The Twelfth

would certainly show the world that the republic of ireland is tolerant of national minorities.

unionists down really go for paddys day afaik

Saint Tom wrote: unionists down really go for paddys day afaik

A lot of more moderate unionists actually do believe it or not. Its a great party, why wouldn't they.

When all the sh*te about the twelfth comes up every year some hardliner always pipes up with 'You have St Paddy's blah blah blah'.

Big difference.

Eg, St Paddy's, shops open as normal, roads are as normal, the bars are heaving from morning to night and its a carnical atmosphere.

The Twelfth - shops wont open (some Belfast city centre ones have in recent years) for fears of damage, rioting etc, Roads are blocked off, bars close early on 11th night, some won't open at all on the 12th, people - from both sides of the community up here - either plan their holidays abroad over this time or hole themselves up in their houses. They've tried marketing it as 'Orangefest' and as a tourist attraction so they can get the odd bit of funding.

Nah, fooling no one there lads.

darmack wrote: Would they not use Paddys day as their argument?<div id="isChromeWebToolbarDiv" style="display:none">

a patron saints day that is recognised all over the world ?

BigStrongMan wrote: Impressive bonfire in all papers today f**king huge

tonyjaa wrote: Clonbhoy wrote: Do the beeb in the north still do a round up of the parades? That really sickened me. Talk about promoting bigotry of course they do

in fact , 2mrw they have a reporter walking the whole way with the main march to see how long it actually takes

seriously

horsebox wrote: AntrimMan wrote: Saint Tom wrote: unionists down really go for paddys day afaik A lot of more moderate unionists actually do believe it or not. Its a great party, why wouldn't they. When all the sh*te about the twelfth comes up every year some hardliner always pipes up with 'You have St Paddy's blah blah blah'. Big difference. Eg, St Paddy's, shops open as normal, roads are as normal, the bars are heaving from morning to night and its a carnical atmosphere. The Twelfth - shops wont open (some Belfast city centre ones have in recent years) for fears of damage, rioting etc, Roads are blocked off, bars close early on 11th night, some won't open at all on the 12th, people - from both sides of the community up here - either plan their holidays abroad over this time or hole themselves up in their houses. They've tried marketing it as 'Orangefest' and as a tourist attraction so they can get the odd bit of funding. Nah, fooling no one there lads. All this would stop if the marches were restricted to their own areas. If they sat down with the Nationalist community, and took on board their concerns. But AFAIK the Orange Lodge feel it's there god given right to march into Nationalist\Republican areas because of tradition. Would I be correct in saying that?

Largely, yes.

But where it really hits people in the pocket is when for example, they march through Belfast city centre as they will tomorrow, a thursday, taking people away from the shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

No one would give an airborne fornication if they had a wee walk about sandy row or rathecoole.

tonyjaa wrote: Black Knee Stevie wrote: Saint Tom wrote: in a bid to encourage reconciliation with unionists, how would people feel if the 12th was a national holiday here? not saying its my opinion, but what about others? I reckon they should take the whole thing down there, where they actually won the battle and leave us good northern folk alone. elroy45 wrote: Was up in the north last week, not a nice place for a Southerner. Flags everywhere, it really is in your face. I can live with the one day celebration and marching but should they be allowed to erect orange and union jack flags all over towns and streets for weeks in advance, I don't think so Not nice for us Irish who live up here. They put the flags up weeks before and leave them up longer than they are allowed.  and the majority of the flags are illegal

tonyjaa wrote: flags of paramilitary organisation are illegal , over the past few weeks ive noticed maybe 100 loyalist flags in North Belfast