73 Comments

• seanomelb | May 07, 2012, 07:39 PM EDT

  I am Dublin born living in Australia. I set my own agenda on what topic I wish to post on, not your narrow minded hate topics which have no credence or commonsense. I did not attack Australia, I attacked pedophilia everywhere including Australia and you have your nose out of joint because I named an Anglican Archbishop who was accused of covering up Pedophilia in the protestant church and had to resign as Governor General. You on the other hand only see religious bigotry and blame the Irish for the unemployment rate in Britain,you are a bigoted fool and I chose to set my own agenda and cut you off. I'm done talking to a mean spirited hateful individual.

• allan07 | May 07, 2012, 04:29 AM EDT

  @seanomelb In your total ignorance you can explain nothing to me. NOTHING! Here you go again wishing to talk about Australia. You are very selective in your argument always picking another country such as Australia. Lets talk about GB and in particular the cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and London. I ask the question again which you have very carefully avoided. Since there are many unemployed English and Scottish young people in Liverpool, Manchester, London and Glasgow why the Irish such as yourself think that employment should be given to them over the English, Scottish and other British people. Like Gordon Brown said "British jobs for BRITISH people". So the Republic of Ireland citizens should NOT be given employment in Britain. You have had your independence for 90 years and you still expect the British to support you. No way. "You have made your bed so lie in it". Even after been loaned £10 billion by Britain you then wish to steal our jobs. Your on your own. Sink or swim. I am not anti-Irish you fool I am Northern Irish and British. I was born in Tyrone and 100% British. 90 years of independence and the Republic is a failed state like Ethiopia. The Irish are doing the same to the US. Wanting E3 passport visas which will allow them to obtain emplolment in the US. (Even over the US citizens whom were born there). How two faced can the Irish be. If the Irish can't support their own wear a condom. Simples except to fools like you.

• seanomelb | May 06, 2012, 07:03 PM EDT

  In your total ignorance of the Australian economy I will explain. Australia has a shortage of labour especially in the "trades" it is one of the worlds strongest economy's.Maybe you should focus on the sad state of your European economy of which you are a member.I can only say once again I condemn all pedophilia. You are bogged down in your anti Catholic anti Irish rhetoric and boring. Unless you have something intelligent or different to say please sign off.I have better things to do with my time.

• allan07 | May 06, 2012, 08:52 AM EDT

  @seanomelb Do NOT worry about Australia or the crimes committed or alleged to have been committed there. Focus on the paedophile criminal acts being committed in Ireland. Ie. The Head of the Roman Catholic Church (Brady)in IRELAND obtained the names, addresses and details given to him by the victims of his Church and then doing NOTHING about it. He didn't go to the police. Why not? Isn't that criminal behaviour in itself? Perverting the course of justice its called. Deliberating not passing on information about criminal behaviour and by not doing so allowed more criminal behaviour to be carried out. He is a free thinking person. By not going to the Police, Brady allowed paedophile criminal acts within his Church to continue. From 1975 to the present. For 46 years he did nothing. Brady was supposed to have passed on the information to others in higher authority so of he did why didn't they act? All whom were in knowledge should have gone to the police but they did nothing. The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has covered up the criminal activities of priests within its organisation. In short they are bang to rights and should be behind bars for many years. They should now be charged with perverting the course of justice. With regard to the Irish leaving for Australia they are taking employment from Australians. So dont be upset if the Polish take up employment in Dublin. There are many unemployed English young people in Liverpool and Manchester who deserve to be employed but the Irish are stealing employment from them. (In their own country). How two faced can you be?

• seanomelb | May 05, 2012, 06:58 PM EDT

  First of all I do not read fairytales.I don't abuse polish people in Ireland and if some Irish people wish to emigrate to Australia good on them.I can assure you there are immigrants coming in from Britain as well as Ireland. I'm not finger pointing at Australia. Australia like Europe(of which you are are part of)have documented cases of pedophilia. Your post is nonsensical and fails to make a genuine point.Quoting the bible seems to be your fall back position when you have nothing tangible to say.

