No, I’ve honestly never been a fan of tricolor flags; they just look boring to me. Sorry France.
I don’t even need to be bribed with reunification; I’d be happy to have a new flag anyway, if it were an improvement.
The anthem, I’m a little more attached to. I’d need to get reunification in exchange for that one. Unless it were changed to “A Nation Once Again”; that, I’d be happy to switch to right now.
Edit: but then again I suppose the song would only make sense after reunification since we would then finally be made whole.
It’s rather insightful that southern enthusiasm for unification starts to dip when they realise they might have to compromise and make accommodations with the northern unionists who they’ll then have to share a nation with.
This is why I doubt unity will ever actually happen. People don’t actually want change, it’s just something they say.
Why should we compromise for what will be a minority in a united Ireland? We didn’t change the anthem or flag before to suit any group in particular, why should we start now?
It’s not giving up a United Ireland, it’s delaying it until such time as those things need not be given up.
I don’t see any dire need for a United Ireland in this moment in time, I would rather see it happen later in my lifetime without having to give up symbols that our ancestors died for. The longer it takes to get to that point, the less divide there will be and the more seamlessly it will happen.
As far as I’m concerned, a United Ireland is an inevitability and there is no need for any concessions of that nature.
EDIT: The sooner it happens, the greater likelihood of loyalist violence as well.
Yes. Our flag is shit and we could do with a new anthem that reflects modern Ireland anyway. I propose This Is by Aslan
I’ll be honest. I’d rather not.
I see it as Northern Ireland is asking and voting on whether they want to join us, and we are free to accept or reject that.
As far as I’m concerned we don’t need to change anything like that at all and besides, the vocal minority is going to bitch and moan like there’s no tomorrow no matter what we do so I see little reason to cater to them.
I’d give it up for less, probably a free bet on my Paddy power account
News is very slow this week. Even the usual weekend poll fodder results are now bleeding into Monday’s publication.
Support for a United Ireland drops the moment the reality of having to subsidise the country place comes to mind. The Irish people are allergic to paying tax and refuse to lower their standards of living even to try and be more environmentally friendly what fucking chance does it have for doing all that for basically Belfast?
Then we get on to the fact that unionists exist in their many shapes and forms and a lot of people simply think they’ll just vanish or should just get zero representation. People still call them fucking invaders ffs. I genuinely hope we let the Brits keep the place, it’s north in but a fucking liability to keep hold of and what do we gain from it realistically??
Presidential standard would be a good flag or even dare i say a titty harp
A Nation Once Again for the anthem
Titty Harp for the flag
I think we can all agree on those.
Obviously it’s important to be accommodating to all citizens of a country but I am always apprehensive about making concessions to the DUP/Unionists, the flag I would change to the Presidential Standard no problem, the anthem I’m quite fond of I think we’ve one of the best but would they be the only two elements of our identity and culture that unionists demand removed?
We’re supposed to be a democracy, our electoral system was designed for the very purpose of giving minorities representation the intention being that unionists would still have seats in the Dáil thanks to PR. We shouldn’t be allowing a small minority dictate policy beyond its fair share.
Let Unionists celebrate their own traditions within their own communities, give Ulster Scots recognition as a minority language and provide the option to take it in school in lieu of Irish in East Ulster, give Unionists equal access to state amenities just like any other citizen and we’d be doing what they never did willingly in Northern Ireland, but do not embolden them by allowing them to play a greater part in a new Ireland than they are entitled to as any other citizen would be.
Depends. I’ll only agree with replacing the Tricolour with the Flag Of The Four Provinces or the Irish Rugby Flag. As for the National Anthem? If we’re gonna get rid of Amhrán na bhFiann? Then fine, but if the new anthem isn’t As Gaeilge?. Then fuck that. There’s only so much pandering I can tolerate.
The people of Ireland need to realise that unionists are unionists because they don’t want to leave UK. There is only one accommodation that will convince them about unity: if the 26 rejoins the UK.
What motive have they to seek unity? More “progressive “ abortion laws when they wanted the ban to remain in the north? Economic failure after Brexit when we have forced the EU to stand over the Protocol to give them as close to possible to still being in the EU? Even the unionists claim Irish passports to travel through the EU pretending to be citizens of a state they despise.
Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die for it. Mention increased taxes in the south and a third world heath service in the north, and everyone loses enthusiasm.
