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Replying To tireoghainabu:  "We either live in a democracy or we don't, if a border poll is passed re- unification will happen. The influence of loyalists is confined to a few hardline areas in Belfast where they run the drug business and most local people want them off their backs. Brexit was a watershed moment with an Irish Sea border imposed against their will and barely a whimper out of the hardliners.
The days of threatening violence as Lloyd George did to Michael Collins in 1922 will not work this time"
Well those of you who live in the North would of course know better than us looking in from the outside. And I sincerely hope you are right. It would be fantastic to see a united and peaceful Ireland in our lifetimes. The vast majority of people just want to get by, and live their lives as healthily and prosperously as they can after all.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9699 - 13/03/2025 14:38:04    2596258

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If there was any loyalist violence in the event of a united Ireland what would be their aim other than to cause murder and mayhem and disrupt the country?
They would hardly be fighting so that they could somehow force the six counties join the UK?
The cause of Irish freedom going back from the time of the United Irishmen, the Ribbon men, the Fenians, IRB, IRA, all through the centuries had a just cause to free Ireland from occupation by a colonial power;
I don't see what cause the loyalists could have for an armed campaign after a united Ireland, if they can't stomach living in a united Ireland they are more than welcome to go and live in Britain as Arlene Foster said she would when a united Ireland comes into being.
I can see a border poll being called withing the next 10 years, Brexit has advanced the prospect a lot imo.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3149 - 13/03/2025 18:11:59    2596288

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Our Cavan Comrade forever admires Rory Gallagher (not the singer). He even has a signed jersey from the wet week he played for them."
Could say the same for the wet weeks he stayed in Donegal…which is every week up there..

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3680 - 13/03/2025 22:21:53    2596303

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Could say the same for the wet weeks he stayed in Donegal…which is every week up there.."
He lived with his family and ran a business there. Was a lot different to parachuting into Cavan for a few weeks of championship and then getting out of dodge again. Wouldn't blame him to be fair, hardly much to stay around for.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1172 - 14/03/2025 07:21:56    2596312

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "If there was any loyalist violence in the event of a united Ireland what would be their aim other than to cause murder and mayhem and disrupt the country?
They would hardly be fighting so that they could somehow force the six counties join the UK?
The cause of Irish freedom going back from the time of the United Irishmen, the Ribbon men, the Fenians, IRB, IRA, all through the centuries had a just cause to free Ireland from occupation by a colonial power;
I don't see what cause the loyalists could have for an armed campaign after a united Ireland, if they can't stomach living in a united Ireland they are more than welcome to go and live in Britain as Arlene Foster said she would when a united Ireland comes into being.
I can see a border poll being called withing the next 10 years, Brexit has advanced the prospect a lot imo."
It would be good if a border poll were called within the next 10 years because then the fantasy of it leading to a positive result would be shattered for a generation. And I'm saying that as someone who would vote yes.

With all the social tensions building up in the 26 counties we have never been more divided as a society. Add the 6 counties to the current 26 and it would just add another layer of chaos and deepen the rifts that are building up. There wont be a united Ireland in my grandchildren's lifetime never mind my own.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1997 - 14/03/2025 08:24:34    2596316

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Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "It would be good if a border poll were called within the next 10 years because then the fantasy of it leading to a positive result would be shattered for a generation. And I'm saying that as someone who would vote yes.

With all the social tensions building up in the 26 counties we have never been more divided as a society. Add the 6 counties to the current 26 and it would just add another layer of chaos and deepen the rifts that are building up. There wont be a united Ireland in my grandchildren's lifetime never mind my own."
You think a united Ireland would be a terrible idea but you would still vote for it, ???

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 387 - 14/03/2025 10:10:46    2596328

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Replying To tireoghainabu:  "You think a united Ireland would be a terrible idea but you would still vote for it, ???"
As one who is a keen follower of this thread, I don't think PoolSurgeon said that he thought United Ireland would be a bad idea. He did point out the rather unclear route that we are currently travelling with social unrest etc, could cause even more social problems if the absorbing of the 6 counties brought any further issues alongside. I think that the biggest hurdle would be on the economic side. I also, while in my twilight years, would vote yes, as I have always believed we would be stronger in every way as a single entity, but getting there will certainly never happen now in my life time, sadly.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1551 - 14/03/2025 11:11:47    2596339

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Replying To tireoghainabu:  "You think a united Ireland would be a terrible idea but you would still vote for it, ???"
No, you are reading more into what I've actually said. When you have a society as divided as we are becoming in the South and then add a long divided society in the North onto it, all you get is more disunity. For me, a united Ireland is an ideal that I cherish and for that reason I would vote for it but I dont see it as in any way practical for the forseeable future. We are a society in flux , as a country I dont think we have a clear sense of ourselves, and until we seriously begin to address that question of who we are and have an open discussion on it all talk of unity is nothing more than that.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1997 - 14/03/2025 12:46:28    2596347

