'Heroes'... (no, not the TV show)

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06/04/2009, 10:57 PM
The Fly

'Heroes'... (no, not the TV show)

Who are your 'heroes.'
Whilst I wouldn't really hero worship anyone, there are people I admire, people whose achievements have meant alot to me, and I suppose people that I would have a certain interest/fascination in.
These are: (in no particular order and with football players not included),

U2 (collectively),
Charles Stewart Parnell,
James Joyce,
Oscar Wilde,
Marlon Brando,
Michael Schumacher,
Muhammad Ali,
Franklin Roosevelt,

and

(Arthur Guinness :D) :rolleyes:

These are the people that immediately come to mind, I'm sure there are others.
Who are yours? If you wish give reasons for you choices and remember - no footballers!
06/04/2009, 11:10 PM
Rovers1

Michael Lynott
Rory Houston
Aine Chambers
Pineapple Stu
06/04/2009, 11:12 PM
Rory H

Pineapple Stu....a credit to the internet
06/04/2009, 11:26 PM
Dunny

Mickey Collins.
06/04/2009, 11:32 PM
alidiei

Micke daly
06/04/2009, 11:43 PM
jebus

Bret 'The Hitman' Hart
Charles Bukowski
Michael Collins
Hunter Thompson
Barack Obama (yes I'm one of those)
John Lennon

Thats about it outside of family and Zidane
07/04/2009, 9:06 AM
First

My Mammy
07/04/2009, 9:21 AM
bennocelt

football heroes: Baresi, Maradona, Zidane, McGrath, Larsson, And Roy

sporting heroes: Alex Higgins and Jimmy White, Ruby, Murtagh and Fallon

politics: Connolly , Larkin, Parnell, Sands

music: Shane and Sineid, Thin Lizzy, Beatles, SLF, Clash, Stranglers

comedy: Bill Hicks, Homer, Rab C

and the rest: Obama (man i love him!), M O Leary (sure he is from westmeath!), M Palin, Shane Meadows, S Kubrick, .....................

but if i had to say a number 1 then it would be def Bill Hicks - he is like my God as in i quote from him regularly, try my best to follow his "teachings", and try to spread the word!:)
07/04/2009, 10:46 AM
Wangball

JFK, RFK & MLK

Aside from that

Hunter S Thompson, Ken Kesey, Jack Kerouac & F Scott Fitzgerald...4 writers I will never ever tire of

Bruce Springsteen & Neil Young

Sean Penn & Daniel Day Lewis

Hennrik Larsson & Ray Houghton - My 2 favourite footballers of all time

A rather motley crew to say the least!
07/04/2009, 11:12 AM
Keen2win

Bob Geldof
07/04/2009, 11:49 AM
superfrank

Sports: Pel�, Brian Clough, Colm Tresson, Gianfranco Zola, Kimmi Raikkonen.

Music: David Bowie, Prince, Geroge Clinton.

Politics: Jim Larkin, Dick Spring, John Wilkes.

Writers: James Ellroy, Paddy Agnew, Hunter S Thompson, Brett Easton Wllis, Stephen King, Mike Dash, Briain � Nual�in.

Cinema: Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Clint Eastwood.
07/04/2009, 12:10 PM
stann

Milligan, Cleese, Everett... Sessions. :D

As of today and yesterday:
Scipio Aemilianus.
Mark Everett
Stephen Fry and Jeff Stelling.
And Stewart Lee.
07/04/2009, 12:51 PM
Wolfie

Noel Gallagher
Nelson Mandela
Richard Harris
Hunter S. Thompson
Richard Pryor
Oliver Reed
Reeves and Mortimer
Jimi Hendrix
Michael Parkinson
Billy Connolly
Bob Geldoff
The Stone Roses
Declan Lynch
Primo Levi
Woody Allen
Homer Simpson
Charles Stewart Parnell
Al Pacino
Peter Cook
The Manic Street Preachers
Frank Skinner
Mohammad Ali
Eric Morcombe
07/04/2009, 10:30 PM
Pauro 76