• allan07 | May 05, 2012, 05:07 AM EDT

  @seanomeb here you go again finger pointing at the Australians. As if by finding another example somewhere else in the world it someway makes its correct that paedophile acts are not happening in the Republic of Ireland/Northern Ireland. Matthew 7.3 and i quote from the King James Version of the bible QUOTE "You Hypocrite, first Cast out the beam out of your eye: and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye" UNQUOTE. In other words leave the problems in Australia to the people of Australia to resolve and fix your own before you finger point. In so many ways the Irish are masters at this trick. Eg. Many are racist against coloured people and EU people and accuse them of stealing employment in Ireland. No other nation such as the Irish have moved around the planet and stolen employment from the people who have lived there. Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Boston USA are extremely good examples. Its a typical case of wanting to keep their cake and eat it at the same time. Why abuse Polish people in Dublin and then expect Irish people to seek employment in Australia. It speaking with fork tongue. The Irish are masters at speaking with fork tongue. Do you not think that in Liverpool or Manchester there are no unemployed English young people whom are seeking employment and this has been stolen from them by the Irish. Matthew 7.3 refers. Read it for yourself. To understand it is more important.

• seanomelb | May 04, 2012, 11:36 PM EDT

  There you go again making false accusations now what did Jesus say about that,you're a little sanctimonious I would think. I have been a strong advocate on this site for the imprisonment of all those responsible for pedophilia including the Church of england retired archbishop of Brisbane who stepped down as Governor General of Australia for his roll in covering up pedophilia in the protestant church. I have written hundreds of pieces over the years condemning pedophilia in the Catholic church unlike you my memory is not selective in pursuit of any offenders. You justify your whole being in all posts denigrating the Catholic church (of which I am not a follower)on this site. You're an anti Irish,anti catholic bigot and you try to hard to hide the fact.

• darrenokeffee | May 04, 2012, 05:31 PM EDT

  HA,HA,Nice 1 M.D spend all your life giving out about american imperialism and its support for dictators and the chance of a trip to the great satan and you go all fawning and weak at the knee whats next for the government jet a trip to your other friends?? in the middle east quote us a bit of poetry there mick will ya.champagne socialist you'd better believe it. i support both countries rights to defend themselves by any means,rather be with em then agin em

• allan07 | May 04, 2012, 12:01 PM EDT

  @seanomelb I am anti many things yes but what makes my blood boil is people like you who always finger point at others and the wrong doing they are alleged to have committed whilst not looking in your own back yard. Wasn't it Jesus said "Cast a moat of thee own eye first". So when its comes to the indescent sexual behaviour of the Roman Catholic Church I never hear a Roman Catholic (devout ot otherwise) state their anger at the Church. Has every Roman Catholic lost their tongues. No. Then whats happened to stating the truth when paedophile acts have been conducted by the priests of the Roman Catholic Church over many years? Why does no-one want to talk about these important matters? If not then why not? Life have been damaged and people have suffered. Some have been scarred for life and some have committed suicide. If a Clergyman of the Protestant Churches carried out criminal acts then I would condemn their behaviour. Roman Catholics just go into silent mode as if they have taken a vow of silence. If a teacher had committed the crimes the priests have committed would you be so quiet? NO. What is the difference? NONE. So why act differently towards these paedophiles? They are no different to Gary Glitter except he didnt use religion to hide behind. A teacher would be sacked on the grounds of gross misconduct but these priests are being shielded by their employer? Why? Its stinks and people like you @seanomelb just play it down as if its a minor mistake. Its criminal behaviour. They should be serving time for many years. But no they are Roman Catholic priests the law of the land is different for them. Discrimination in every sense of the word. Their criminal behaviour doesn't deserve descent people to support it. By saying nothing then you are supporting it. So stop supporting criminal behaviour by acting the way you do.

• seanomelb | May 03, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT

  alan07 Ciara and Stevenfallingstar both have a swipe at yours truly and you do not admonish them for doing so,I can only conclude that you believe some people can make derogatory statements and others cannot. As for your illogical reasonings in justifying your point of view I find them amusing. You are anti Irish anti Catholic and you will swim in any sewer to lend credence to your point of view.

