I’ve a glitch in my computer and cannot add comments to my own or other blogs which is why I am using a new blog to comment on feedback .
First I’d like to ask Scott Rutherford whether he thinks it eccentric to expect that a group of athletes purporting to represent their nation in an inter-national contest stand for its national anthem and ensure that its national flag is acknowledged and respected. As an organisation the IRISH RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION does not give its allegiance to Ireland and consequently cannot reasonably expect the support of that nation.
I infer from his comments that Mr Rutherford withholds his allegiance from Ireland, and could not with honour hold a passport proclaiming himself a citizen of Ireland. Citizens are required by Ireland’s Constitution or Basic Law to be faithful to the nation. That Constitution was not imposed on the citizens by any Government, native or foreign, but enacted by the citizens themselves in a plebiscite.
Brian Patterson’s remarks, were, as always, interesting. When he received his degree from QUB he did not attend the conferring ceremony, which ought to be one to enjoy, because he could not stand for God Save The Queen and retain his self-respect. There are good precedents. At the turn of the twentieth century, Francis Cruise O’Brien (father of Conor) and Frank Skeffington (who married Hanna Sheehy, Conor’s aunt) either boycotted the ceremony at UCD or staged a protest at the playing of God Save The King. I note also Brian’s comments on the IRFU’s unheroic record during South Africa’s Apartheid era. As it happened I attended an Ireland-South Africa match in Landsdowne Rd. I was over in Dublin for a funeral and my younger brother, a GAA stalwart, had three tickets for the match, and we both watched it in company with my soccer-playing son. I’m happy to report that the flag of the free, post-Apartheid South African Nation flew over the stadium.
I’m rather disappointed that after centuries of Compulsory English a joke of mine escaped comment. I described “Ireland’s Call” as ” A woful ballad made to Mother England’s Eyebrow, As I Hate It.”. Male readers of an amorous disposition, might, with advantage, Brush Up Their Shakespeare, for it’s claimed the ladies would all Kow -Tow, as the IRFU does to the West Britons.
Kiss me ????
Have you run out of letters you wrote to newspapers in the 70s and resorted to writing love letters to yourself now?
Well, in view of the differences between the peoples (plural) of this island, might we not at least attempt to bring unity by way of words and music through, for example, ‘Ireland’s Call’?
Unity, isn’t that what people want?
And might we all not have to sacrifice some of our preferred national identity markers in order that we might unit as people?
Unity, isn’t that what people want?
Nice to see the ship back up and running Jude.
Donal I’ll think you find that all the Northern player and supporters do stand respectfully for the Soldiers song and the tricolour at Landsdowne road. There’s no fuss made about it.
The Irish Rugby doesn’t represent the Irish nation I.e the ROI it represents the island as a whole which as I’m sure your aware is one whole nation and a part of another.
I admit this is strange and I certainly can’t think of another situation in the rugby world where this happens, but there you go it’s what we have and since the IRFU existed before the foundation of the ROI perhaps it’s simply a quirk of history but it works well.
The whole point of Phil Coulter writing Irelands Call was to create a anthem or song that would be inclusive which has been a huge success. Probably the most inclusive major sport on this island and a world beater at that.
So by your intolerance shown towards Ireland’s call you seem to reject the inclusivity that the IRFU has successfully been striving for on this Island.
The playing of the two national anthems (well one anthem, one song) when playing at Landsdowne has grown over the years and while I don’t think it’s really the proper way of doing things, I and the vast majority of other northern rugby fans don’t get our knickers in a twist about it. We are there for the sport not a political bun fight.
As far the whole West Brit insult you hurl, because that’s all it is a slander, it’s a common enough tactic by hurl it at people who don’t agree with your point of view. To paint someone as not properly Irish which is what you try and do when you use the term doesn’t say much about wanting to cherish all the children of a nation does it. So wise up and don’t be a prat.
I tend to agree with Scott. The system in rugby works fine and everybody enjoys the games and each other’s company and work together for the success of the team. I can’t see what the problem is.
What people wouldn’t give to have such a harmonious arrangement for soccer?
Scott, you know full well that the island of Ireland is one nation ,although presently divided against the wishes of the majority of it’s citizens …..not two as you imply….why the mischief making and no political bun fight
It may be in the eyes of Republicans Eolach but legally and as it is internationally accepted it is not.
Even the southern government recognized this when they amended (through referendum) the Irish constitution.
Its not mischief making its a statement of fact.
Saying that it doesn’t stop us rugby boys from enjoying ourselves and getting on. I’m trying to get tickets today for the final down in Dublin on Saturday, and if I do will being singing my heart out to fields of athenry with the Munster lads.
Scott, please direct me to any national/international treaty or agreement that states or recognises two nations in Ireland …two political set-up’s but one nation…you have the lawful right , if you so wish , to give your alligence to another nation but you were born part of the Irish nation…….this is not some Republican fairytale as evidenced by the growing number of Unionists exercising their birthright and claiming their Irish passport. It has also been given credence recently by the EU in the ease with which a reunited Ireland will be dealt with by that body.
Sorry Donal the 1937 De Valera/McQuaid partitionist sectarian Constitution was not “enacted by the citizens themselves’. No citizen east of greater Buncrana or north of greater Hackballscross had a vote in it.