136 Comments

• McNamara31 | Sep 24, 2011, 07:50 PM EDT

  Sorry, But who cares?

• CitizenWhy | May 10, 2011, 08:48 PM EDT

  Yes, the plantations started under Mary Tudor, a Catholic. William of Orange, from the Lowlands where religious tolerance was practiced, was willing to grant rights to Irish Catholics but the ultra-Protestant, magnate-dominated Irish Parliament refused to endorse his treaty. made with the Catholic Sarsfiled at Limerick. The Catholic James Stewart fought for the absolute right of monarchy, which Parliament naturally opposed, so they chose a Protestant Stadtholder used to ruling in a more republican system. The monarchical succession in the late 1600s was a complex issue but English rule in Ireland was a disgrace in the 1700s and early 1800s, as it was in England itself, where absolute property rights trampled on the humanity of the people.

• CitizenWhy | May 10, 2011, 08:35 PM EDT

  Oy, I thought William Windsor was going to be blamed the Duke of Ballykissangel. Got that wrong.

• Kevin714 | May 05, 2011, 10:53 PM EDT

  714 Bastille day, very insightful casual, has nothing to do with why I picked that number though but interesting.

• casualMBA | May 05, 2011, 07:33 PM EDT

  So long, Bastille Kevin

• Kevin714 | May 05, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT

  Your right Han**** whatever, its all water under the bridge and this thread has grown boring so take care all.

• hancock | May 05, 2011, 12:21 AM EDT

  What ever gets through the night.

• Kevin714 | May 04, 2011, 07:52 PM EDT

  Kilsally; Ever here of the Gaelic Re-Surgence 1250 to 1550AD? Look it up you may learn something if you can keep an open mind. You see, the Native Gaels took back most of their land and the Normans had to become more Irish than the Irish to survive. Ireland absorbed and transformed every wave of invader except yours so far, but maybe with some more time you too will become more irish than the irish. Just saying:) Didn't a recent genetic study prove the brits are all basically celtic anyway:) And its a shame it's still about religion since Robert Emmett and Wolf Tone were both protestants. Even in the south there were members of prominent families who converted in order to keep there lands and titles. If you know irish history than you would know that one of the weaknesses of the irish is they had no concept of nationalism until very late in the game it was more about family and sept over a concept of nationhood. If they had united under Brian or any of the O'Neills(or even the Anglo/Irish Earl of Kildare) the world would definitely be a different place. Just saying:)

• DanOLoingsigh | May 04, 2011, 03:27 PM EDT

  As a constituent part of a country of 60M people, with a permanent seat at the UN, etc. etc. it obviously doesn’t fit, but serves to demean it inhabitants.

• hancock | May 04, 2011, 02:34 PM EDT

  If the statelet fits.

• DanOLoingsigh | May 04, 2011, 02:19 PM EDT

  ancavker – the avowed aim of many Nationalists on independence was to ‘de-Brit’ the country, and to have a pastoral, Gaelic speaking, Catholic country… the Unionists did not think their way of life, beliefs and loyalties could be accommodated in the New Ireland they saw unfolding before them......yes, they could have taken a chance on things working out… gamble on letting go of a degree of certainty…leaving the imperial power that purchased their ships and other factory output…who could have sold this option to the workers of Belfast in 1921? The ‘realpolitik’ of the time needs to be taken into account...btw using terms like ‘Statelet’ doesn’t help to show ‘Parity of Esteem’.

• ancavker | May 04, 2011, 12:09 PM EDT

  Yes, but none of those countries you mention, got to carve out their own little statelet once they became independent. You know Ulster could have said maybe before it said no to the idea of independence.

• Kilsally | May 04, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT

  Was the plantation of Ulster ok? Was the plantation of America, or Australia or New Zealand or South Africa or Rhodesia / Zimbabwe? Not an easy question as the world might be a very different place if those things hadnt happened and perhaps I would be in Scotland now rather than in Northern Ireland if some of my ancestors hadn`t moved to Ulster during the plantation (other `native` Irish ancestors seem to have converted from Catholicism to Church of Ireland)?

