2011 Census

[AQMP]

I've always held the view that a border referendum is a pointless waste of time and money.  Now based on these figures with just over half of Catholics seeing themselves as "Irish Only" it does not change my opinion.

The border poll forces the two governments to detail what a United Ireland would look like - that is needed before anyone can seriously consider the idea. It will also force unionists to debate the merits of a United Ireland instead of resorting the facetious. It's quite possible a United Ireland could fully encompass a regional 'Northern Ireland' - we don't know until the date is set and the debate begins. One thing we do know is there will not be an option for an independent 'Northern Ireland' so those who marked themselves down as that in the census (mostly Catholics) will have to choose.

Would the Unionists not resort to the tried and tested "you're financially better off in the Union" (whether this is true or not).

[Milltown Row2]

I've always held the view that a border referendum is a pointless waste of time and money.  Now based on these figures with just over half of Catholics seeing themselves as "Irish Only" it does not change my opinion.

The border poll forces the two governments to detail what a United Ireland would look like - that is needed before anyone can seriously consider the idea. It will also force unionists to debate the merits of a United Ireland instead of resorting the facetious. It's quite possible a United Ireland could fully encompass a regional 'Northern Ireland' - we don't know until the date is set and the debate begins. One thing we do know is there will not be an option for an independent 'Northern Ireland' so those who marked themselves down as that in the census (mostly Catholics) will have to choose.

Would the Unionists not resort to the tried and tested "you're financially better off in the Union" (whether this is true or not).

How many jobs in NI depend on government backing, would this be a reason for people to opt out?

[Cold tea]

Some selected administrative areas:

Antrim: (C)41.20   (P)50.48   (Other)0.93   (None) 7.39
Armagh: (C)48.36   (P)48.00   (Other)0.60   (None) 3.03
Banbridge: (C)32.02   (P)62.02   (Other)0.75   (None) 5.21
Belfast: (C) 48.58%      (P)42.30%   (Other) 1.72   (None) 7.40
Cookstown: (C)59.26   (P)37.78   (Other)0.48   (None) 2.49
Craigavon: (C)45.94%   (P)48.04%   (Other)0.91   (None) 5.11
Dungannon: (C)64.11   (P)33.03   (Other)0.56   (None) 2.30
Lisburn: (C)36.46   (P)55.92   (Other)0.84   (None) 6.78

Is the P for Dungannon Polish?

[Tony Baloney]

I've always held the view that a border referendum is a pointless waste of time and money.  Now based on these figures with just over half of Catholics seeing themselves as "Irish Only" it does not change my opinion.

The border poll forces the two governments to detail what a United Ireland would look like - that is needed before anyone can seriously consider the idea. It will also force unionists to debate the merits of a United Ireland instead of resorting the facetious. It's quite possible a United Ireland could fully encompass a regional 'Northern Ireland' - we don't know until the date is set and the debate begins. One thing we do know is there will not be an option for an independent 'Northern Ireland' so those who marked themselves down as that in the census (mostly Catholics) will have to choose.

Would the Unionists not resort to the tried and tested "you're financially better off in the Union" (whether this is true or not).

[/b]

Is there anything to suggest otherwise at the minute. Look below the border and it looks like an easy argument for unionists with the NHS, billions in free money via the block grant etc. with no requirement to pay our way economically. Strip away the political, religious and cultural elements of a referendum and the interesting part is financially what does the 32-county Ireland look like? More and more this is an important aspect of any vote.

[Cold tea]

I've always held the view that a border referendum is a pointless waste of time and money.  Now based on these figures with just over half of Catholics seeing themselves as "Irish Only" it does not change my opinion.

The border poll forces the two governments to detail what a United Ireland would look like - that is needed before anyone can seriously consider the idea. It will also force unionists to debate the merits of a United Ireland instead of resorting the facetious. It's quite possible a United Ireland could fully encompass a regional 'Northern Ireland' - we don't know until the date is set and the debate begins. One thing we do know is there will not be an option for an independent 'Northern Ireland' so those who marked themselves down as that in the census (mostly Catholics) will have to choose.

Would the Unionists not resort to the tried and tested "you're financially better off in the Union" (whether this is true or not).

How many jobs in NI depend on government backing, would this be a reason for people to opt out?

About 33,000 - I work in the private sector, within one of the government buildings - boy do they earn their money, they have a rota for half day christmas shopping on the go!!

[LeoMc]

I've always held the view that a border referendum is a pointless waste of time and money.  Now based on these figures with just over half of Catholics seeing themselves as "Irish Only" it does not change my opinion.

The border poll forces the two governments to detail what a United Ireland would look like - that is needed before anyone can seriously consider the idea. It will also force unionists to debate the merits of a United Ireland instead of resorting the facetious. It's quite possible a United Ireland could fully encompass a regional 'Northern Ireland' - we don't know until the date is set and the debate begins. One thing we do know is there will not be an option for an independent 'Northern Ireland' so those who marked themselves down as that in the census (mostly Catholics) will have to choose.

?

[seafoid]

Page 18 - less than 1% can speak, read and write Ulster Scots
Rioting  Ulster Scots seems to be better covered.

