56 Comments

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 10, 2012, 10:31 AM EST

  Seano - still waiting...........

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 08, 2012, 07:15 PM EST

  Seano - When you falsely accuse a person, or group, you should know that an apology is in order...over to you, in small print!!

• seanomelbourne | Jan 08, 2012, 05:54 PM EST

  Stop shouting Dan lynch I can read small print,you are an angry man.When you apologise for some of your anti Irish drivvel I'll consider it. Go quietly you big girl.

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 07, 2012, 06:56 PM EST

  Seano - No soldier murdered him, much to your twisted disappointment...next time check your facts before posting your anglophobic garbage...when your in a hole, best stop digging...an apology to the group you libelled is called for...BUT YOUR OBVIOUSLY NOT MAN ENOUGH TO ADMIT YOU GOT IT COMPLETELY WRONG...AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

• seanomelbourne | Jan 06, 2012, 05:36 PM EST

  Evidently he was murdered by british proxy by pro British terrorist.

• DrTrelawney | Jan 05, 2012, 08:34 AM EST

  Can I just belatedly reiterate Citizen's correction. Rory McIlroy's Uncle was NOT killed on Bloody Sunday. He was NOT killed by British soldiers. He was, it seems, murdered by loyalist paramilitaries 10 months after Bloody Sunday. The people who keep repeating this (easily disproved) nonsense are either dupes or liars.

• ciaradexy | Jan 04, 2012, 07:25 PM EST

  Ancavker-If thats what the population up there want, then so be it. Theyll get EU funds like everyone else.

• FallsRNat | Jan 04, 2012, 05:47 PM EST

  all this talk of a UI is really academic, if the brits pulled out today, the Germans who already set SI budgets would be in charge of the 32 counties, why are CIRA/RIRA not bombing the Reichstag, i suppose that anything that isn't associated with britishness is deemed alright.

• ancavker | Jan 04, 2012, 03:26 PM EST

  ciara: The north as an independent state!!! that is too funny, they could not function or survive on their own. It is only the billions paid by British government every year that keeps the place afloat. I guess one could say pay back is a you know what. As far as the south, they are in no shape economically to absorb the north, and sadly most would not want it. So what do we have, two failed political entities.

• citizen69 | Jan 04, 2012, 11:40 AM EST

  @Seanmelbourne: How many times are you going to make the same comment about the murder of Rory's uncle? He was not murdered by a soldier or the "Queen's regime" as you keep claiming. It was a callous murder by a loyalist terrorist group, the UVF. A murder which the huge majority of Northern Irish people would completely condemn. Absolutely nothing to do with the queen or these civic awards.

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 04, 2012, 08:08 AM EST

  maireadinmelb - the real reason no soldiers can be named is that this murder was carried out by a loyalist gang, not as stated here!!!

• IrelandNorth | Jan 04, 2012, 06:34 AM EST

  Many southern Irish have accepted OBE's/MBE's despite needing Irish government approval to do so as Irish citizens (like Sir Dr. Anthony A. J. F. O'Reilly, Irish Independent (British Codependent?)supremo). Honorary OBE's/MBE's are conferred on non-British nationals like southern Irish citizens and natives of outer Mongolians. Mind you, accepting an award of an empire that no longer exists is a tad Quixotic, like a Knighhood of Salamanca.

• maireadinmelb | Jan 04, 2012, 01:46 AM EST

  dont you know Dan that british soldiers are never identified other than by soldier A and soldier B!

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 03, 2012, 06:35 PM EST

  seanomelbourne - do you have the name the soldier?

• seanomelbourne | Jan 03, 2012, 05:23 PM EST

  McIllroy has made his choice one hopes he does not forget the murder of his uncle by the same regime or maybe the soldier who murdered him recieving is N.I. service medal from the same queen. Lest we forget.

• ciaradexy | Jan 03, 2012, 03:49 PM EST

  Well said Petedev.

• petedev | Jan 03, 2012, 03:38 PM EST

  Time for some new journalists for this site. Sean O Shea needs to come out of the self-created bigoted ghetto he inhabits. It has no relevance to the overwhelming majority of people in Ireland.