• allan07 | May 03, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT

  @seanomelb if you are shown to the world that your talking rubbish your response is to start name calling. Abusing everyone else who has a different opinion even if they back up their opinion with facts, examples and references from books, internet and other sources. Not very wise in a debate. Why not put your point across and cross reference it with a source? (because you cant as its made up). Your last post had a swipe at Ciara, Stevenstar and myself. Not bad in one post. As for Higgins the president of the Republic of Ireland i dont care a flying frog. Hes the president of a foreign country the Republic of Ireland. I am more interested in the head of China or other Mongolia. We here in Northern Ireland have our Queen as head and she is doing a good job. Jubilee year and all that.

• sirpeter | May 02, 2012, 10:06 PM EDT

  aloistmartin.You mean America don't have enough Poor,Ignorant and Mongrel Races?Are you sure ye want more?

• seanomelb | May 02, 2012, 08:09 PM EDT

  Ciara you are entitled to you inept opinion and how long did I live in Ireland??. Allan 07 we are posting here on a different subject,you and Stevenfallingstar need to get out of that rut your brains are in. Hey Stevenfallingstar I live in a nice big home drive a European car and have loads of cash did not have a uni education and I think my written English is superior to yours,oops I forgot to mention the cabin cruiser.Your full of ignorant crap and thats from a good old working class Dublin boy you turd.

• aloistmartin | May 02, 2012, 06:58 PM EDT

  Give me Your Poor, Your Ignorant, Your Mongrel Races yearning to Breath Free ?

• clevelander | May 02, 2012, 04:56 PM EDT

  @stevenstar Wow the bigotry, hate and intolerance you have for others speaks volumes of who you are. I can assure you that not one of your assumptions of me is accurate or fair. For a self proclaimed educated woman, you sure do go right to the gutter and insult people instead of real debate. Not something I would expect from an educated woman. I have been thru American Immigration many a time. I have no problem with it. I am not doing anything to be afraid of, so I go with the flow and get on with out a care. Also please tell me one time just one time I have ever said a bad word about the English people. They are like everyone else. Some bigots (like you) some great,some not so good. It's the English Gov't I do not agree with. I will not change, my attitude is OK with me. If you don't like it do not read my post's. Have a nice day you bigot.

• allan07 | May 02, 2012, 03:36 PM EDT

  @seanomelb i have replied to your request about Cul Dreimhne. Columba lost 3000 in battle, king Diarmait a few at most. Columba lost by a country mile and went into exile to Iona. Lowells Blog St. Columba and Charlesjames hubpages an intelligent history are my sources. Whos got a tilted view of history now? Which part of the truth don't you like? The facts perhaps! Like I said saints dont exist here on planet earth. The Roman Catholic Church do not have any saints within their church thats for sure. The sex scandal, widespread abuses and the coverup that followed has proved that. Today its been on the main news. A cover up by the head Brady and his paedophiles. Hardly the behaviour of Saints. Fancy getting names and addresses of the victims and then not doing anything about it. Criminal behaviour and most certainly totally immoral. Then they preach about morals. They are having a laugh. They should resign with immediate effect if the Church doesn't sack them. But the RC Church willn't do that either. Criminals hiding behind their dogcollars. How many hail marys will that be for Brady?

• ciaradexy | May 02, 2012, 03:19 PM EDT

  Seanomelb, Ive met people from all over the world who live in Ireland and they know more about Ireland than you do! Probably because theyve lived in Ireland longer than you!

• ciaradexy | May 02, 2012, 03:14 PM EDT

  Dukmarsh, do you think they came here to improve employment or did they come here because there was a skilled work force and they could open here and pay little or no tax and then move to another country such as Poland when costs got too high here?

• dukmarshal@aol.com | May 02, 2012, 01:52 PM EDT

  @ Bythebay, Do/did those US corps. employ Irish citizens? Did the unemployment rate drop as these companies opened shop in Ireland? Did these companies pay a fair living wage to those they employed? Yes their bottom line was profits, but do not tell me Ireland did not benefit.

• BrianO | May 02, 2012, 11:55 AM EDT

  America as a whole doesn't know he's coming and won't have known he was here, after he leaves. With all due respect.

• Briandee | May 02, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT

  Chase the nigs and wogs out and youll have ALL my support. What a disgrace to see what you stupid micks are doing to my homelands. Wake up.