Right now my hero is Michael Parkinson for saying what a lot of people are thinking but too afraid to say it. Also Jeff Stelling for services to puns and being a superbly entertaining presenter.
08/04/2009, 1:06 PM
Magicme

My dad
Jim McGlone - Monaghan United Chairman
Nelson Mandela
Barack Obama
Marie Currie
Karen Brady
Bob Geldof - took Roberta as my confirmation name coz he was such a hero to me
Bob Dylan - My eldest son is called Dylan Robert after him
Bob Marley - My youngest son's second name is Marley after Bob
Colin Bateman - author
Niall Stokes & Jackie Hayden- Hotpress Editor & general manager respectively
Mike Dooley - Inspirational writer and main man on www.tut.com
My grandmothers RIP
Garrett Mullen - Show Racism the Red Card Ireland

but most of all my 2 sons, they are my everday heroes who no matter how low I feel always make my life worthwhile.
08/04/2009, 1:51 PM
holidaysong

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunny

Mickey Collins.

No footballers remember! ;)
08/04/2009, 1:53 PM
sligoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by holidaysong

No footballers remember! ;)

What about lunatics? Surely that's more his profession?:p
08/04/2009, 2:03 PM
Rovers fan

Jim.....
08/04/2009, 4:27 PM
Kingdom

Can't think of any "heroes" outside of sports. I pretty much idolised Paul McGrath and Maurice Fitz.

I suppose I'd have had a lot of respect for Alan Dukes. Ian and John from the Roses.

Michael Collins was a big hero when I was younger but when you read a little deeper, perhaps not so much.

Always liked Michael Keaton for some reason. Ewan McGregor too. Benicio del Toro is pretty special.

Not real outstanding candidates there I'm afraid.
08/04/2009, 5:00 PM
The Stars

Jim...
08/04/2009, 11:51 PM
thischarmingman

George Orwell
Charles Dickens
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Clint Eastwood
Nick Cave
Morrissey (even though he's a prat!)
Ricky Gervais
Bill Hicks
Spike Milligan
Peter Cook
Michael Palin
Bob Dylan
Neil Hannon
Richard Dawkins
Corny though it may be, every person in Ireland who goes regularly to see their local side play. :)
09/04/2009, 1:42 AM
Scrufil

Some right strange people here picked as Heroes!

Hunter S. Thompson ??????? Who?
Obama? What the hell has he ever done for you personally?
Morrissey? AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH:eek: An insult to the world of music.
Bob Geldof? Sure when you're rich it is easy to preach about giving to the third world, plus every chance he gets he likes to belittle the Irish way of life.
Niall Stokes & Jackie Hayden? A lot of the the crap written in their mag has feck all to to with the music industry. It's like the Sunday World written by 10 year olds.
Michael Parkinson? Who?
Jeff Stelling? Who?
Declan Lynch? You mean that fella who wrote a few books and scribbles in the papers? You can't pick him he's my deceased father in law's nephew!
Alex Higgins? This dude should be locked up, do some research about him before posting him as a hero.
Dick Spring? Preach to the masses and then get out of Labour and line his pockets with money earned on state boards (money for the old boys club.)

My Heroes:
Zig and Zag (Genius X 2) (Appeared on an Irish postage stamp)
Rory Gallagher (guitar player) (Appeared on an Irish postage stamp)
Michael Scott (Dublin writer)
Mary Stokes (The sister of Niall Stokes and the greatest female Blues singer in Ireland)
Jesus (Any dude who can walk on water must be respected!) (Appeared on an Irish postage stamp)
Micheal O'Connor (former football player/manager)
Gerry Adams (Great writer, story teller)
Pat Shortt (Musician, writer, actor, director, comedian) (Appeared on an Irish postage stamp)
Red Lemonade (Because it confuses the Yanks and the Brits!)
Pat Ingoldsby (Great poet)
09/04/2009, 7:36 AM
jumping jac

Ciaran Carey
Muhamad Ali
Mike Tyson
Marco Antonio Barrera
Ken Doherty
Arnie/Sly/Bruce Willis
Johnny Depp
Marlon Brando
Tom Hanks
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Pogues (Well Shane)
Luke Kelly
Hunter S Thompson
Roald Dahl
Charles Dickens
Stephen King
Tim Burton
John Carpenter
Martin Scorsese
Nelson Mandela
Bobby Sands
Che Guevara
09/04/2009, 7:52 AM
bennocelt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrufil

Some right strange people here picked as Heroes!