• barneyjo | Jan 03, 2012, 01:30 PM EST

  A correction to my earlier post re Bob Geldof and Daniel O'donnell. Daniel was actually presented with an honorary MBE as opposed to KBE; its still a British Civil Honour though. I wouldnt be at all surprised if there arent a few further Honorary Awards presented to Irish Subjects in the wake of the Queens visit to Ireland in 2011

• eannamc | Jan 03, 2012, 12:52 PM EST

  Bob Geldof has a KBE so I really don't *see what all this fuss is all about.

• eannamc | Jan 03, 2012, 12:47 PM EST

  Bob Geldof has a KBE so I really don't what all this fuss is all about.

• ballyhip | Jan 03, 2012, 12:35 PM EST

  Ciaradexy...I am not going there. I will let history decide...as we all will as this will not be decided any time soon. Just...no more blood over it. I am American and Irish because of it and I am old but I remember why we lost the farm after the Civil War caused by a divided Ireland. And...that is another subject that still bleeds. Enough.

• ciaradexy | Jan 03, 2012, 12:14 PM EST

  Ballyhip-Its up to the people in Northern Ireland if they want to remain as they are, become an independent state or unite with the rest of us. If they want a united Ireland then its up to those in the Republic to decide if thats what we want but recent polls have shown the majority in the North want to stay as they are.

• ballyhip | Jan 03, 2012, 12:09 PM EST

  I'm always amazed, and amused, by the number of responses that certain subjects arouse. Scratch a wound and it sometimes bleeds. This one hemmoraged. Golf? Only the scar that hid the wound. I am 1st generation American with strong Nationlist roots from both sides of the faith believe it or not. I lived and worked in Ireland. I crossed the border many times. I want a 32 county Ireland. I am sure that I am on someones list in London or Washington. Yet, I, we can't solve it through tabloid dialogue. It will happen sometime and we may not recognize it but it is up to all the people of Ireland...such a unique place when one considers all the nations of the earth.

• ciaradexy | Jan 03, 2012, 11:27 AM EST

  Well said TriciaG28 and Ballyhip. We have men on the Irish rugby team who consider themselves both Northern Irish and British so why shouldnt Rory?

• ondball66 | Jan 03, 2012, 11:14 AM EST

  SO'S you're just a WUM and a poor one at that

• ballyhip | Jan 03, 2012, 11:04 AM EST

  Agree with TriciaG28 and everyone else who correctly identified this as bigoted crap and with little knowledge of Irish golf. As a former member of the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) at Carrick on Shannon, I know that it does not represent NI or the Republic. It is an all Ireland golfing union. As for Darren Clarke, he tells the story of his mother telling him to a question he asked about his nationality, she simply said, "Darren, your Irish". Sean O'Se, next time they have a close up of Darren marking his ball, note how he marks it for identification. It's a shamrock, you dunce.

• TriciaG28 | Jan 03, 2012, 10:19 AM EST

  This is an appallingly badly written piece of bigoted crap. The sweeping generalisation that "Irish Catholics" will be in some way offended by McIlroys acceptance of a MBE is complete and utter nonsense. This attempt to create a scandal where none exists is pathetic. You also seem to be of the opinion that to be a Nationalist you need to be a Catholic. I think you're living in the wrong century. I would consider myself a Nationalist but I sure as hell am no Catholic. Yes, this article made me angry, but not towards Rory McIlroy. Instead it made me very angry towards the author who appears to be more a propagandist then a journalist.

• BrendanDunphy | Jan 03, 2012, 10:06 AM EST

  I wonder what Rory's uncle would think of this. The uncle that was killed on Bloody Sunday ...

• ciaradexy | Jan 03, 2012, 08:19 AM EST

  Borefield, an article was posted on here last week that showed a majority in NI wanted to stay as part of the UK. If thats what they want then thats how it should be.