• ancavker | May 04, 2011, 09:39 AM EDT

  kilsally What is your pint, that the plantation of Ulster was OK? Ireland was never a strong unified country , as such it cannot be one now? The lowland Scots that were planted in Ulster were far different from the Irish tribes that settled in the highlands and islands of Scotland, and gave it it's name and the Gaelic language.

• ancavker | May 04, 2011, 09:36 AM EDT

  Kilsally Ireland had more than one high King over the years. Of course it was symbolic, but still recognized by all the other Chieftains, that Ireland was one unit. It is a little hard to unite when you are constantly being invaded, and of course the Irish love to fight with each other, which of did not help.

• ancavker | May 04, 2011, 09:32 AM EDT

  At the end of the day, who cares about these royals, and there silly titles. And furthermore, it is not an Irish title, it is a British one.

• kerryboy | May 03, 2011, 08:58 PM EDT

  Can't we all get along after all these years? Its the 21st century, why evoke all thes old tired historical insults & battles.

• SeamusRua | May 03, 2011, 06:43 PM EDT

  I found out recently that the brits still maintain the title of baronet of New York. That was William Johnson's title before the war. Funny people those anglo-whatists.

• Kilsally | May 03, 2011, 01:11 PM EDT

  patriot says "There is only the OCCUPIED region of Ireland and the british and their scottish plantationers" hmm seeing as Scotland takes it name from the Scotti tribe from Ireland, seeing as the Kingdom of Dalriada encompassed parts of Ulster and Scotland and seeing as Ireland was only ever United under one High King and the `English` ..not quite sure what your point is as Ireland was many Kingdoms....

• Kilsally | May 03, 2011, 01:08 PM EDT

  Kevin714 - The largely English settlers started well before that - the so called Anglo-Irish encompassed the whole island. The plantation of Ulster didn`t really start until 1611 but the Ayrshire Scots Hamilton & montgomery piloted in a couple of Ulster counties in 1606 - it was the successful Ulster plantation that inspired the US plantations starting with Virginia / Jamestown.

• casualMBA | May 03, 2011, 01:07 PM EDT

  sure, ancavker

• ancavker | May 03, 2011, 09:47 AM EDT

  Kevin: The Elizabethan plantations were for the most part a failure, and were not conducted on the same scale as in Ulster.

• DanOLoingsigh | May 03, 2011, 07:54 AM EDT

  What’s your point Jeffery? You didn’t like the wedding? Nobody made you watch it…I had better things to do, but then it wasn’t my business to say how some royals plan a wedding…I know nothing about the bride, and care less…

• jefferysmcgraw | May 03, 2011, 06:39 AM EDT

  Somebody needs to put the British royals in their place. For as much respect as I had for Diana for speaking out and being her own person, her new "replacement" is just the opposite - willing to do everything they want her to do to fit in. Whatever. Diana's wedding was spectacular, but this latest one was boring as hell. It all has to do with the players involved.

• Kevin714 | May 02, 2011, 11:33 PM EDT

  Aughavey, The plantations started in 1565 in Offaly under Queen Mary. Its easy to verify do a web search and you will see.

• Kevin714 | May 02, 2011, 11:29 PM EDT

  Aughavey, I must correct you the plantations started in 1565, remember I am a student of history and it is all documented as plain as day. Read for yourself; http://www.libraryireland.com/HullHistory/Plantations1.php

• DanOLoingsigh | May 02, 2011, 06:28 PM EDT

  Patriot – True to form as usual… in a previous post you stated ‘bloody queen is a legitimate military target’, so it seems you couldn’t wait to add another member of her family to your list of ‘legitimate military targets’, could you? – Who the hell gave you a licence to ‘target’ a Head of state of a neighbouring country…although I don’t think they’ll lose any sleep over it - as all armchair republicans, you won’t have the balls to put your money where you big, fat stupid Irish-American mouth is!! There’s a peace process over here, morons like you may not like that…tough!!