Obama? What the hell has he ever done for you personally?
Morrissey? AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH:eek: An insult to the world of music.
Bob Geldof? Sure when you're rich it is easy to preach about giving to the third world, plus every chance he gets he likes to belittle the Irish way of life.
Alex Higgins? This dude should be locked up, do some research about him before posting him as a hero.

My Heroes:
Rory Gallagher (guitar player) (Appeared on an Irish postage stamp)
Pat Ingoldsby (Great poet)

Obama is cool
Morrisey is cool
Agree with Bob Geldof - im also surprised how many people put him on there lists - I mean him and Bono are an embarrassment to the nation - but then maybe people put him down on their list for his music:eek:
Alex H - you obviously are not a fan of snooker then!!!!!!:rolleyes:

Rory Ga is cool
And Pat was cool - have you ever seen him on the streets of Dublin selling his books - or at least it looks like him - he should be back on our TV - he was great in the 80's
09/04/2009, 8:58 AM
Magicme

Scrufil, they are personal heroes, and if you dont agree with them then that is your opinion but here goes with my response!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrufil

Some right strange people here picked as Heroes!

Obama? - given me hope that someday everyone will be treated equally
Bob Geldof? - Brought a desperate situation to the attention of the world, used his fame for purposes other than money spinning for himself and helped other famous people think about looking outside their bubble. Alot to admire in him, even down to taking in his daughters sister when she was orphaned.
Niall Stokes & Jackie Hayden? They are heroes to me on a personal level, they both changed my life somewhat and my time working with them were the happiest days of my life. Also with regard to Hotpress, they have campaigned for some vital issues and brought a voice to young people for 30 odd years now, whether you like the style of their writing or not is irrelevant, its the intention behind it all that makes it worthwhile. They have given Irish bands a launchpad in many ways.

My Heroes:

Gerry Adams - is only a hero for getting away with that awful beard for years
Pat Shortt - together with Brendan Carroll make up the unfunniest people on the planet
Pat Ingoldsby - no a slightly eccentric man who writes mildly amusing poetry. For a great poet check out Shelley, Heaney or Kavanagh
09/04/2009, 9:04 AM
gustavo

Noel Gallagher
Jim Carrey
Raffaele Cretaro
Robbie Keane
Bill Hicks
Kurt Cobain
Frank Skinner
Brian O'Driscoll
Julian Casablancas
Ricky Gervais
Terry O'Quinn
Ronaldinho
09/04/2009, 9:21 AM
holidaysong

Stephen Fry
Charles Thompson (AKA Frank Black AKA Black Francis)
Tony Gregory (deceased)
David Norris
Garret Fitzgerald
Colin Scanlon
09/04/2009, 11:14 AM
Rory H

Jim....
09/04/2009, 2:30 PM
superfrank

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrufil

Hunter S. Thompson ??????? Who?
Michael Parkinson? Who?
Jeff Stelling? Who?
Dick Spring? Preach to the masses and then get out of Labour and line his pockets with money earned on state boards (money for the old boys club)

Hunter S. Thompson = Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, surreal writer.
Michael Parkinson = Can't believe you don't know who he is, especially after he's been in the news over his Jade Goody comments.
Jeff Stelling = Sky Sports football announcer. He's great entertainment.

Dick Spring = The Spring Tide and for keeping Bertie away from the Taoiseach's seat for two and a half years.
09/04/2009, 2:55 PM
Mr A

Earthworm Jim.
Pinky and the Brain.
09/04/2009, 3:32 PM
passinginterest

Captain Planet - He's a hero!
Gonna take pollution down to zero!

