HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

National Forum

Non-Gaa Forum

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Replying To zinny: "Totally agree but how many times when you are also abroad have you seen someone butcher the flag with writing or putting a picture of it, does that make you feel proud of that flag? I have proudly taken my Irish Flag and my Wexford jersey all around the world and apart form beer being spilled on the jersey nothing has ever touched either! The irony is that Irish people living overseas perhaps have an increased sense of pride in their culture than if they stayed in Ireland. The language is the biggest one - growing up in Ireland it was a burden, something that was rammed down the neck and as a result there was a complete lack of appreciation and pride in it. Once you are overseas and surrounded by people who speak their own language (non English speaking countries of course) and that language is such a part of their identity, that is really when you realize what you are missing." Couldn't agree with you more Zinny about the language and the writing on the flag. The government and academics that think they know best have a lot to answer for in the teaching of the language. As for the flag, idiots will always do stupid things. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 04:51:53 2640226 Link
Replying To GreenandRed: "There's never been as many college courses available Cluichethar, fulltime, part-time, classroom, online, blended. The standard of education being delivered from all courses is debatable." I think you're been generous in saying that the standard of education being delivered is debatable. Universities was always a place where students were thought how to think unfortunately not they're being thought what to think. Professors want their own ideals given back to them. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 04:58:42 2640227 Link
Replying To SouthGalway: "But it's great in the amount of choices for people now compared to not too long ago. It suits the person working odd hours and/or raising children, farmers, etc." I think universities in Ireland will have to start making more fulltime courses available online to combat the lack of accommodation for students. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 05:01:12 2640228 Link
Replying To FullOfPorter: "The government pared back third level funding after the financial crash and getting students from outside the EU is a large part of the the universities income. They pay huge fees. It's not stopping Irish students, course numbers way bigger now than they were 20 years ago, to the point of the time spent practical elements in some courses have been cut in half. Irish students also fee paying now but not as high as the international students, but I get the impression that there is a dumbing down of standards in some courses just to keep students going until they graduate and therefore 4 years of fees. On your first question I'd say a couple of things. Irish students now come out of third level with debt which was not the case 20 years ago. Also they will be relatively well paid here but they might get better pay in another country. Qualified doctors might be thinking, I've paid huge money on 7 years of fees and renting so I'm going to go where I can get the highest possible wage after all the work I put in. Same as a qualified person from Asia, they might get well paid relative to other people's salary in their home country but they can get an even better wage here." What you say is true but are Irish students unable to get into their first choice courses. They say there is a shortage of medical professionals but they limit the amount of space's available in universities to study these professions. It sounds a bit stupid to me. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 05:06:09 2640229 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "I'd argue many college course aren't worth the paper they are written on. Too many bogus courses. Big focus needed on trades and apprenticeships. There is a huge shortage in this sector. If I had my time back again id be going down that route. Great money and plenty of work. Many who went to college will find it hard get work in the coming years due to AI." You hammered a nail right on the head with this post yew-tree. Mind boggling why young people study some courses, I'd name them but I don't want to get hammered by silly people. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 05:09:19 2640230 Link
This will probably get attacked but I'm too old to care anymore. I believe in the right of return and what I mean by that is if you are of Irish descent you should be allowed to return to Ireland. If your ancestors were shipped to the islands by Cromwell or left because of the famine or for any other reason I believe that you have the right to return. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 05:18:51 2640231 Link
Replying To jm25: "I can only imagine it would have more backhanders then boris becker" Something like the current system so? Only with more houses being built? Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17248 - 16/10/2025 07:06:50 2640232 Link
Replying To Doylerwex: "Job seekers allowance by definition usually means long term. If you're on stamps it would be job seekers benefit which is temporary." Ah ok Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17248 - 16/10/2025 09:07:34 2640235 Link
Replying To Doylerwex: "This was in the labour party election manifesto. We used to have this through the corporations (county council). It was a travesty to get rid of it. Council properties were built and maintained to extremely high standards, building communities and offering proper affordable housing. The 90s ruined us." Really? I wasn't aware of that. I think it could be worth exploring again. I know young lads will always want to head away and see a bit of the world, but at the present time I don't think enough is being done to tempt them to stay either. It would be hard to set it up nationwide I suppose. It would be as important to set up a governance and accounting secot in parallel, for obvious reasons. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10081 - 16/10/2025 09:08:21 2640236 Link
Replying To SouthGalway: "Very true. Them courses that are poorly run will be yanked like weeds in a garden. Word of mouth, research, and choice will be their downfall. I agree with what someone said about Trades being so useful. You'll always find work whether in Ireland or wherever. AI and Robotics are already making a dent in other fields. The CEO of Ford Motor Company just got back from China and he was shocked at the amount of Robots there doing jobs." Read that article too. Photos of robots that looked straight out of Star Wars! Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17248 - 16/10/2025 09:08:45 2640237 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Really? There are a million people already on the Island who don't consider themselves to be Irish after hundreds of years." Most of them might not consider themselves to be Irish but that doesn't change the fact that they are Irish. The Orange Order is an Irish Protestant institution, founded in Ireland, by Irish people. If they choose not to accept that fact that's an issue for or with them, not where they are from. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17248 - 16/10/2025 09:11:35 2640238 Link
