken of their "fear of incurring the displeasure" of the State in any way.

The grand secretary, a key player for years in the Orange Order hierarchy, said it was important the Government is aware of the issue.

Mr Nelson also condemned recent sectarian attacks on Orange Order halls, which he described as the "demonisation" of the organisation by some members of the republican movement. He said continued resistance to the order's parades, including its annual Twelfth of July demonstrations across Northern Ireland, has a corrosive effect on Catholic-Protestant relations.

Mr Nelson called for accommodation and tolerance rather than segregation.

In his address to the Seanad, the grand secretary also thanked Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who invited him to the Oireachtas to make his address. He likened the gesture to that of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland last year.

"Together let us resolve that no longer will the burden of history stand in the way of normalisation of relationships," Mr Nelson added.

I'm not sure how dwindling populations of Protestants in rural counties is a sign that they are not being looked after any less than anyone else. Are we supposed to help them conceive or give them jobs?

That piece is gas!

[EagleLord]

That time of year again. The idiots and ignorant out in full force. Buntin and flags everywhere. Seen union jacks with UVF written on, rangers crest, queens face, norn iron flags, scottish flag. Jaysus they just cant make their minds up what theyre at atal. As part of their 'culture' festival, should they not start having history workshops/classes??

In Rathfriland, County Down, there is a big arch put up every year. On it is a red hand, picture of queen, rangers football crest, norn iron football crest.. few other things. Ye seriously have to laugh at how thick they are.

[AQMP]

That time of year again. The idiots and ignorant out in full force. Buntin and flags everywhere. Seen union jacks with UVF written on, rangers crest, queens face, norn iron flags, scottish flag. Jaysus they just cant make their minds up what theyre at atal. As part of their 'culture' festival, should they not start having history workshops/classes??

In Rathfriland, County Down, there is a big arch put up every year. On it is a red hand, picture of queen, rangers football crest, norn iron football crest.. few other things. Ye seriously have to laugh at how thick they are.

To be fair it's good to see support for some of the smaller clubs.

[LeoMc]

That time of year again. The idiots and ignorant out in full force. Buntin and flags everywhere. Seen union jacks with UVF written on, rangers crest, queens face, norn iron flags, scottish flag. Jaysus they just cant make their minds up what theyre at atal. As part of their 'culture' festival, should they not start having history workshops/classes??

In Rathfriland, County Down, there is a big arch put up every year. On it is a red hand, picture of queen, rangers football crest, norn iron football crest.. few other things. Ye seriously have to laugh at how thick they are.

Very retro.

[Onion Bag]

I was going through Markethill yesterday and they have it decorated all over the place, the majority of houses have union jack flags outside them but i noticed a house on the side of the road with this hanging from it, right outside their front door, i seen them before loads on telegraph poles and street lights but above somones front door, f**king disgusting

[thejuice]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/national-trust-in-giants-causeway-creationism-row-7917687.html

Northern Ireland(as it exists between the ears of the DUP) is in a different timezone to the rest of Europe. Only 322 years behind the rest.

[Eamonnca1]

I was going through Markethill yesterday and they have it decorated all over the place, the majority of houses have union jack flags outside them but i noticed a house on the side of the road with this hanging from it, right outside their front door, i seen them before loads on telegraph poles and street lights but above somones front door, f**king disgusting

I know. What a bloody awful font.  And what's the flag of St George doing in there?

[Oraisteach]

Gay Pride insignia in Markethill?  No, this is even too gaudy.

[Onion Bag]

I was going through Markethill yesterday and they have it decorated all over the place, the majority of houses have union jack flags outside them but i noticed a house on the side of the road with this hanging from it, right outside their front door, i seen them before loads on telegraph poles and street lights but above somones front door, f**king disgusting

I know. What a bloody awful font.  And what's the flag of St George doing in there?

The UVF obviously haven't had an effect on your family

[Eamonnca1]

Gay Pride insignia in Markethill?  No, this is even too gaudy.

Careful now. Someone might take you to task for not taking this seriously enough.

[michaelg]

Couple of points - Do the fuckwits who put up UVF flags outside their houses claim they relate to the original UVF from 1912?  Secondly, could they not be prosecuted for flying paramilitary flags?