• barneyjo | Jan 03, 2012, 06:21 AM EST

  Very poor and ill- informed piece and about 30yrs out of date. If that is the case, what are we to make of Robert (Bob) Geldof and Daniel O'Donnell, both KBE's (Knights of the British Empire) In both cases, as they were born in ROI these Knighthoods are Honorary, but were both accepted. Geldof, as we know is resident in the UK, but Daniel O'Donnell still lives in Donegal and I dont see is popularity having suffered because of his acceptance of an Honorary Title from the Queen!! There are hundreds of Northern Nationalists, who have already accepted civil awards without any dissolution of their political views and aspirations and there are hundereds (thousands) more who will equally do so in the future, in recognition of their service to their community or a particular sphere of life; and rightly so!!

• borefield | Jan 03, 2012, 06:12 AM EST

  There is still lingering resentment and hate on both sides. Perhaps with the Quenn's visit to the South last year, the efforts of those who really want peace, England wii give the six counties back to the Irish. It does seem ridiculous that England would continue to claim 6 counties in the northern part of Ireland, combined they amount to about the size of Pennsylvania. Old grudges die hard, let's all hope through the youth of Ireland it can be resolved.

• maireadinmelb | Jan 03, 2012, 03:12 AM EST

  Get it right, it is not irish catholics that will have a problem it is republicans that will have a problem!

• ciaradexy | Jan 02, 2012, 08:16 PM EST

  An extract from an article in an Irish newspaper-- Golf is an all-island sport and McDowell, like his fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy, was proud to wear the green shirt of Ireland as an amateur; the pair played together under the Irish flag at last November’s World Cup in China. McIlroy has already made plain his natural inkling, as a passport holder and resident of the United Kingdom, to represent the UK at the Olympics. Yet McDowell’s view is different. When it comes to the Olympics, he said: “I’m not bothered who I play for. I’ll be honoured to represent Britain or Ireland or both. I’m proud to play golf for Europe. “Yes, I sit on the fence but why not? There’s no right or wrong answer. I’m always going to upset someone, so why not sit on the fence?” McIlroy and McDowell both must be applauded for their honesty in dealing with an issue which, in professional golf, has been complicated beyond belief by a well-meaning decision of the European Tour.

• ciaradexy | Jan 02, 2012, 08:09 PM EST

  Donegalcali??

• seanomelbourne | Jan 02, 2012, 08:09 PM EST

  "move on" the simple phrase of a tragic.I simply made an observation not a statement for or against his acceptance of the "medal".Get it right Ciara.

• ciaradexy | Jan 02, 2012, 08:08 PM EST

  But youre not from Northern Ireland are you???

• donegalcali | Jan 02, 2012, 07:57 PM EST

  He can do whatever he likes. Personally i would not take the medal and politely decline in the most graceful manner possible.

• ciaradexy | Jan 02, 2012, 05:11 PM EST

  I wonder if Rory is stuck firmly in the past and is filled with venom and now hates the son for the sins of the father. Move on Sean, obviously Rory has.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 02, 2012, 05:08 PM EST

  I wonder if McIllroy remembered his uncle who was murdered by the regime that gave him the blood soaked medal.

• ciaradexy | Jan 02, 2012, 04:57 PM EST

  Who writes this crap? McIlroy is the best golfer and is from Northern Ireland which is part of the UK so why wouldnt or shouldnt he accept this honour? Theres nothing like this article in any Irish papers so why does the IC feel the need to write should inflammatory rubbish? Well said JimCork and well done Rory.

• tommytylung | Jan 02, 2012, 03:14 PM EST

  who ever you are donaldo you really need to grow up.If you keep looking back,you or people who think like you have a sad future in prospect.

• EileenL | Jan 02, 2012, 03:02 PM EST

  Darren and Rory Congratulations , you both earned the Worlds respect with your great Golf prowess, enjoy your Awards ,you both gave a lot to the Golf game , enjoyed watching good golf being played ,,gave a lot of kids new hope,,,

• willieric | Jan 02, 2012, 02:56 PM EST

  What of Martin O'Neill OBE?????.....Martin, Rory, Graeme, Darren....all these guys...front extended multi-racial multi-religious sports groups. They and their families have long-since shaken the medieval dust from their golf shoes, and moved into the 21st century. I have been privileged this year to watch them represent Ireland with dignity and genius. Just watch the official US open tapes. Hopefully there is more to come in 2012 and beyond.