• ancavker | May 02, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT

  STEVEN: You are right you would be in an even bigger mess were it not for people leaving to England. However the English are back in recession, so why the Irish are over there looking for work makes no sense to me. As far as the English people,I love them friendly,and no going on about how bad America is. And I love the Plastic Paddies in Manchester. So you see STEVEN even with all of yer'e education, your crowd still made a mess of the place. The founding fathers gave you a gift of freedom, and the chance to build a new Ireland, and you threw it away. So much for yer'e education. Oh and I don't like you, because what serious grown man uses a tanning bed?

• 89west | May 02, 2012, 07:40 AM EDT

  Plastic Paddy is a laughable term when one hears some of the other endearing euphemisms used to denote the hyphenated Americans on the green holiday or at other times when they try to prove their "irishness". However, for most of us, we were able to fit seamlessly into the place of our birth and readily recognized there is no umbilical cord tying us to the old country. In regard to the Natl. Army Museum's search for the man who beat the Brits, George Washington was selected hands down and it was revealed during the selection process that George III is purported to have said, "that if George Washington returned to his farm after winning independence, he will be the greatest man in the world". Now two centuries later George III's countrymen still seem to agree.

• bogsidebunny | May 02, 2012, 07:20 AM EDT

  Attention all ye "Irish-Americans". Higgins is a rabid SOCIALIST. He's stroking the Americans for one reason and one reason only. To collect money so he can go back to Ireland assured that the "redistribution coffers" will have a fresh supply of Yankee dollars to hand out for Social welfare, housing allowence, single-parent allowence, children's allowence for African assylum seekers, Romanian and other Eastern European vagabonds.

• IrelandNorth | May 02, 2012, 06:18 AM EDT

  The term "Plastic Paddy" was coined by Shane McGowan of traditional punk rock group 'The Pógs/Kisses.' Shane was born in England to Irish emigrant parents. PP therefore only refers only to English born Irish! (Might I suggest Platinum Paddies for Irish-Americans!) We don't know if a majority don't support President Higgin's trip to USA, however opinionated such claimants. A poll hasn't been conducted. Certainly, no unelected person speaks for anyone other than themselves. Surely Ulster unionist/-British loyalists on line (allan07/SS-BB-BTB-&c., - who protest their Britishness in Ireland) should intuitively empathise with Irish-Americans as settlers in a foreign land. Monarchs are unelected. How is does one quantify their franchise? King George III was king of England and the 13 Colonies, until the other George and the Patriots, (whom he would have considered terrorists!), disabused him of that illusion. Unfortunately, power-sharing in the neo-provincial statlet of Ulster/Northern Ireland would have been improbably in the absence of insurrection. The history of the British Empire is replete with precedents of concessions to rebels and insurgents. I do wish imperialists would listen more attentively. It would save so much travail in the long run. And yes, Ireland is not anti-English. It's only anti-British rule in Ireland!

• STEVENSTAR | May 01, 2012, 11:38 PM EDT

  AND TO THE TWO IRISH IDIOTS clevelander & seanomelb LET ME JUST SAY THAT IF YOU LOST YOUR JOB TOMORROW ..TRY GOING TO AMERICA THROUGH SHANNON OR DUBLIN/ CORK IMMIGRATION .. YOU'LL BE FINGER PRINTED.. YOU'LL BE QUESTIONED, YOU'LL BE QUIZZED AND YOU'LL BE SCREENED AND THEN THEY' LL TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR EYES AND THATS ALL BEFORE YOU EVEN GET ON THE PLANE TO AMERICA TO GO ON HOLIDAY ..NEVERMIND WORK.. AMERICANS TREAT US LIKE CROOKS AND CRIMINALS .. ON THE OTHER HAND TRY GOING TO WORK IN ENGLAND WITH THE MILLIONS OF OTHER IRISH IN ENGLAND AND YOU'LL BE WELCOMED AND LEFT IN WITH NO RESTRICTIONS WHEN I HEAR IDIOTS LIKE YOU GIVING OUT ABOUT BRITISH PEOPLE BELIEVE ME WITHOUT THE UK AND ALL THE IRISH PEOPLE WHO GO THERE FOR JOBS ETC ETC WE IN IRELAND WOULD BE IN A MUCH BIGGER MESS THEN WE ARE ALREADY IN NOW ..YOUR OLD ATTITUDES NEED TO CHANGE AND NEED TO CHANGE FAST BEFORE IRELAND BECOMEES AN EVEN BIGGER LAUGH THEN IT IS AT THE MOMENT..

