Orange marches belfast

I think what people are surprised at is having such a display of Britishness in a place most of the world thinks is Irish! In my experience abroad we are considered Irish no matter where in the Island of Ireland you reside. Having to explain the difference to well meaning visitors without it descending into a political discussion could prove tricky.

the Dubliners refer to us as ‘nordies’ - we are perceived- as a whole- to be argumentative. Europeans who visited the bar I worked in would consider Belfast volatile in places.

You do realise that (shock horror) the town of Bushmills doesn’t exist simply to appease tourists on whiskey tours? It’s a Protestant stronghold, of course the locals are going to celebrate their unionist persuasion and why shouldn’t they? Don’t like it, don’t visit. It’s really that simple. Did you also get offended by the union jack flags/bunting/tablecloths everywhere around the UK for the platinum jubilee?

That is part of recognising that not everyone within a community/identity,/movement ...are exactly the same.

I know that @DotDashDot24. I thought I'd made that clear enough?

there's a small minority who think it a great idea to burn the Irish flag or images of politicians etc...I mean, obviously it's a small minority of thuggish behaviour...

You forgot The Purple Sons of Tubal Cain @DotDashDot24 . Always thought that would be a cracking name for an acid rock band.

Then there's the British Israelites . They think Brits are the lost tribe of Israel and the Ark of the Covenant is buried under the Hill of Tara. I don't think they march though? Probably too busy digging up County Meath. Name for a reggae band maybe.

Sorry about the derail. But the subject lends itself to a bit of lighthearted fun. Got to look for the positives.

Also Cavan!

The anti Jewish marches were allowed in London and the police reinforced the message that Jews should keep off the streets while it was happening. There's been hate preached by Muslim extremists. Everywhere except Liverpool allow far right marches, so let's not pretend that other groups don't do this.
They did used to be peaceful affairs with the drummers and girls dressed beautifully. But there is once again back and white thinking. They can police the anti social behaviour, as long as it is applied to the whole of the UK.

But does that matter really?
Whether it's the 12th or the run up?

Yes, it does matter who was responsible for something.

That is part of recognising that not everyone within a community/identity,/movement ...are exactly the same.

It is simplistic to state that it only exists because of English / Scottish

No, it's not.

It exists because of British Colonialism.
That is the bottom line.

Stand by your Bushmills comment? It was a truly ignorant comment. You've had several posters say so, yet you stand by it. That says a lot about you.

Your comment also suggests a total lack of realism and understanding.

That is what NI is like. It's a few years on from something approaching a decades long civil war. It's not set up to suit you and your tourist activities. The world isn't set up to suit you and your tourist activities.

Yes, I really will shut up now!!!

Okay, I see your point, we were both getting a bit too worked up about this 😳

Okay, I am saying more 😁(I'll shut up soon I promise!)

You quoted pp and then made your comment re the name of the country.
Whether you intended to or not that comes across as correcting pp.
As I said, it might have been better to phrase things differently if that was not your intention.

I agree people get the name wrong all the time and I agree it's very annoying.

I was not correcting anyone. I was just stating a fact that unfortunately many people get wrong all the time.
You have been coming at me because I did not word it to your liking and then you call me not nice.

All that polyester must be so uncomfortable

And their poor knuckles from dragging along the ground as they march

It's good though, it means we can all see who they are

Okay, maybe I'm being pedantic, but you were correcting someone who didn't need correcting. Not nice.
I'll say no more.

I think I was pretty clear.
I said it's not called Southern Ireland.
You are being pedantic.

Yes, but @Abitofalark didn't get anything wrong. She was talking about the historical situation.

Southern Ireland irritates me too, but you could have phrased your response differently if you wanted people to know the country is called Ireland.

Its important to educate people.

@Abitofalark didn't though.

Many people from the UK incorrectly call it Southern Ireland.

It is Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Agreed. It's not like theý're fighting about whether transubstantiation is a thing or not! It's not about religion. Religion is a marker.

Well, that’s your own ignorance about the issues involved, surely.

@Abitofalark didn't say it is.

She said there was an idea to name one part of the country Southern Ireland and one part Northern Ireland.
And there was.
Southern Ireland did exist from 1921-22.
Which is actually part of the reason people dislike the term being used today for Ireland/ROI.

It's not called Southern Ireland.

I stand by my Bushmills comment. It is simplistic to state that it only exists because of English / Scottish . Plantation in NI is the whole crux of the matter isn't it ? Placed there by England to populate the country with Protestantism , RE placing the indigenous Catholic people .
And Union Jack bunting , flags and pavements are not there to celebrate the Britishness of Bushmills whiskey is it ? Having driven through Larne with its " colourful" decorations it is obvious to visitors that this town of Bushmills is also emphasising its Protestant persuasion .

They did consider naming the six counties Ulster instead of the long handle they eventually settled on, which came from the idea to name one part of the partitioned country Southern Ireland and the other Northern Ireland.

Don't get your hopes up they'll ever stop calling it Ulster. When the DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson and a gang of masked loyalists invaded the village of Clontibret in County Monaghan ostensibly against the Anglo-Irish agreement 'He had been held in custody for 32 hours, the report [of the NIO] added, during which time “he refused all sustenance provided by the gardaí, preferring the wholesome Ulster food brought to him by his wife”.'

In case anyone doesn't know, Monaghan is not in Northern Ireland but is one of the nine counties of Ulster, six of which comprise Northern lreland.