I suppose my biggest heroes would have been sporting, people like Sonia O'Sullivan, Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullagh, pretty much any Irish sportsperson to have any international success. On a more local level, Gorge O'Connor, Liam Dunne, Martin Storey, Ger Cushe and Tom Dempsey would have to get a mention, the great Wexford hutling team if the 90's.

I've never really had political heroes I suppose Nelson Mandela is as close as it gets. No writers that I'd call heroes, plenty of authors that I enjoy reading but no hero per say, well maybe Enid Blyton :)

On another note I interviewed Jakie Hayden for a radio show on South East radio as part of a PLC course I was on. He's a very nice man and is credtited with discovering U2 (probably makes him even less worthy of hero status for many on here!).
10/04/2009, 11:22 AM
Red&White Rover

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rovers fan

Jim.....

My choice also.

Indescribable.
10/04/2009, 12:51 PM
thesilverfox

John Hayes
Jim
10/04/2009, 2:38 PM
Rovers fan

Jim looks to be near the lead with 5 votes, heroic stuff.
10/04/2009, 6:50 PM
jebus

How the hell does that guy not know who Hunter Thompson is and yet doesn't have an issue with me having Charles Bukowski on the list? :confused:

Agree on Geldof, insufferable prat who mouths off about affairs that have nothing to do with him. I also have zero respect for any millionaire who practically berates working people to stop being so greedy and to give money to a cause that will never be solved by working people handing over their money
10/04/2009, 10:11 PM
osarusan

Quote:

Originally Posted by thischarmingman

George Orwell
Charles Dickens
Clint Eastwood
Ricky Gervais
Bill Hicks
Spike Milligan
Michael Palin
Bob Dylan
Richard Dawkins
Corny though it may be, every person in Ireland who goes regularly to see their local side play. :)

Jesus, you might be my alter ego.

oh, wait.........

Quote:

Originally Posted by thischarmingman

F. Scott Fitzgerald

ah......maybe not.
11/04/2009, 1:31 PM
Scrufil

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfrank

Hunter S. Thompson = Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, surreal writer.
Michael Parkinson = Can't believe you don't know who he is, especially after he's been in the news over his Jade Goody comments.
Jeff Stelling = Sky Sports football announcer. He's great entertainment.

Dick Spring = The Spring Tide and for keeping Bertie away from the Taoiseach's seat for two and a half years.

I can honestly say I'd never heard of Hunter S Thompson nor of 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' until I read it here. I just wondered why more than one person here picked him out. I suppose it could be some airy pie in the sky journalistic favourite style thing.
I have heard of Micheal Parkinson but he registers as a nobody on my scale as I don't watch BBC, ITV, Channel 4, rarely watch TV3 and I refuse to subscribe to anything remotely related to Sky, hence the reason why I've never heard of Stelling.
I regard Dick Spring as being even worse than Bertie Ahern in terms of creaming off Irish money.

There are other choices here that remain just that - choices, but there tends to be no expansion on why this pick was made. I shots holes in the ones that caught my eye as being strange.

Magicme wrote:
For a great poet check out Shelley, Heaney or Kavanagh.

I've read these. Heaney is still alive but is only an average poet in my opinion. He tends to overuse the same few phrases too often nor, as far as I'm aware, has he ever written anything in Irish. He has limitations in the variety of his subjects too.
14/04/2009, 12:32 PM
Wolfie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrufil

Some right strange people here picked as Heroes!

Hunter S. Thompson ??????? Who?
Michael Parkinson? Who?
Jeff Stelling? Who?
Declan Lynch? You mean that fella who wrote a few books and scribbles in the papers? You can't pick him he's my deceased father in law's nephew!

This should help:

http://www.ScrufilAid.ie/
14/04/2009, 12:44 PM
anto1208

George W Bush .. just for getting away with it.

On geldof i can see why people list him he saw a problem and tried to fix it, just because aid to Africa ended up being one of the biggist mistake of the western world is not his fault.