• casualMBA | May 02, 2011, 05:51 PM EDT

  Reference plantations and the “Duke of Pluto,” I am no orator on behalf of unquestioned privilege, yet there are meaningful distinctions in society, and not all determined by the amount of euros one might control. Is it just, for instance? When things are stacked up, to include titles, does the next Dr. Salk, the next Einstein, the next Bono, the next Bill Gates, merit some extra courtesy? A smooth transit to the next meeting?

• Towngate | May 02, 2011, 05:35 PM EDT

  vsaccsys - notwithstanding Aughavey's excellent points, what you say is true also. Of course there was gerrymandering of the Border by the Boundary Commission to tilt the balance. It was not a Democratic exercise, but a Political one. Britain didn't want to fight either parties in the dispute but the terms of the Treaty meant they couldn't make a clean break, thanks to the Carson threat amonghst other considerations. With equal voting rights and the increasing Nationalist population, in theory the situation will normalise in the fullness of time. It began as all Ulster - then the Six Counties - what next? - Three? - Two? - One? - just Carrickfergus? .......I don't think so! When the tipping point comes, I bet some bright spark will come up with a justification for maintaining the 'status quo'.

• patriot | May 02, 2011, 05:16 PM EDT

  Aughavey: There is no such thing as "a smaller region of Ireland". There is only the OCCUPIED region of Ireland and the british and their scottish plantationers are not wanted in any part of it. So head on home and peace will reign on the emerald isle.

• casualMBA | May 02, 2011, 05:09 PM EDT

  Pity, really. An almost fairy tale celebration of royal romance and the institution of marriage soured by the opportunistic announcement reminding the world’s media, and the Irish people, not only of Ireland’s troubled past, but the reigning royals’ perspective of Ireland’s future. If the British royals wish to highlight Carrickfergus more than, say, Dunkirk, to their American and global media outlets, they might have at least noted that one third of Ireland’s children are now being born outside marriage Perhaps the power of a love based marriage commitment could have been highlighted to the benefit of Ireland’s future family structure. A family structure, presently, with trends likely to improve religious differences (and divorce rates,) though it may harm many a child’s ego in the process.

• patriot | May 02, 2011, 04:26 PM EDT

  This new "Baron of Carrickfergus" is now a legitimate military target and has a target on his back. The queen has sent her message now it is time for the Irish to reply. The arrogance of Mountbatten comes to mind. And as any American mobster can tell you: any man can be got to.

• Aughavey | May 02, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT

  vsaccsys - if that is the case then why does Sinn Fein support Basque separatism where a minority of basques wish to separate from parts of Spain and France? Your logic doesnt stack up - the border was drawn because Edward Carson had 100,000 Ulster Volunteers ready to fight either England or the South of Ireland. Surely you would say that the island of Ireland when it was part ofl the UK, like Scotland and Waes have the right to self determination - you cannot logically therefore deny the right of self determination to a yet smaller region of Ireland is they so wish it.

• vsaccsys | May 02, 2011, 03:18 PM EDT

  There were several mentions about " The majority of the populace of Northern Ireland continue to vote for Unionist parties to remian part of the UK". Well of course they would vote that way, that's because the sectarian border was determined by how to maintain that artificial majority. That's how to make a minority into a majority. Democracy British style. What a joke. No thinking person with integrity would take a poll in only six counties (and even two of the six counties were partitioned to get a fake majority) of northern Ireland seriously.

• Searlit | May 02, 2011, 12:35 PM EDT

  I somewhat agree with FallsRnat which somewhat surprises me. It does seem that declaring a Royal title, while titles are honorary in Ireland, would cause more division. The good will, of all the people of Ireland, is what will unify Ireland - not any declaration. If you want peace, act and communicate peacefully.

• edmundburke | May 02, 2011, 12:25 PM EDT

  Come on. Way too much energy is being expended on this subject. The title, like the monarchy itself, is essentially meaningless. They might as well confer on him the title of "Duke of Pluto" -- it will have just as much meaning and importance, namely, little or none.