Since the Unionists failed to negotiate from a position of relative strength, and reunification will now be achieved without the necessity for Unionist participation in how the absorption of the North will work, there’s no need for us to give up anything.
If the Unionists had started work on this even ten years ago, it could have been a merger of two states into a new one, and they’d have been able to set terms like the retention of the PSNI and Stormont. But now, they’ll be a defeated opponent with zero leverage.
When Unionists realise how badly they’ve been sold out for short-term gain by their leadership they are going to go _bonkers_.
Arlene Foster could have been FW de Klerk and negotiated a special deal for the Unionists. Instead, she chose to be Ian Smith, and she lost them everything.
No problem with the anthem, it’s definitely a bit inflammatory for a unionists perspective.
As for the flag, honestly its symbolism would be even more apt under a united Ireland. That said I’ve no problem with changing it. If we’re gonna forge a new nation going forth then why not a new flag and anthem?
No but I also quite like the current flag and anthem and I couldn’t see myself feeling the same way about any new ones
Always thought that we’ve a very boring flag for a country with such rich folklore and mysticism in our culture. Happy say goodbye to it.
The anthem I love, it would need to be something very good to replace it, so many countries have awful boring anthems (our neighbours being case and point), but at the end of the day it’s a small part of Irish life so if that’s the cost of reunification then so be it.
Refusing to give up the flag or the anthem is a polemic, ‘I win, you lose’ attitude, and not particularly grown up.
Guess where that mentality didn’t work? Hint: Its capital is Belfast.
I don’t see a problem in changing the national anthem or the flag. We would have to evolve as a country and working together and accommodating each other would be essential. What people seem to miss though are the huge issues facing a united ireland and if we take emotion out of it, how we develop a plan to ensure its a success:
The population will increase by nearly 2 million with it continually growing. The benefits they have in the North with the NHS and the £15 billion given to the executive. The huge number of people working in the public sector to name just a few.
With brexit, many people in the North are more focused on stability and it will be about changing the minds of the moderates who would be guided by patriotism
I hope to see a united Ireland in my lifetime but unless we can show how we integrate and make it a success. It won’t happen.
21 comments
No, I’ve honestly never been a fan of tricolor flags; they just look boring to me. Sorry France.
I don’t even need to be bribed with reunification; I’d be happy to have a new flag anyway, if it were an improvement.
The anthem, I’m a little more attached to. I’d need to get reunification in exchange for that one. Unless it were changed to “A Nation Once Again”; that, I’d be happy to switch to right now.
Edit: but then again I suppose the song would only make sense after reunification since we would then finally be made whole.
It’s rather insightful that southern enthusiasm for unification starts to dip when they realise they might have to compromise and make accommodations with the northern unionists who they’ll then have to share a nation with.
This is why I doubt unity will ever actually happen. People don’t actually want change, it’s just something they say.
Why should we compromise for what will be a minority in a united Ireland? We didn’t change the anthem or flag before to suit any group in particular, why should we start now?
It’s not giving up a United Ireland, it’s delaying it until such time as those things need not be given up.
I don’t see any dire need for a United Ireland in this moment in time, I would rather see it happen later in my lifetime without having to give up symbols that our ancestors died for. The longer it takes to get to that point, the less divide there will be and the more seamlessly it will happen.
As far as I’m concerned, a United Ireland is an inevitability and there is no need for any concessions of that nature.
EDIT: The sooner it happens, the greater likelihood of loyalist violence as well.
Yes. Our flag is shit and we could do with a new anthem that reflects modern Ireland anyway. I propose This Is by Aslan
I’ll be honest. I’d rather not.
I see it as Northern Ireland is asking and voting on whether they want to join us, and we are free to accept or reject that.
As far as I’m concerned we don’t need to change anything like that at all and besides, the vocal minority is going to bitch and moan like there’s no tomorrow no matter what we do so I see little reason to cater to them.
I’d give it up for less, probably a free bet on my Paddy power account
News is very slow this week. Even the usual weekend poll fodder results are now bleeding into Monday’s publication.
Support for a United Ireland drops the moment the reality of having to subsidise the country place comes to mind. The Irish people are allergic to paying tax and refuse to lower their standards of living even to try and be more environmentally friendly what fucking chance does it have for doing all that for basically Belfast?
