"Plastic Paddies" and the National Anthem

Keltica wrote: Well lads, We travel with a couple of second generation Irish guys from England and I know thousands of others do to. I know it's a minority of fans, but the abuse they got of some lads in Poland was shocking, they really were getting sick of it towards the end of the two weeks, even with the banter side of it. One of them was explaining that he used to get abuse the whole way through school for being Irish, and now he was getting it for being English while supporting Ireland! I consider it a huge honour that someone could be born and raised in another country and yet choose to support The Boys in Green, and I think we should be letting these lads know that. On another note regarding the most important chant of all, the prize for the best ever rendition of the National Anthem goes to the fans at the first Ireland v England rugby game at Croke Park; but I think The Boys in Green can beat that against Sweden! I'll be brushing up on it myself because it's very difficult to sing it at the very top of your lungs when you don't know all the words. Let's all make and effort to brush up on it so come the 13th June we can take the fu*king roof off the Stade de France, scare the sh1te out of the Swedes, and show the whole of Europe that we are back!!!

Here here in your first point Keltica.

I've live in the UK now for nearly 15 years but born and raised in the smoke in Dublin.
I remember popping into a pub in 2003 to watch a game and being pleasantly surprised to see about 3 or 4 green jerseys.
Got chatting and was bemused at the strong 'landaan' accents on the lads.
The term 'plastic paddy' is insulting and I detest it.
I've met so many second generation Irish in London who lets not forget didn't have it easy in the 70's and 80's over here. An accent means nothing it's to be welcomed and embraced and I've met some passionate Irishmen and women with various accents.

As regards the Anthem it's a wonderful song but doesn't really lend itself too well to being sung at the top of the lungs. It's not really what it was designed for but sing it out and sing it loud as they say.

Putting a slight spin on it, for me the French anthem is head and shoulders above them all. Rousing belter of a song with a great uplifting ending.
Typical French really.....

Alles les verts (think that's the greens ? )

Keltica wrote: We travel with a couple of second generation Irish guys from England and I know thousands of others do to. I know it's a minority of fans, but the abuse they got of some lads in Poland was shocking, they really were getting sick of it towards the end of the two weeks, even with the banter side of it. One of them was explaining that he used to get abuse the whole way through school for being Irish, and now he was getting it for being English while supporting Ireland! I consider it a huge honour that someone could be born and raised in another country and yet choose to support The Boys in Green, and I think we should be letting these lads know that.

I'm sure I have seen that clip before Keltica but christ that's powerful stuff.
If you noticed it was the Garda / army band and had a rolling bass drum through it.
That's how amhran an bhfiann works best. It's a marching song and that worked so well.

Great stuff

Well said Sean! I agree with all the sentiments above. Its ignorance of the highest order to question a fellow Irishmans nationality based on his accent. The old quote, either correctly or incorrectly attributed to the 1^st Duke of Wellington or by Daniel OConnell in relation to the Duke himself, rings through for me; being born in a stable does not make a man a horse!!

Edited by Sheedy's Left Boot - 02 Jun 2016 at 12:10pm

Dermot Gallagher is Irish. Was born in Ireland with an English accent. Dave O'Leary was born in London but has an Irish accent. Same with McGrath.  Accent means nothing. It's how you identify and your family origins.

If you're Irish you're Irish.

I think moving abroad has certainly been a real eye opener for me in terms of understanding more about the born-abroad Irish. Know plenty of lads around Reading who were born there but are Irish through and through and have met many non-Irish born Irish fans on my away travels over the past few years. Talking with them and understanding their background and passion for their country is so interesting as many of us born at home would take for granted being Irish. Emigration was a big part of our history and this reflects it - Northmen, Southmen, Comrades all !

Kids born in UK, they have a choice of Citizenship and they choose Ireland and then Poland, always made clear I would never pay for a Passport with the Crown and somehow doubt they ever will either.

Sheedy's Left Boot wrote: Well said Sean! I agree with all the sentiments above. Its ignorance of the highest order to question a fellow Irishmans nationality based on his accent. The old quote, either correctly or incorrectly attributed to the 1st Duke of Wellington or by Daniel OConnell in relation to the Duke himself, rings through for me; being born in a stable does not make a man a horse!! If your family linage, culture or heart is Irish, it doesnt matter a jot what accent you have. Im from Donegal and one of my good mates, that Ive travelled to Ireland games home and away with, is London born and bred. Father from Donegal and mother from Sligo. A more passionate Irishman you couldnt meet. In fact his gra for all things Irish would put to shame some of our countrymen. Sean, if I heard someone questioning your right to support Ireland or indeed your Irishness, Id go through them for a short cut! Have a great trip to France and I hope your first major tournament (its my second after Poland) lives up to be all you hope it will be.

SeanG4393 wrote: This is so refreshing to read.  I am the first 'English born' in my family. My dad born in Dublin and my Mom born in Donegal... Ireland might not be where I live but it is where I am from.