Come to Cork this March 17

[razor]

Republicans see red over Orange invitation to parade
SINN FEIN has reacted angrily to a decision by St Patrick's Day parade organisers in Cork to invite members of the Orange Order to take part in this year's event.

The Order has been asked to participate in the parade as part of the "Lagan to the Lee" cross-border initiative between Belfast and Cork. The programme aims to promote greater harmony in north-south relations.

However, Jonathan O'Brien, Sinn Fein councillor in Cork city, yesterday slammed the move by parade organisers to invite the Orange order to the city, saying it was a "bizarre" act which could harm rather than help the peace process.

"I do have concerns about inviting the Orange Order to the parade in Cork's year as Capital of Culture. The organisers say the initiative is about inclusiveness but there is nothing inclusive about the Orange Order. They are a sectarian organisation. Catholics aren't even allowed to join. What is inclusive about that?"

He plans to discuss the issue at Sinn Fein's party meeting in Cork this evening and says he has contacted his colleagues in the north to discuss the matter.

A vote will also take place tonight at Belfast City Council on whether funding will be provided for the trip.

[pete]

Seems like good idea to me. When you get people from different backgrounds mixing its how breakdown prejudices.

Orange Order is pretty much a religious organisation so is kinda like criticising the Roman Catholic Chruch cos won't allow Jews join.

[tiktok]

Jesus, old men wearing Miss World Sashes and bowler hats walking down Pana and a knee-jerk reaction from the republicans.
You're not going to get any kind of agreement if people can't even walk down the street with each other. Well done to the Parade committee for taking a chance.

[patsh]

I would have to support the invitation, and it is a positive move, but I can understand the reservations of a lot of people, not just Shinners.
The Orange Order is an anti-Catholic sectarian organisation, whose leaders, in particular, number some of the most bitter bigots on the island.
I welcome it for the "bridge-building" aspect of things, but I hope it's not seen as somehow legitimising their bigotry. At the moment, the self same Order is actively demanding that President MacAleese not visit the Shankhill road.

[liam88]

Digusting to be honest....and I'm not being secaterian and I am fed up with Sinn Feinn and the IRA but I would take this line even if SF didn't.......who can you invite these biggots to a predominantly Catholic city which has a proud place in history with great mean like Michael Collins and Kevin Barry. That's not just dragging up the past but the oo are a real problem and while they insist on marching on Dumcree/Shortstrand etc. and intimidating people why should they be INVITED to march on our city.
Seems to me a lot of Cork folk have lost pride in their City'd history and place in Ireland.

[BobbyHans]

"Kevin Barry" - Sorry don't you mean Tom Barry?? I thought Kevin Barry was from Dublin?

[liam88]

"Kevin Barry" - Sorry don't you mean Tom Barry?? I thought Kevin Barry was from Dublin?

Ooops
However if I remember Kevin did fight in Cork at some point....

[A face]

Lads, these guys have been marching all over the place in catholic countries, Italy, Germany, Poland, Iceland .. The States. They were in the Paddys day parade in New York aswell. It is not a rub your noses in it type thing ... there have been several documentary / magazine type programs about them and others being invited and inviting other etc. and they have been well receivied in most places. Why do the shinners sit up now all of a sudden, why weren't they giving out before.

This is a great gesture IMO. And it is a perfect opportunity for all the shinners to show how they want to bury the hatchet and appreciate other cultures/religions/people and that they accept other people (on this occasion another group in a parade) for who they are on face value and not stigma and that they are part of modern Ireland and are forward looking.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see if the shinners show what some would say are their "true colours". The only thing is though, half of Europe will be watching, being the day that is in it. Also, if you have any anti-OO stuff going on, the shinners will get blamed and you'll also have the general public saying "will you look at that, what a disgrace ... sure why are we suprised, sure didn't they do that bank job aswell"

The ball may well be in the shinners court !!
The general public would welcome them down.

[GavinZac]

The general public would welcome them down.

im in no way a republican, barely a catholic and only irish because i was born here (i dont get the pride thing).

but to invite an organisation that marches as a form of intimidation, provokation and celebration of a bloody battle that let to many more bloody battles, is ludicrous.
maybe there weill be a few apathists that dont mind seeing silly dresed men talking a walk, but from pre-teen pikey celtic fans to conditioned, proud old ladies, the general public will not be welcoming

[thecorner]

The ball may well be in the shinners court !!
The general public would welcome them down.

think u could be a part of a minority there, a face

[patsh]

Did a straw pole amongst a bunch of fairly politically apathetic friends of mine last night, and a few "older" citizens. All 9 people were fairly luke warm about the idea, and the older people totally against it. They didn't see why a group opposed to their religion and who are anti-pope should be allowed march in "our" parade. A lot of people think of Paisley who has spread nothing but hatred against us and our country, so they really don't want them here.

