Hope For The Peace Process? We Can't Even Agree On The Name Of A Bridge

[Duncer]

Aren't there real issues to deal with, like joblessness, lawlessness, parades?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...hern-ireland-19645316

[ichkeria]

These are two councils in the republic, though. For a change :-)

[Gromit]

Pontefractarianism.

[emmie]

so there are,

[sandyRoe]

There's nothing new under the sun. In 1966 there was controversy about the name of what would eventually be called Queen Elizabeth bridge in Belfast.

[emmie]

sandyr, not just about a bridge though is it.

[ichkeria]

I don't think this is quite the same thing sandy, although you're right of course about "nothing new". But it seems unfair to drag the peace process in N. Ireland into it. This is the sort of petty local politicking which happens all over the British Isles. It matters to some and therefore it matters.

[Duncer]

But the peace process encompasses all of Ireland, whether some like it or not, and I have no doubt whatsoever that both sides in Norn Iron will attempt to make capital out of this. In fact I'd be disappointed in them if they didn't as they never fail to live down to my expectations.

[ichkeria]

I don't think this issue is actually about the peace process is it? It's a rumpus about a bridge being renamed without due consultation. They could have renamed it the "Daniel O'Donnell Bridge" without telling anyone and there'd (probably more understandably) have been a fuss about that. One of the protesting councillors is a Labour party member I note, and the Labour Party (as just about all parties in the republic I think) supports the peace process.

[Duncer]

The issue itself isn't, but the whole storm in a teacup is endemic of what is wrong with so much of the country.

As for naming anything after Daniel O'Donnell, well, I would lead the objections.

[ichkeria]

"As for naming anything after Daniel O'Donnell, well, I would lead the objections. "

You'd need to be pretty sharp to get in the front of that queue Duncer!
I'm reminded of the (very) old joke about the IRA man with the armalite containing two bullets walking down the Falls Road one afternoon when he comes across Ian Paisley and Daniel O'D. So he shoots Danield O'D twice, just to make sure ...

[Duncer]

I'll settle for joining the rush. ;-)

I always think of the Eoin McLove episode of Father Ted when Danny O'Donnell's name crops up.

[ichkeria]

Yes if that episode didn't ruin his career then all I can say is "pity" :-)

[Duncer]

He ruins it every time he opens his mouth, but it doesn't stop the blue rinse brigade turning up in vast numbers to see him.

[Hopkirk]

The Irish wouldn't be the Irish without a bloody good argument.