• JimCork | Jan 02, 2012, 02:04 PM EST

  Utter bigoted rubbish from your writer, he received an MBE not an OBE. Sadly it's the usual misinformed Irish-American twisted views of Ireland.We've moved on...move on with us and get your facts right..he got an award, richly deserved, from playing golf well.There wasn't an ounce of your bigoted opinions felt here in the UK and not that I know of from viewing Irish papers on line.Take your sad, little nationalisistic views and heap them on top of all the begrudgers, and join them.

• jerrydonovan | Jan 02, 2012, 01:14 PM EST

  Rory was given the award NOT because he was from the noeth,NOT because he ia a catholic ,but simply because he ia a damn good golfer.He deserves it ,he earned it end of game.By the way Iam from Belfast originally.Iam A PRACTICING CATHOLIC and Iwould consider myslf to have a strong republican outlook.

• SeamusMartin | Jan 02, 2012, 12:42 PM EST

  Congratulations to Rory. The tit-for-tat/Hatfield-MCoy/Troubles BS should must be ended!

• MegK311 | Jan 02, 2012, 12:26 PM EST

  Congratulations Rory and Darren you make me proud to be from N. Ireland.

• madpadd | Jan 02, 2012, 12:08 PM EST

  My apologies to Paradigm. Being a southerner, I dislike being referred to as an arse licker. Sorry about that but I didn't honestly expect it to be published.

• citizen69 | Jan 02, 2012, 11:53 AM EST

  No it WONT raise eyebrows amongst anyone except those with a Republican ideology, and so what? Is the lad not entitled to his own political opinions regardless of his religion? This website is obsessed with peoples religion and is continually bringing politics into sport. I don't ever see you "raise an eyebrow" when Darren Clarke, a protestant from Northern Ireland, plays under the Republic's flag. No, with typical bigotry you expect all good little Catholics to be Nationalists. And considering that most Catholics in NI want to remain as part of the UK I do not necessarily agree with your comments that most catholics would not accept an award from the Queen. You do not know this. The problem here seems to lie with the fact that some people can't accept that someone can be Irish & proud without any allegiance to the Republic, the Tricolour or the men of 1916. Yes, one can be Northern Irish AND be as Irish as any other man on the island. Being Irish is not all about politics, there are many shades of Irishness. There's no question that Rory is proud to be Northern Irish. That should be respected.

• Paradigm | Jan 02, 2012, 11:36 AM EST

  Irish Central - I'm no prude but for sheer vulgarity the likes of "madpadd" takes top prize. Pity you don't think enough of your column to, at least, have a degree of effective vetting. Maybe it's time you defined "abuse"!!!

• Paradigm | Jan 02, 2012, 10:42 AM EST

  This article demonstrates why Irish-American bigots have over the last 40 years brought the US into disrepute. If such logic, as I expect it has been, is applied to the Middle East and generally world-wide, then it's little wonder the world's in a mess. Hilary Rodham please note!

• cillowen | Jan 02, 2012, 10:42 AM EST

  not the only irish arse licker types - the south is full of them.

• donalo2001 | Jan 02, 2012, 10:31 AM EST

  Dead right too, Mr O'Shea Acceptance of an OBE is acceptance of the British empire, its history and all its bloody baggage. Its sobering to think that for all the conciliatory miao..owings from the palace in London (oncluding the cupla focal from the big Q herself ....WOW!) the British are still clinging onto the remote territories of its former empire including Las Malvinas and Gibraltar with sheer arrogance and defiance of all normal standards of respect for foreign states rights.

• johhnyb | Jan 02, 2012, 09:48 AM EST

  Slightly wrong Irish Central. It will only raise eyebrows with you and any others too bigoted to accept that this is a major honour. You really need to get over it. Best wishes

• bradybradyisaid | Jan 02, 2012, 09:40 AM EST

  This award is given to the common people who accomplish ordinary and extraordinary feats. Rory belongs with Sesenne and Seamus McSporian. We Irish remember the past. But we can not continue to live in it. Congratulations, Rory. The days of "Up the Rebels" were important, but they are GONE!

• GeorgeDillon | Jan 02, 2012, 08:56 AM EST

  Sectarian nonsense from IC columnist O'Shea. Why wouldn't McIlroy accept that award?