• STEVENSTAR | May 01, 2012, 11:14 PM EDT

  @clevelander | May 01, 2012, 09:56 PM EDT @stevenfalling;)star. I am Irish in Ireland. Please do not confuse your west brit mentality that if I disagree with you I must be from outside your limited intelligence group of angelo's.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LETS SEE IF I CAN BUILD A CHARACTER PROFILE OF U THEN WITHOUT EVER MEETING YOU .... ;-) FINISHED SCHOOL AT LEAVING CERT NEVER REALLY TRAVELLED SPEAK WITH A CULCHIE ACCENT AND STILL PROBABLY LIVE AT HOME WITH MAMMY AND DADDY WAITING TO GET THE FARM OF LAND ??? >>>>>>>> ME I HAVE TRAVELLED LIVED IN LONDON MY PARTNER IS FROM UK AND IVE BEEN TO MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD ... IM 100% IRISH BUT WHEN I BUMP INTO PEOPLE LIKE YOU .. YOU NEVER SEEM TO LIKE PEOPLE LIKE ME .. DUE TO ME BEEN EDUCATED I SPEAK WELL DRESS WELL AND HAVE A NICE CAR AND HOME ... WHAT YOU SEEM TO SUFFER FROM IS THAT SMALL MINDED IRISHNESS WHICH I HATE ABOUT IRISH PEOPLE .. U HAVE A NICE DAY ;-)

• STEVENSTAR | May 01, 2012, 11:10 PM EDT

  clevelander | May 01, 2012, 09:56 PM EDT>>>>>>>>> ARE U IRA ?

• KilkennyCats | May 01, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT

  I would like to retract my statement that referred to today's Irish as "a sorry generation". Arrogant of me, uncalled for and unjustified. I of course had only bythebay, STEVENSTAR and one or two others in mind. To the rest, my apologies.

• clevelander | May 01, 2012, 09:56 PM EDT

  @stevenfalling;)star. I am Irish in Ireland. Please do not confuse your west brit mentality that if I disagree with you I must be from outside your limited intelligence group of angelo's.

• seanomelb | May 01, 2012, 09:12 PM EDT

  Stevenfallingstar speaking as an Irishman I find some American posters on IC more Irish than the Irish themselves. In particularly the west brit types or the mean spirited types like you.

• STEVENSTAR | May 01, 2012, 08:41 PM EDT

  WHY ARE SO MANY AMERICANS ON HERE GOING ON AND ON AND ON ABOUT IRELAND U DONT EVEN LIVE HERE ???.. THEN YOUR GOING ON ABOUT THE N IRISH AND THE BRITS FOR GODS SAKE GIVE IT UP AS AN IRISHMAN I THINK YOU AMERICANS ARE WAY WAY WAY TO INTERFERRING !!!

• KilkennyCats | May 01, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT

  ByTheBay (West Brit): Redmond's so-called "Home Rule" would still have had Westminster (not Dublin) in charge of all of Ireland's foreign policy issues, army and navy issues and custom duties, and the Irish would attend Westminster. Gee, thanks for nothing Redmond. Even the Ulster unionists didn't support the idea! If that is considered "home rule" in your book, turn your book rightside up for crissakes. At least 26 are free today, and that is TRUE home rule (although admittedly today's sorry generation obviously can't seem to run the show by themselves very well now, can they?).

• seanomelb | May 01, 2012, 07:15 PM EDT

  Micheal D comes from a long line of republicans,his father was interned in the Curragh. His credentials are fine. I hope he has a successful time in the USA.Byethebay is just another mean spirited ignorant anti-Irish bigot with no sense of history in fact his historical comments on IC are usually wrong. His reference about Redmond and home rule are incorrect. Redmond was duped by his English masters and the west brit types in Ireland.