• Liamkeyes | May 02, 2011, 11:03 AM EDT

  It does'nt matter to me, I'll still bang out "Carrigfergus' after a few pints, besides Kilkenny is mentioned in the song in a good vein due to the nice Marble found there. Fill 'em up again Lads!!!!!

• Aughavey | May 02, 2011, 06:17 AM EDT

  Kevin - The James Hamilton you mention and Hugh Montgomery, both Ayrshire Scots were responsible for the start of the plantations. There is an Ulster-Scots Agency website entitled hamilton and montgomery 1606 if you want to google it. They broke Con O Neil out of jail for something like two thirds of his land (i think, from memory). Deidre47 - it is not for the Monarchy or `England` to give Northern Ireland back. Under international law and the Good Friday Agreement it is for the people of Northern Ireland alone to decide in a referendum. The majority of the populace of Northern Ireland continue to vote for Unionist parties to remian part of the UK. Sinn Fein were offered a border poll in 1998 by then leader of the Ulster Unionist party, David Trimble and they rejected it (because they knew they would lose).

• FallsRNat | May 02, 2011, 06:15 AM EDT

  they say ignorance's is bliss & the messages on this board show more support for PIRA's & Baron Adams view on a UI more than the 1916 volunteers, of which my family are proud to have sacrificed so much. It's not about uniting the land, ITS ABOUT UNITING THE PEOPLE north & south in an IRISH FREE STATE, this means recognising & exalting the traditions of both peoples on this island both the irish & the british. Do unite the land only will expose the myth of irish unity once & for all, to celebrate the cause of both PIRA & the dissindents is to drive a wedge further in the hearts of the people of this island, you don't get peace & understanding by belittling other people's culture, after all, what does the tricolor represent. If youse are saying that the NI prods have no right to live in NI, then a UI is going to be an awfully crowded place when the US, Australia & everywhere else are handed back to their rightful heirs & paddy is sent back to the motherland.

• Towngate | May 02, 2011, 03:29 AM EDT

  littleandloved: Friday's Wedding surely displays that the Monarchy if fit and well and it's future is secure. Diana could not conform to what duties fell to her, began to make waves and tried to rock the boat. Apart from her affairs and her threat to become a Catholic by visiting the Pope and eventually presenting the prospect of marrying a Muslim - Dodi Fayed. Would they have been invited to the wedding? Would William's Muslim half-brother been Best Man or Pageboy? The tragic events in a Paris tunnel prevented anyone ever having to answer these questions.The Powerful Monarchy withstood her futile attacks and carries on stronger than ever. By retaining an interest in Ireland they are complying with the Democratically expressed wishes of the Majority in Northern Ireland.~ Btw;Deidre47 it is the British Monarchy whether you like it or not and it could be argued that having 90 years of Freedom to sort itself out, the country is reduced to existing only on a loan of 100 Billion Euro which it has lied about being able to ever pay back. If they "really wanted to do a good thing",they should give it back to the people who were asked to come in and sort the place out 800 years ago!

• Deidra47 | May 02, 2011, 01:52 AM EDT

  If the English monarchy...which in truth is of Germanic ancestery as littleandloved has pointed out...really wanted to do a good thing, they could give northern Ireland back.

• littleandloved | May 01, 2011, 09:19 PM EDT

  First of all, I differentiate between a true monarch and a British Monarch ) The British version is really German and not of the original country. Nor am I the new branch of the IRA, but I have to say that the monarchy is in the toilet as far as ordinary people are concerned. I think it finished with the treatment of Diana, and since then, people have heavely disliked the 'Royal' family

• seanomelbourne | May 01, 2011, 07:52 PM EDT

  daveangel you may not perceive what is stated as "not a problem" Your acceptance of all things royal leaves me to wonder who really has the inferior complex.Bow one more time to your majesty dave and be careful not to dirty your nose in the mud when supplicate yourself.