Then we get on to the fact that unionists exist in their many shapes and forms and a lot of people simply think they’ll just vanish or should just get zero representation. People still call them fucking invaders ffs. I genuinely hope we let the Brits keep the place, it’s north in but a fucking liability to keep hold of and what do we gain from it realistically??
Presidential standard would be a good flag or even dare i say a titty harp
A Nation Once Again for the anthem
Titty Harp for the flag
I think we can all agree on those.
Obviously it’s important to be accommodating to all citizens of a country but I am always apprehensive about making concessions to the DUP/Unionists, the flag I would change to the Presidential Standard no problem, the anthem I’m quite fond of I think we’ve one of the best but would they be the only two elements of our identity and culture that unionists demand removed?
We’re supposed to be a democracy, our electoral system was designed for the very purpose of giving minorities representation the intention being that unionists would still have seats in the Dáil thanks to PR. We shouldn’t be allowing a small minority dictate policy beyond its fair share.
Let Unionists celebrate their own traditions within their own communities, give Ulster Scots recognition as a minority language and provide the option to take it in school in lieu of Irish in East Ulster, give Unionists equal access to state amenities just like any other citizen and we’d be doing what they never did willingly in Northern Ireland, but do not embolden them by allowing them to play a greater part in a new Ireland than they are entitled to as any other citizen would be.
Depends. I’ll only agree with replacing the Tricolour with the Flag Of The Four Provinces or the Irish Rugby Flag. As for the National Anthem? If we’re gonna get rid of Amhrán na bhFiann? Then fine, but if the new anthem isn’t As Gaeilge?. Then fuck that. There’s only so much pandering I can tolerate.
The people of Ireland need to realise that unionists are unionists because they don’t want to leave UK. There is only one accommodation that will convince them about unity: if the 26 rejoins the UK.
What motive have they to seek unity? More “progressive “ abortion laws when they wanted the ban to remain in the north? Economic failure after Brexit when we have forced the EU to stand over the Protocol to give them as close to possible to still being in the EU? Even the unionists claim Irish passports to travel through the EU pretending to be citizens of a state they despise.
Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die for it. Mention increased taxes in the south and a third world heath service in the north, and everyone loses enthusiasm.
Since the Unionists failed to negotiate from a position of relative strength, and reunification will now be achieved without the necessity for Unionist participation in how the absorption of the North will work, there’s no need for us to give up anything.
If the Unionists had started work on this even ten years ago, it could have been a merger of two states into a new one, and they’d have been able to set terms like the retention of the PSNI and Stormont. But now, they’ll be a defeated opponent with zero leverage.
When Unionists realise how badly they’ve been sold out for short-term gain by their leadership they are going to go _bonkers_.
Arlene Foster could have been FW de Klerk and negotiated a special deal for the Unionists. Instead, she chose to be Ian Smith, and she lost them everything.
No problem with the anthem, it’s definitely a bit inflammatory for a unionists perspective.
As for the flag, honestly its symbolism would be even more apt under a united Ireland. That said I’ve no problem with changing it. If we’re gonna forge a new nation going forth then why not a new flag and anthem?
No but I also quite like the current flag and anthem and I couldn’t see myself feeling the same way about any new ones
Always thought that we’ve a very boring flag for a country with such rich folklore and mysticism in our culture. Happy say goodbye to it.
The anthem I love, it would need to be something very good to replace it, so many countries have awful boring anthems (our neighbours being case and point), but at the end of the day it’s a small part of Irish life so if that’s the cost of reunification then so be it.
Refusing to give up the flag or the anthem is a polemic, ‘I win, you lose’ attitude, and not particularly grown up.
Guess where that mentality didn’t work? Hint: Its capital is Belfast.
I don’t see a problem in changing the national anthem or the flag. We would have to evolve as a country and working together and accommodating each other would be essential. What people seem to miss though are the huge issues facing a united ireland and if we take emotion out of it, how we develop a plan to ensure its a success:
The population will increase by nearly 2 million with it continually growing. The benefits they have in the North with the NHS and the £15 billion given to the executive. The huge number of people working in the public sector to name just a few.
With brexit, many people in the North are more focused on stability and it will be about changing the minds of the moderates who would be guided by patriotism
I hope to see a united Ireland in my lifetime but unless we can show how we integrate and make it a success. It won’t happen.