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Replying To Freethinker:  "As one who is a keen follower of this thread, I don't think PoolSurgeon said that he thought United Ireland would be a bad idea. He did point out the rather unclear route that we are currently travelling with social unrest etc, could cause even more social problems if the absorbing of the 6 counties brought any further issues alongside. I think that the biggest hurdle would be on the economic side. I also, while in my twilight years, would vote yes, as I have always believed we would be stronger in every way as a single entity, but getting there will certainly never happen now in my life time, sadly."
Glad the volunteers of 1916 and who fought the tans after that hadn't the likes of your attitude anyway,
ah sure it's not the right time now, easy making excuses when all that's really wrong is you haven't the cohones to do anything.
You have to see the big picture and dream big. Takes courage and leadership.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3149 - 14/03/2025 13:43:33    2596353

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Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "No, you are reading more into what I've actually said. When you have a society as divided as we are becoming in the South and then add a long divided society in the North onto it, all you get is more disunity. For me, a united Ireland is an ideal that I cherish and for that reason I would vote for it but I dont see it as in any way practical for the forseeable future. We are a society in flux , as a country I dont think we have a clear sense of ourselves, and until we seriously begin to address that question of who we are and have an open discussion on it all talk of unity is nothing more than that."
People that don't want a United Ireland will point out all the possible difficulties and people that want to see a United Ireland will highlight all the benefits that would result.A united Ireland would definitely be good for Donegal which has been blighted by partition.A lot of the naysayers are even suggesting that 51% vote would not be enough but are accepting that 49% is enough for the border to stay.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1141 - 14/03/2025 14:15:55    2596362

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Glad the volunteers of 1916 and who fought the tans after that hadn't the likes of your attitude anyway,
ah sure it's not the right time now, easy making excuses when all that's really wrong is you haven't the cohones to do anything.
You have to see the big picture and dream big. Takes courage and leadership."
Stupid comment. There are 4/5 million people who you are going to have to convince. Not bully or coerce, no matter how big your "cohones". Your attitude won't go very far. Just have a little respect for the opinions of others. Listen and you just might learn something, although I doubt it somehow.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1551 - 14/03/2025 15:11:40    2596368

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Firstly a majority of 6 Counties voters have to vote for an All Ireland State...

Meanwhile those proposing such should be telling people their views on the type of State, Constitutional arrangements etc they envisage ,plus arrangements for those who identify as "British"

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2183 - 14/03/2025 16:28:52    2596378

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Glad the volunteers of 1916 and who fought the tans after that hadn't the likes of your attitude anyway,
ah sure it's not the right time now, easy making excuses when all that's really wrong is you haven't the cohones to do anything.
You have to see the big picture and dream big. Takes courage and leadership."
And the big man like you does of course

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2227 - 14/03/2025 17:25:07    2596387

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Replying To Freethinker:  "As one who is a keen follower of this thread, I don't think PoolSurgeon said that he thought United Ireland would be a bad idea. He did point out the rather unclear route that we are currently travelling with social unrest etc, could cause even more social problems if the absorbing of the 6 counties brought any further issues alongside. I think that the biggest hurdle would be on the economic side. I also, while in my twilight years, would vote yes, as I have always believed we would be stronger in every way as a single entity, but getting there will certainly never happen now in my life time, sadly."
Very valid post. There are so many factors to take into account, with economics and the state of our health system as someone else mentioned being the main ones. It is definitely not a case holding a Border Poll tomorrow and everyone in the South voting 100% in favour of re-unification sadly. The North would definitely vote "No" if it was held tomorrow. I believe re-unification will happen at some point in the future, but it's very difficult to say when.

county man (Limerick) - Posts: 1130 - 14/03/2025 19:19:41    2596395

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Replying To Bon:  "And the big man like you does of course"
Yourself and freethinker can hide under the bed.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3149 - 14/03/2025 19:59:02    2596402

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I know that I am biased but what a performance by Lisa and Aoife O'Rourke from Roscommon this evening/night, winning both their semi final fights tonight at the IBA Womens World Boxing Championships in Serbia. The goal medals fights will be on Sunday and will be shown live on YouTube.

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 703 - 14/03/2025 20:08:19    2596405

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Yourself and freethinker can hide under the bed."
Haha that won't happen mate

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2227 - 14/03/2025 21:46:54    2596420

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Yourself and freethinker can hide under the bed."
Like your Dongal forefathers did in 1916.

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 15/03/2025 07:29:44    2596441

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Firstly a majority of 6 Counties voters have to vote for an All Ireland State...

Meanwhile those proposing such should be telling people their views on the type of State, Constitutional arrangements etc they envisage ,plus arrangements for those who identify as "British""
Planning for re- unification has to be government led, if Sinn Fein are the prime movers in the process it would freak out the moderate unionists in the north. Michael Martin shows no signs whatsoever of pushing this agenda and the only hope of it happening is if Jim I' Callaghan takes over as leader of Fianna Fáil. No-one in Fine Gael is showing any interest since Leo stepped down.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 387 - 15/03/2025 11:40:45    2596462

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Replying To bad.monkey:  "Like your Dongal forefathers did in 1916."
Well they clearly didn't considering they remained part of the Free State.

Does your school not have any history books?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1172 - 15/03/2025 11:48:17    2596463

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