Should the Irish grow up?

[purplepoppy]

It's battle of the Boyne day in Northern Ireland which marks the highlight of marching season. Marching season is where protestants march through Catholic areas to rub their noses in it over battles fought in the 1600s. Many towns also have giant bonfires like the ones being constructed in the photos.

Now I say who gives a fuck about something that happened over 400 years ago. We don't pay this much attention to the millions that died in the world wars, they get 2 mins silence not months of marching and bonfires.

Why do people cling to historical events that are well beyond living memory when the world has moved on?

Thoughts?

[RavVid]

Well first I think it is nice and quaint to celebrate a 400 year old battle and it conforms to what I expect from the British Isles.

Boyne was a backwater battle but you'd be surprised at the significant history around this rubbing of noses. I see it as a celebration of the Glorious Revolution in which James II was sent scuttling to be replaced by King William and Queen Mary. Absolutist Stuart rule was replaced by Parliamentary Rule.

A lot of very fine things came from W & M. It was the start of the modern era I argue. Mortgages and good stuff like that.

So I'm all in favor of this Glorious Revolution celebration. Chuck a match in for me please.

[Syntosi]

People need traditions and it does not really matter what they actually reference as long as they go out and do something as a community every now and then. If its not this, it would be something else. And no, it would not really work to honor something since the actual meaning dies quickly enough and becomes just another tradition that we uphold for the sake of tradition which makes them entirely interchangeable.

[Jrg98]

That’s like the shit with the owning slaves that was years ago and we didn’t do it so don’t go acting like I owned slaves

[RebelinSteel]

I have family on both sides and it’s annoying as fuck on the religion aspect of it. I am 100% in just having a United Ireland. It’s like having a friend that is a social hand grenade, amazing people but shove religion in the mix and it’s a bonfire.

[pierre7i]

Absolutely agree with you @purplepoppy ! I wonder if the people in Northern Ireland who make such a big thing of that very long ago skirmish realise how unedifying their 'celebrations' seems to the rest of the world?

In my opinion, the cataclysmic events of/in WW1 & WW2 and the millions who lost their lives in those wars are much more worthy of remembrance !

[AviatorTom]

That's a very logical opinion. But conditions in Ireland, specifically Northern Ireland vs The Republic of Ireland, and Protestants vs Catholics, is purely emotional. Interesting that it all goes back to Henry VIII and the Pope not granting him a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, so he started his own Anglican Church. Had something different happened back then, just think what the situation in Ireland might be today.

[goaded]

That's going to be a bloody big fire. Yes, it's dumb, but we still celebrate the death of a Catholic terrorist from about the same time every November 5th.

I suppose the difference is that the kids aren't taught that it's a religious thing and to hate the Catholics.

[paledreams]

I was raised Catholic (have somewhat Irish ancestry slightly) and I say the protestants are superior only because when I look at the monarchical system of protestant England for politics versus the republican aka republic system of Ireland - I think England and northern Ireland for being protestant are superior :)

[paledreams]

@purplepoppy Emphasis on Northern Ireland - I even bought online the other year my own red and white Northern Irish flag along with another ordinary Union Jack - I felt very pleased and irony that it got delayed due to some Northerner postie strike at the time of 2022/2023 - it's far better to be Northern Irish and or Protestant or both 🟣😈 the Church of England ain't purple and lilac for nothing 😄

[handsomelad70]

As a black man, I know you white folk don't care about what happened (to us) 400 years ago, the legacy of which resonates soundly in 2024. H**l, I bet some Trumpsters would want to restore at least some aspects of it.(See: Project 2025). I'd LOVE to club a hot young Irish lass !!!

[purplepoppy]

You're right, we don't.

[MrGSpotHer]

I've always thought them bonfires look really dangerous I think health and safety and such would literally have a hart attack if people did that over here in the towns and city's so close to homes, even if they wasn't that close actually..

[exitseven]

I imagine that alcohol has a lot to do with the celebration.

[Jerre]

I think you will find that type of celebration throughout the world. People or parades celebrating events that happened hundreds of years ago.

[Jerre]

@purplepoppy Thank you for the Like

[robocop666]

Northern Ireland is a political disaster. They still fight after all this time.

[Anonymous]

Probably shouldn't worry about other christian when your country is being colonized by islam.

[Mettbltt]

this is quite normal
They remember and respect their ancestors, this is a beautiful thing.

[Dargil]

Stop drinking and fighting? Naah.

[KrakenAttackin]

@purplepoppy. Aren't you Irish?

[purplepoppy]

Welsh but i do have irish family

[KrakenAttackin]

Welsh, Irish... Same thing 😁

[Enginn]

Yes. They should grow up.

[Anonymous]

Hail King Billy