I'm not sure that too many people will welcome them, A Face.

[lopez]

...They were in the Paddys day parade in New York aswell...

Are you sure about that? St Pat's Parade NY is run by the Catholic version of marching bigots, the Ancient Order of Hibernians. They don't like dem goddam faggots marching with them. Can't see them allowing the OO.

As for this visit, couldn't care less. In my opinion whenever they march in the Republic it sort of eliminates their 'triumphalism' and it turns into either farcical or entertaining 'culture'. And unlike the Garvaghy Road, they've been invited this time. Regarding religious bigotry, see the AOH for a Catholic version of that and it still didn't stop me watching the St Pat's parade in NY.

[Éanna]

I've long been of the opinion that people should adopt a different approach to dealing with this lot. Instead of protesting against them, stand at the side of the road, and when they walk past, just point and laugh. Ridicule them instead of giving them the satisfaction of annoying people- easier said than done I know.

As for this case, I really don't know. I would consider myself a nationalist, but in no way a catholic. That said, this group are sectarian and provocative as GavinZac said. I'd have no problem having any unionist/loyalist/protestant group involved in the parade, once they were not actively promoting discrimination, as this lot do. FFS, give the Shankill Rd Rangers Supporters Club their own float, but not this lot of dinosaurs.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Ah yes we Limerock folks have been having orange bands down for years (we knew our Corkonian brothers and sisters would catch up eventually )...loyalist flute bands too ...and they always got nought but a hearty round of applause and a good day out. Bloody good bands too by all accounts. A key issue is though that they're invited to march rather than presuming to.

I don't feel their participation in celebrating the patron saint of their islands day in any way condones contentious marches in N.I.
There's usually a couple of letters of objection in the Leader and that's it -usually from the Republican Sinn Fein Loo-laas. The same ones who refer to "their Friend" Nelson Mandela, demand meetings with American Ambassadors to discuss their proposals for the peace process and who recieve less than seventy votes in an election.

[dancinpants]

Lads, these guys have been marching all over the place in catholic countries, Italy, Germany, Poland, Iceland .. The States.

And the 26 counties EVERY summer!!!. Sure don't the have a wee parade in Rossknowlagh Co. Donegal every 12th July? And if memory serves me correct they have marched in Cavan and possibly Monaghan aswell!!!

[liam88]

Ah yes we Limerock folks have been having orange bands down for years (we knew our Corkonian brothers and sisters would catch up eventually )...loyalist flute bands too ...and they always got nought but a hearty round of applause and a good day out. Bloody good bands too by all accounts.

I really do not understand......call me a bigot or whatever but I can't get my head round this.....the Limerick council or whoever invite loyalist flute bands the come and play songs like the sash and build my gallows etc. and everyone turns out to watch them....... what's going on?

Again; no being a bigot but surely it's just a bit strange.....I mean if I marched my mates down Guildford high street playing Kevin Barry, Merry Ploughboy and I took a s*at on the Union Jack I'm sure everyone round here would have something to say about it! (admittidly I've sung the first two in many public places and down many streets but at nothing organised!)

[Eire06]

Michael Collins is turning in his grave as we speak....

It is the worst Idea I've ever heard....

We were considering going to Cork for Paddy's day but think I'll stay where i am

[liam88]

Michael Collins is turning in his grave as we speak....

It is the worst Idea I've ever heard....

We were considering going to Cork for Paddy's day but think I'll stay where i am

Finally-someone speaking some sense!

They'll be laying a reef on bil*y w*ights grave next "from the people of Cork"; I'm just glad those dinasours arn't coming anywhere near Cobh

[liam88]

Are you sure about that? St Pat's Parade NY is run by the Catholic version of marching bigots, the Ancient Order of Hibernians. They don't like dem goddam faggots marching with them. Can't see them allowing the OO.

As for this visit, couldn't care less. In my opinion whenever they march in the Republic it sort of eliminates their 'triumphalism' and it turns into either farcical or entertaining 'culture'. And unlike the Garvaghy Road, they've been invited this time. Regarding religious bigotry, see the AOH for a Catholic version of that and it still didn't stop me watching the St Pat's parade in NY.

Have nothing against the AOH maself-they started up to protect Catholic Priests from c*omwells men and went on to protect Catholic Irish immigrants from religious persecution in America. They have built monuments for those perished in the famine and help one another out-they have recently raised a lot of money for the Tsunami relief

[liam88]

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/north...nd/4275523.stm