Replying To cluichethar: "I think you're been generous in saying that the standard of education being delivered is debatable. Universities was always a place where students were thought how to think unfortunately not they're being thought what to think. Professors want their own ideals given back to them." Agree on that too Cluichethar. Was more talking about the practical knowledge gained from some courses today. I see too much use of ChatGPT for assignments. Some lazy lecturers giving broad hints for exams rather than ensure all their students can practically apply any methods they teach. Some of those part-time lecturers are great, very accessible and will put on extra classes if they're asked. But for many lectures it's money for jam, some just reading PowerPoint they barely understand. I think the growing number of courses has diluted the quality of education but government will portray an increased number of people with higher education qualifications as a sign that we have a growing standard of education. I don't think we do. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8289 - 16/10/2025 09:23:12 2640240 Link
Replying To Viking66: "Most of them might not consider themselves to be Irish but that doesn't change the fact that they are Irish. The Orange Order is an Irish Protestant institution, founded in Ireland, by Irish people. If they choose not to accept that fact that's an issue for or with them, not where they are from." 32% gave their Nationality as "British" (only) in the last 6 Cos census . (29% Irish) 32% equates to c 600,000 people. Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 159 - 16/10/2025 11:10:57 2640265 Link
Replying To Viking66: "Most of them might not consider themselves to be Irish but that doesn't change the fact that they are Irish. The Orange Order is an Irish Protestant institution, founded in Ireland, by Irish people. If they choose not to accept that fact that's an issue for or with them, not where they are from." So you know them better than they do themselves! Mind you, you are in good company. Pearse had same idea. Early Provos were realistic. They are entitled to be ethnic group with protected rights but under a 32 county state, not under London. There are lots of ethnic groups around the world who do not consider themselves Spanish (Basques, Catalan being one off top of my head) or whatever 'nationality' is on passport. Ulster prods are the same. So are most foreign born people i know who consider themselves AND their children to be Polish etc. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3724 - 16/10/2025 11:12:27 2640266 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "So you know them better than they do themselves! Mind you, you are in good company. Pearse had same idea. Early Provos were realistic. They are entitled to be ethnic group with protected rights but under a 32 county state, not under London. There are lots of ethnic groups around the world who do not consider themselves Spanish (Basques, Catalan being one off top of my head) or whatever 'nationality' is on passport. Ulster prods are the same. So are most foreign born people i know who consider themselves AND their children to be Polish etc." Where you are born determines what nationality you are for most people Ive met here, with some exceptions, and also for most if not all countries when it comes to issuing passports etc, although alot of countries would give a passport to someone born outside the country but to parents from the country. In Ireland it is more extreme as in a grandparent will do. There are plenty such people living here born in the UK but to Irish parents who you conveniently forget when quoting your figures about foreign born people here. I actually know over a dozen just in the small parish I live in. All but 2 sound like they are from the parish as their parents moved home when they were children, the other 2 sound like they are from Birmingham as they didnt move home til later in life. Id be pretty sure there are 10s of thousands, or more likely hundreds of thousands, such people in the country. Everybody in the village considers them to be Irish, they consider themselves to be Irish, but you dont consider them to be Irish. On the other side of the coin Ian Paisley is Irish. His father, grandfather, great grandfather etc were all born on the island of Ireland. Most of them were born when it was all 1 country, albeit occupied, as in pre partition. There are probably numerous Irish people you know, possibly even including yourself, who's ancestors came to Ireland since his did. The fact is that if he chooses to label himself British he is wrong. He isn't from the island of Britain, he's from the island of Ireland. Had this debate with a good few protestant friends when I lived in the 6 counties ;-) Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17248 - 16/10/2025 11:45:38 2640272 Link
Replying To Seanfan: "32% gave their Nationality as "British" (only) in the last 6 Cos census . (29% Irish) 32% equates to c 600,000 people." There arent 600000 people in the 6 counties born on the island of Britain. Id put money on it. Maybe Barney will be able to get me odds from PP? Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17248 - 16/10/2025 11:47:37 2640274 Link
Replying To Viking66: "There arent 600000 people in the 6 counties born on the island of Britain. Id put money on it. Maybe Barney will be able to get me odds from PP?" Check th'oul GFA. Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 159 - 16/10/2025 12:24:17 2640281 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "So you know them better than they do themselves! Mind you, you are in good company. Pearse had same idea. Early Provos were realistic. They are entitled to be ethnic group with protected rights but under a 32 county state, not under London. There are lots of ethnic groups around the world who do not consider themselves Spanish (Basques, Catalan being one off top of my head) or whatever 'nationality' is on passport. Ulster prods are the same. So are most foreign born people i know who consider themselves AND their children to be Polish etc." There's a fair few Ulster prods in Donegal Cavan and Monaghan too Barney, and any of them I know are Irish and wouldn't consider themselves anything else, not in public anyway Is suppose, might be the odd bitter one about though. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3494 - 16/10/2025 12:57:26 2640285 Link
Replying To Viking66: "There arent 600000 people in the 6 counties born on the island of Britain. Id put money on it. Maybe Barney will be able to get me odds from PP?" I'd say most people that got out of the 6 counties and started a life in Britain or elsewhere stayed the hell away from the place and you wouldn't blame them. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3494 - 16/10/2025 13:02:09 2640286 Link
Replying To GreenandRed: "Agree on that too Cluichethar. Was more talking about the practical knowledge gained from some courses today. I see too much use of ChatGPT for assignments. Some lazy lecturers giving broad hints for exams rather than ensure all their students can practically apply any methods they teach. Some of those part-time lecturers are great, very accessible and will put on extra classes if they're asked. But for many lectures it's money for jam, some just reading PowerPoint they barely understand. I think the growing number of courses has diluted the quality of education but government will portray an increased number of people with higher education qualifications as a sign that we have a growing standard of education. I don't think we do." You most certainly put it better than I ever could. I agree with everything you said here. cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/10/2025 13:22:02 2640289 Link