Niall O'Dowd: Ten top Irish and Irish American stories of the decade

Oh my god, please as a conservative you should realise the failure that was Reagan. All he stood for he failed at, government grew and interfered more in the lives of Americans, for better or worse, it beggars belief that conservatives hold him up, he was howver a great PR man and managed to create a glorious image of himself which is not backed up by any facts or occurances whatsoever.

" ... 10. What didn't happen? No Irish politician served a significant jail term for corruption, no bankers were put on trial for raping and pillaging the banking system, no construction magnates were jailed for corrupting the planning and political process with bribes. " ... This should be much closer to the top of the list. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I'm somewhat shocked and a little amused that Irish Central lends such credence and credibility to a "change of the guard" here in the States. Our government is not "all things international" or even anything locally unusual. Our politicians are about as far from interesting and even entertaining, generally drunks and malcontents who can't find work in the real world. One needs a stiff Irish Coffee before even discussing these elitists and fools. As our most loved politico of Irish decent said: " ... government is not the solution, government is the problem!" - President Ronald Reagan - Inauguration Address in 1981 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPt7xGx4Xo ) ... Suggestion: eliminate #5, #6 and #7, and add something of importance.

I'm somewhat shocked and a little amused that Irish Central lends such credence and credibility to a "change of the guard" here in the States. Our government is not "all things international" or even anything locally unusual. Our politicians are about as far from interesting and even entertaining, generally drunks and malcontents who can't find work in the real world. One needs a stiff Irish Coffee before even discussing these elitists and fools. As our most loved politico of Irish decent said: " ... government is not the solution, government is the problem!" - President Ronald Reagan - Inauguration Address in 1981 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPt7xGx4Xo ) ... Suggestion: eliminate #5 and #6 and #7 and add something of importance.

jacersisityourself it is also 'their' Ireland.

BTW - I liked Niall's article even though it brings up so much of sad memories. I was one former GAA player who was delighted to see Croker open up to Rugby. Was disappointed though that Niall didn't list the Special Olympics held in Ireland this decade - that was one greatly successful event for the whole of Ireland!

Whether the song ‘Ireland’s Call’ was sung by the ministers all together is immaterial. The song is a failed attempt to replace the National Anthem of the Republic of Ireland with this song, commissioned by the IRFU of the renowned Derry composer Phil Coulter to limit the feelings of protestant rugby players from the North having to listen to our National Anthem sung in Irish. It was jointly presented to the people of Ireland south and north through RTE’s ‘Late Late Show’ and UTV’s ‘Kelly Show’ respectively, a ‘first’ joint link-up in live Irish television shows. The follow-up discussion on the Late Late was all about replacing our National Anthem with this song, and a very lively discussion it was too. We now have a ridiculous situation where the ‘Soldier’s Song’ and ‘Ireland’s Call’ are both sung at the start of Rugby matches and some other international sports games e.g. hockey. For what it’s worth, I think it’s a great rousing song but it’s just not an Anthem for ‘our’ Ireland.

Niall. What about St. Patricks Day 09 in the white house? both Catholic and Protestant ministers sang "Irelands Call" together. McGuiness, Robinson, Adams and others from both sides of Belfast. I might be wrong about this but i was reading some where that they both were singing. I'm not saying singing is a monumental life changing experience but the words in the song... it might not be that big a deal to some but it was to me. that is if my info is correct.