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

At first and after all that has happened in this part of the world I found the "Northern Irish Only" answer odd. But Is this an acceptance after 90 odd years of partition that this is really how things will end up and that we might as well accept it. The power and  influence of media in the north does seem to have a large affect on people's psyche.  I myself feel Irish only and have been born and bred in Derry but I have always been surrounded by all aspects of Irish culture from a very early age, it is easy then to forget that this is not the case for many northern catholics. I wouldnt read into the passport thing much, thats more to do with handiness and maybe cost, but I suppose if people arent prepared to pay a few extra quid for Irish passport they are not going to vote to give up UK handouts.

[AQMP]

At first and after all that has happened in this part of the world I found the "Northern Irish Only" answer odd. But Is this an acceptance after 90 odd years of partition that this is really how things will end up and that we might as well accept it. The power and  influence of media in the north does seem to have a large affect on people's psyche.  I myself feel Irish only and have been born and bred in Derry but I have always been surrounded by all aspects of Irish culture from a very early age, it is easy then to forget that this is not the case for many northern catholics. I wouldnt read into the passport thing much, thats more to do with handiness and maybe cost, but I suppose if people arent prepared to pay a few extra quid for Irish passport they are not going to vote to give up UK handouts.

Is an Irish passport not slighlty cheaper at the minute?  €88.50 using Passport Express (aaprox £70) against £72.50 for a British??

Edit:  If you go to the Irish Embassy in London it's £70.  EG told me

[LeoMc]

At first and after all that has happened in this part of the world I found the "Northern Irish Only" answer odd. But Is this an acceptance after 90 odd years of partition that this is really how things will end up and that we might as well accept it. The power and  influence of media in the north does seem to have a large affect on people's psyche.  I myself feel Irish only and have been born and bred in Derry but I have always been surrounded by all aspects of Irish culture from a very early age, it is easy then to forget that this is not the case for many northern catholics. I wouldnt read into the passport thing much, thats more to do with handiness and maybe cost, but I suppose if people arent prepared to pay a few extra quid for Irish passport they are not going to vote to give up UK handouts.

Is an Irish passport not slighlty cheaper at the minute?  €88.50 using Passport Express (aaprox £70) against £72.50 for a British??

Edit:  If you go to the Irish Embassy in London it's £70.  EG told me

Irish Childrens passports are cheaper. €35 for a 3 year against £60 for a 5 year.

[trasna man]

At first and after all that has happened in this part of the world I found the "Northern Irish Only" answer odd. But Is this an acceptance after 90 odd years of partition that this is really how things will end up and that we might as well accept it. The power and  influence of media in the north does seem to have a large affect on people's psyche.  I myself feel Irish only and have been born and bred in Derry but I have always been surrounded by all aspects of Irish culture from a very early age, it is easy then to forget that this is not the case for many northern catholics. I wouldnt read into the passport thing much, thats more to do with handiness and maybe cost, but I suppose if people arent prepared to pay a few extra quid for Irish passport they are not going to vote to give up UK handouts.

Is an Irish passport not slighlty cheaper at the minute?  €88.50 using Passport Express (aaprox £70) against £72.50 for a British??

Edit:  If you go to the Irish Embassy in London it's £70.  EG told me

Irish Childrens passports are cheaper. €35 for a 3 year against £60 for a 5 year.

A few young lads from here got Brit passports to go to America told me no need for a visa but they might have made it up to stop the piss been taken

[laoislad]

Should the thread title not say 2011 Northern Ireland Census.

[Milltown Row2]

Should the thread title not say 2011 Northern Ireland Census.

Aye right enough, do the South get a vote to decide they want us?? Ha would be wile funny if the North voted for a United Ireland and they (again) fooked us over lol

[Rois]

I think I chose "Irish" and "Northern Irish".

I grew up watching gaelic football, learning the Irish language in school, doing Irish dancing on a Saturday and watching RTE news at 9pm after Glenroe on a Sunday evening.  If I have kids in the future, I'll bring them up the same way (apart from the sad demise of Glenroe, god rest it).  And I'd vote for a United Ireland if it could be done peacefully in my lifetime.

But I also listen to Radio Ulster in the morning, I think (and spend!) in £stg and I enjoyed my last trip to Ravenhill to watch Ulster.  I don't rush across the border to buy Irish Tayto crisps because I prefer the good Tandragee ones - same goes for Cadbury's chocolate. 

These types of things set me apart from people from, say Cork or Dublin, but in no way do they challenge/threaten my affinity with "pure" irish culture.  I tried to answer the census questions honestly, not for any political purpose.  I even think I said I understood Ulster Scots, because let's face it, most of us do. 

[stibhan]

I think I chose "Irish" and "Northern Irish".


But I also listen to Radio Ulster in the morning, I think (and spend!) in £stg and I enjoyed my last trip to Ravenhill to watch Ulster.  I don't rush across the border to buy Irish Tayto crisps because I prefer the good Tandragee ones - same goes for Cadbury's chocolate. 

All of these things are Irish, and the attempt to ringfence any kind of 'Northern' identity to them is false. Ravenhill after all is the homeground of a 9 county Ulster rugby team.