• 89west | May 01, 2012, 06:44 PM EDT

  Bunkerhill and to the many hyphenated Americans on this site, it is reassuring to note that the National Army Museum in London gave their unanimous agreement to the fact George Washington best exemplified the most significant individual to alter the map of the British Empire. When this story ran on here, many had Rommel in contention, however, they had forgotten US industry and power can into play and saved the day for the Europeans. It is a shame so many people have forgotten their European history.

• Murph46 | May 01, 2012, 06:25 PM EDT

  Redmond also told the Irish if they fought for Britain ,they could expect a totally free Ireland,just another in a long list of lies.

• clevelander | May 01, 2012, 05:51 PM EDT

  WOW I must be going INSANE. I agree with ByTheBay on something. The American Corporations who invested in Ireland did so due to the Tax incentives offered, not for the good old Ireland. Once these are regulated by the E.U. they will fly away for the next tax haven. But as far as Mr. Redmond and his Nationalist Party. In 1921 when Mr. Collins signed the treaty Mr. Redmond was dead at least 2 years. Mr. John Dillon was the party head. Going back Mr.Redmond suggested to many a Irish solider to fight for the crown in WW1 in his words " a war that will last only a couple of months" How many Irish men died in that war? And for what? So they could be treated like second class citizens in there own country? If he was so sure of his position, why did he not accept Carson's appointment to the war cabinet? He had no idea that the 1916 Uprising was going to happen, even thou in 1913 Padraig Pearse stood with him for election? He was not in touch with the Irish. He was a good man with good intentions but just as many others he thought he could bring a United Ireland with the politics. If I thought for one minute that was the truth I would jump on the wagon today. I know you ByTheBay are happy and content with the border and separation, many are not. I am sure you are a fine Woman with good intentions. But please do not tell me how to feel and think. Your generalizations and LIES are getting Old.

• citizen69 | May 01, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT

  @bythebay: He asked them to help “make an Irishness of which we can be proud”. He's talking about the collective Irishness of the diaspora, that is not asking for support for Ireland.

• bunkerhill | May 01, 2012, 05:12 PM EDT

  Welcome President Michael Higgins, the first country on earth to ever have the concept, "All men are created equal," on which the credo our beautiful country the USA was based on. As for allan07, please know my ancestors arrived from "Olde Blighty" in 1719, and we arrived as freemen and not as "indentured servants" with a mindset unlike most of the loyalists. We fought in the American Revolution and have an ancestor commemorated on Bunker Hill and we fought again in the was of 1812 when the royals made another attempt. Even to this day we would never allow anyone to refer to us as "commoners" and will never grovel to ndigent royals. God Bless Ireland for their wonderful and ancient concept of equality for all, no commoners in that bunch. However for all those who choose to grovel, we respect your right to live in a row house while the royals have many properties with over 40,000 acres. God bless you for your generosity to them. I'm sure they greatly appreciate you.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 04:43 PM EDT

  el rubio, the Irish people didn't send him to the US and we DON'T want our taxes going for such frivolous trips to the US! He's very well paid and should be at home in Dublin earning his generous salary.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 04:40 PM EDT

  citizen69, read the first paragraph, duh.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 04:30 PM EDT

  KilkennyCats, in the US. Bigot throwback to 1921. Michael Collins signed the Treaty in 1921 agreeing to partition. It's over no matter what names you want to call anyone in Ireland today. Your IRA terrorists in Northern Ireland accomplished nothing. If your apparent heroes of 1916 had left it alone to Redmond's Irish Natinalist party, Ireland would have had home rule and no partition after WWI, eg. 1919. But bigots such as you wouldn't allow that because it would have meant an inclusive Ireland. Sod off.

• citizen69 | May 01, 2012, 04:07 PM EDT

  Is this another one of Irish Central's misleading headlines? As i can't see anywhere in this article where he asks for Irish-American support for Ireland.

• KilkennyCats | May 01, 2012, 03:25 PM EDT

  ByTheBay ... let it go already. We get your point, free-stater.

• RedBranch | May 01, 2012, 03:13 PM EDT

  Nice one el rubio

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT

  sirpeter, Ireland is 26 counties you idiot. County Donegal is the North of Ireland.

