Nobel poet Seamus Heaney says there will never be a united Ireland

I think we are putting too much emphasis on the this so called Northern Irish Identity. It is still Irish. I believe the people that use it (and I can say I neve hear it, and I am in fermangh every year) do so to differentiate themselves from those southern Irish in the 26 counties who abandoned them.

Can't see this going down to well in Swatragh or Slaughtmanus but it might work in Dalkey or the greystone Home for Disconnected Scribes and Pharisees perhaps . and even if nobody nowadays gives a monkies about Heaney these days the colour of his coat is still green n'est-ce pas?

Mousemess - take it easy with the multiple posts!

@warrenpoint00 - first off, I never said at any stage that I did not believe that you were not from Warrenpoint. However, given the inherent vagueness in the political currency of some of your views and statements on current political issues here, I believe I have good cause to wonder whether or not you were or are actually viewing them here or from afar. At the end of the day, I have no way of being fully certain that you are resident here as you say, or you have no way of fully proving on this site that you are. Your opinion on Seamus Heaney's view is hardly surprising given the political credo and philosophy you espouse. I can reasonably assume that had Heaney expressed the contrary view that Loyalist protestors should be beaten of the streets, that yourself and others would have led the clarion call of "Well Said Seamus" I say this with respect of course, as a view contrary to your own. I say this as life-long student of history of this place and an observer of daily life. I for one share Heaney's wish that "hope and history" can rhyme in this land that we all love, but I differ significantly in my views on how this will be achieved. I am certain that it will NOT be by an increasing Nationalist Majority in NI. I am certain that it will not be by the coercion of Unionism. If not this way then, how? By consensus and by mutual respect gained over several life times (beyond yours and mine) Last words to Mr Yeats "For I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow"!!

This is just a Heaney metaphor. There will never be: is not the same as There never will be:

I am for a United Ireland & I believe it will happen one day but attitudes have to change

BarneyJoe for the last time,I am from Warrenpoint ,Co Down.I disagree with you on the views Seamus Heaney articulates, most Irish nationalists will disagree with him as well of course.At this particular time it is quite reckless for Mr Heaney to be patronizing loyalist thugs with their terrorist attacks, involving the removal of a british flag from Belfast city hall.Just to remind you and Mr Heaney the removal of this flag was a democratic decision by elected representatives of the people .As for Mr Heaney being a credible force within the republican/nationalist community,I totally disagree with you on that as well.Anyone who makes a pathetic statement to the effect that our nation will" Never" be reunited , never could or never will have much credibility among the nationalist population of Ireland.I am sure Mr Heaney and his shi..e poetry will contribute little to the reunification of Ireland, as a poster on on this site commented "who really cares what Seamus Heaney thinks". I agree.

Okay now guys don't take offense about the comments. I love Ireland as much as you do.

Adams and Mc Guinness have said a lot worse than Heany, no one threatening them, can`t see Seamus loosing any sleep.

Searlit, The Irish language "Tuaisceart na hEireann" for the region (meaning the North of Ireland), has a nice enough ring to its sound and best of all is in the native Irish language.

Searlit, The Irish language "Tuaisceart na hEireann" for the region (meaning the North of Ireland), has a nice enough ring to its sound and best of all is in the native Irish language.

Searlit, The Irish language "Tuaisceart na hEireann" for the region (meaning the North of Ireland), has a nice enough ring to its sound and best of all is in the native Irish language.

Searlit, The Irish language "Tuaisceart na hEireann" for the region (meaning the North of Ireland), has a nice enough ring to its sound and best of all is in the native Irish language.

Searlit, The Irish language "Tuaisceart na hEireann" for the region (meaning the North of Ireland), has a nice enough ring to its sound and best of all is in the native Irish language.

Searlit, The Irish language "Tuaisceart na hEireann" for the region (meaning the North of Ireland), has a nice enough ring to its sound and best of all is in the native Irish language.