MNHQ

[Waltermittythesequel]

I've been a member of MN for almost a decade (I had to re-reg after the hacking debacle). I know there has always been contention and controversy but I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever been sickened by MN members and by you, HQ.

Over the last few days there has been thread after thread bashing Ireland, being xenophobic, insulting and downright nasty and you, HQ, have let them all stand.

I believe now, that the English attitude to Ireland is unfortunately as bad as it ever was and it is perpetrated by business like yours for not taking a stand against it. I can only assume you agree with the shit being spouted.

I have loved it here but I can't engage on a forum where such behaviour is tolerated without even an attempt to do something about it.

You should be utterly ashamed of yourselves. I'd like to say it's been fun but frankly, the last few days have negated any enjoyment I've ever had here.

I've just read two threads in active conversations that have been the straws that broke the camel's back.

I'm not expecting anyone to give a shit about my flouncing, by the way. I'm not expecting attention. I AM expecting a barrage of abuse and oh-so-hilarious insults. It doesn't bother me.

For a 'supportive' website, MN, you've really let yourself down.

I just want to clarify that the reason for the historically, low marriage age was to allow for the traditionally early age of marriage (esp. of girls) from the Irish minority group, The Traveller Community. I thought this was 14, but I could be wrong.
With reference to Scots, Muslims and Irish being minority groups, well perhaps, in England but not in their respective homelands.

I see the begrudgery of the last few days as a diplomatic failure, but then again most diplomats are informed and suggestive and rarely (never) so uneducated and baiting. Apart from these posts, there have been generous, supportive posts from other English mumsnetters.
As previously referenced, Finton O'Toole was his usual, thought provoking self in the The Guardian on Saturday, when he said "Most Irish people are too polite to ask this question - but where's England in all of this? It's nice to be patted on the head and told how well we Irish are doing with "moving on" from the divisions of the Reformation. But how are you folks doing with this yourselves?"
Some posters on mn are obviously still works in progress, I'm with you OP, about being disenchanted, but, then again, I shouldn't be here procrastinating, anyway.

I have to say I agree with the OP on this. There has been (IMO) quite a lot of "Ireland not being good enough" going on since Saturday.
Maybe it's because some posters don't understand the pride that the Irish feel about this "yes" vote. Ireland was under the influence of the Catholic Church for so many years and we are only really starting to break free of it. The abortion is issue is something that many many people are working extremely hard on. Rome was not built in one day. My mother is English and couldn't believe the influence of the Catholic Church when she moved over here first.
I will also say that Ireland was ruled and treated badly by England for hundreds and hundreds of years and rightly or wrongly, it still leaves a bad taste in some peoples mouths. I'm sure that then seeing some (NOT ALL) posters from the UK then critiquing Ireland and calling them "backwards" gets peoples backs up...
I'm not excusing Irish poster being rude in any way or form, everyone should have respect for each other regardless of race, gender etc, but there is a lot of background tension that doesn't help matters.

I remember that thread on NYE a few years ago. Its not anti Irish comments its racist comments as detailed upthread . And yes I do agree with the poster about hundreds of years of bad treatment leaving a scar. Would you tell black people to just get over the slavery thing? Or Jewish people to pipe down about the Haulocaust? Anytime anything to do with the persecution of Irish people comes up it is immediately minimised.