• sirpeter | May 01, 2012, 02:38 PM EDT

  Of course there is a North of Ireland you idiot.Four provinces in Ireland.Ulster is the northern one.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 02:32 PM EDT

  jimwhalen, there is no The North of Ireland. There is Northern Ireland, a separate country. For Ireland County Donegal is our north, not a separate country.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT

  Mickwall, those Fianna Fail loosers were booted out of Government in 2011 in a catastrophic denouncemnent by the Irish people.

• el rubio | May 01, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT

  Why doesn't the anti-american Higgins go to his ideological bedfellows for assistance? Surely his comrades in Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, North Korea, and the Peoples Republic of China would be more than happy to help such a brave anti-imperialist. After all, all we ignorant Irish-Americans hear from our enlightened Europeanized cousins, clad head to toe in Abercrombie and ManU gear is that we are just a bunch of plastic paddy's who aren't really Irish, and blood and heritage are irrelevant. Good luck building that Che statue, Senor Presidente!

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 02:27 PM EDT

  SeanO, Ireland is not anti-European. US businesses came to Ireland solely because it was cheaper than doing business elsewhere. All US businesses want is the profit motive. Irish America is anti-European because you'll lose your profitable tax ragtes in Ireland when the new European Financial Treaty is enacted. Irish America is anti-European because of their fear of losing control in Ireland. Well be advised you lost control of Ireland years ago.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 02:23 PM EDT

  SeanO, Ireland is by no means Anti-English. That's Irish America who supported IRA terrorists in Northern Ireland for 30 years and accomplished nothing except murder and property destruction in Northern Ireland, Ireland and England. We had an excellent visit by Queen Elizabeth II last year and flew the Union Jack over Government Buildings. It's the US with anti English bigotry and prejudice.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 02:20 PM EDT

  SeanO, Corporate America invested money in Ireland solely for its own profits, not by any means to help Ireland. And I can assure you as soon as the European Union standardizes Corporation Tax rate throughout the EU, US companies will be out of here with lightning speed. Ireland is only useful to the US so long as you make enormous profits and pay little taxes.

• allan07 | May 01, 2012, 01:55 PM EDT

  @Bythebay wise words and well said. Hes not representing Northern Ireland not ever. Not as long as his ass looks downwards. Our Queen Elizabeth 11 is doing a royal tour of GB and Northern Ireland and I believe a tour of Commonwealth Countries in her Diamond Jubilee. The only Higgins we liked here in Northern Ireland was Alex Higgins. He played great snooker which has been very good this year from the Crucible, Sheffield. I wanted Allen to win as hes a local lad from Northern Ireland. Maybe next year. Its also good for Northern Ireland to be the Rugby European Cup Final. Hope we beat the Leinster southerners in the final. Come on Northern Ireland.

• SeanO | May 01, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT

  The more corporate america invested in Ireland the more anti-american the Irish became,it was 2 billion euroes that Europe gave to Ireland for free, to build up Irish infracture & education that paved the way to attract foreign business, now the Irish are also turning anti european, #1 Anti English. #2 Anti American #3 Anti European. True to nature,Ireland bites the hand that feeds them.Ireland has a lot of growing up to do.

• Mickwall | May 01, 2012, 01:47 PM EDT

  Addresses delivered by Mr. Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, during the 2009 Irish Famine (Great Hunger) Commemoration, at Grosse Ile and Toronto, Canada can be found online.

• Mickwall | May 01, 2012, 01:31 PM EDT

  Canada was the country chosen for the overseas Irish Famine (Great Irish Hunger) Commemoration events in 2009. At that time events, in tribute to the Hunger Victims, were held at Grosse Ile and In Toronto. The Irish Government were well represented and their delegation was led by a Govenrment Minister. His speech, given at Grosse Ile, and more information can be found on Irish Government websites.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 12:43 PM EDT

  jimwhalen, he's representing Ireland, not Northern Ireland which is part of the UK. he is NOT President of Northern Ireland. They have Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch and David Cameron as their Prime Minister.

• jamieLM | May 01, 2012, 12:31 PM EDT

  Not my post today at 10:39 AM EDT.

• jimwhalen | May 01, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT

  I'm happy he's here representing "All of Ireland". Here in America, often Ireland Support means "The North". It's time to realize "The Republic" needs to be recognized and supported. I know loads of decendants that have all kinds of feelings about Ireland and "Most" have never gone over to see for themselves. The Ireland our forefathers left, in my case, 85 years ago, has changed. Just like here! So lets listen and contemplate what can be done to benefit all Irish, here, Ireland and around the world.... Slainte & "Up Mayo" Jim Whalen (decendant of Molloy's & Hession's)

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 12:25 PM EDT

  Mickwall, these trips accomplish nothing for Ireland at all except spend taxpayers money for naught. You all should be well able to observe your ancestors leaving Ireland during the Famine without Irish taxpayers spending money for Higgins first class trip which we can ill afford. There were Irish emigrants before and after the Famine, not just Famine emigrants. Irish politicians should not be expected to be on hand at Irish taxpayer expense for all emigrants observations in the US or elsewhere in the world. There is too much work to be done at home which he's being well paid to do.

• debimcguin | May 01, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT

  All I ever read about is Irish Americans, why not Irish Canadians????? When is he coming here????

• Mickwall | May 01, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT

  Leaving aside the fact that covering 25 events in six days, after a trip across the Atlantic, is hardly a "jaunt" for a person of President Higgins years let us please focus on the main reason for this visit. After more than 150 years the Irish Government designated an official day to commemorate the millions of Victims who died and had to leave Ireland due to the Great Irish Famine (The Great Irish Hunger) and the overseas events relating to this day will be in Boston on May 5. President Higgins will pay tribute to the victims in the city of Boston and it is for sure this will be appreciated by the many descendants of the Hunger Victims who call that great city their home. The fact that the President of Ireland will cover so many more events in his backbreaking schedule, and all in support of Ireland, is to his credit and deserves our applause for sure.

• ancavker | May 01, 2012, 11:34 AM EDT

  STEVEN: Yeah you are part of Europe, fat lot of good that has done for you. Just cannot stand on your own too feet; always on your knees. Except in your case you are on your tanning bed!!!!

• welcaro | May 01, 2012, 11:26 AM EDT

  I hope that Ireland rejects the pending referendum at the end of May. It seems to me, along with the fact Ireland's place has been usurped in the EU, this deal is only good for Merkle. Ireland should have gone the way of Iceland.

• jamieLM | May 01, 2012, 10:56 AM EDT

  I doubt the POTUS will be in the WH to receive any visitors.

• jamieLM | May 01, 2012, 10:39 AM EDT

  The Irish president should expect little from the current U.S. president as he (BO) has already gotten all the good PR from Ireland and as such they are no use to him now. If the IP wanted to help the deep distress of his citizens he'ld be better off meeting with business leaders that could increase employment, I wish my president would do the same. But alas today is the kick off for the occupy movement's attack on capitalism, just happens to be may day, just happens to be the day for communists, so next time you are told you are part of the 99%, know who they are, anti capitalist communists.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 10:29 AM EDT

  Bloomberg's so called Irish drunks were of course all Americans!! Urban Outfitters clothing for St. Patrick's Day in the US showing vomiting drunks just sooooo appropriate.

• Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 10:09 AM EDT

  Higgins trip to the US is solely a jaunt, certainly not supported by the majority of Irish people. When the EU Financial Treaty is passed there will be no attraction in Ireland for US corporations because the Corporation Tax Rate will be standardized across Europe. US companies will run away from Ireland when they have to pay their fair share of taxes in Ireland.

• Murph46 | May 01, 2012, 09:51 AM EDT

  Nice one tomgallagher! That should stir the pot! Ha!

• tomgallagher | May 01, 2012, 09:25 AM EDT

  You mean y'all need help from us "plastic paddy's".?

• Murph46 | May 01, 2012, 09:24 AM EDT

  Unless he was directly involved in the Celtic Tiger collapse,this is exactly what he should be doing ,seeking aid and support.I applaud his efforts.His first job is to show Bloomberg that all Irish aren't drunks as the Mayor of NY previously stated!

• STEVENSTAR | May 01, 2012, 09:23 AM EDT

  COME HOME HIGGINS YOU IDIOT AND STOP WASTING OUR TAX PAYERS MONEY ON YOUR NICE HOLIDAYS... WE'RE PART OF EUROPE NOT AMERICA...