• Kevin714 | May 01, 2011, 07:44 PM EDT

  @Citizen69; Nice try citizen now I see what you were getting at, however you put your revisionist spin on it and forgot to mention some key points. Con was imprisoned for waging war against the queen as you can see below so his deal was made under duress wouldn't you say. How can any deal be legit if one of the parties is facing execution?? ALSO AN EVEN BIGGER TRUTH IS THE REASON THE LAND WAS EMPTY IS BECAUSE THE ENGLISH HAD JUST BUTCHERED THE NATIVE POPULATION AFTER AND DURING THE 9 YEARS WAR!! And for the record I am just a student of history setting the record straight. I renounce all present day violence over this and support the current peace process and am happy to see the progress made. 1601 / 1602 Con O’Neill is arrested for “levying war against the Queen” Sir Brian’s lands eventually passed to his grandson Con O’Neill around 1586, who lived in the Anglo-Norman “Castle Reagh” or “Castle Clannaboy” overlooking the village of Belfast. His troops were caught in a skirmish with the Queen’s troops, at least one of whom was killed. Con was arrested and imprisoned in Carrickfergus Castle, destined for execution. In fact, Sir Arthur Chichester made an offer to the Queen to hang Con without a trial - perhaps so he could claim Con’s lands for himself? 1603 24th March The Death of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England The Queen whom Con was charged with “levying war” against was now dead, and Chichester’s opportunity was gone. Queen Elizabeth had no children, and so the throne passed to her next of kin, King James VI of Scotland. Official news of her death was brought to the King by James Hamilton, who was involved in negotiations for the King’s accession to the throne of England.

• hostetter2862 | May 01, 2011, 07:19 PM EDT

  The Irish will 'get over themselves' when you leave Ireland and live within your own culture. Exhibiting a claim of ownership is highly offensive to a sovereign country. I can only imagine what Americans would have said if the couple chose to wear American symbols on their clothes. Our worship of celebrity does have limitations. Perhaps we would remember the money that Britain owes the USA.

• daveangel | May 01, 2011, 06:55 PM EDT

  I am not a monarchist or a republican and am in fact apolitical. People that do have a problem with the Queen's visit are demonstrating a profound inferiority complex. Same goes for Baron Carrickfergus objectors.

• daveangel | May 01, 2011, 06:52 PM EDT

  As somebody that actually lives in Ireland I find articles like this quite offensive. We have many problems in Ireland right now. We have a failed economy. We have no jobs. We are on the verge of debt default. Baron Carrickfergus is not a problem. People down below objecting to the Queens visit are demonstrating biggotry and myopia in the extreme. The fact of the matter is that Britain has given us a loan of £7 billion and the least we can do is entertain her head of state. If the GAA, our government and our President are welcoming the Queen then so should the Irish people. Any by the way seanomelbourne, we are.

• Kilsally | May 01, 2011, 06:51 PM EDT

  Either lazy or just downright ignorant article. Prince William was given titles for England, Scotland & Northern Ireland to go with the Welsh one he already has, which far from being hostile, was simply being symbolic of the constituent parts of the UK. The wedding was steeped in many such symbolic gestures. The Irish & Welch (Welsh) Guards used, the Irish Guards Uniform worn and various others. "It was also the landing point for King William of Orange when he arrived in Ireland to enforce Protestant domination." - Will have to pull you up on this too. William of Orange`s campaign as part of the League of Augsburg was supported by the Vatican. It was in opposition to King Loui of England who had raised an Army in Ireland to try and wrest back the throne of England. William of Orange`s campaign had nothing to do with enforcing Protestant domination.

• seanomelbourne | May 01, 2011, 06:28 PM EDT

  Another reason why her royal robber baroness should not be welcomed in Ireland.BTW jackeen and proud to be.

• RedBranch | May 01, 2011, 05:25 PM EDT

  For all your bluster Niall, we know you'll be over later in the month when the Queen visits, go on admit it.. You little dote of a Jackeen you

• pilib04 | May 01, 2011, 05:01 PM EDT

  Even after the Good Friday Agreement the Brits still think they can "own" or have "title" to any part of the island of Ireland. This dysfunctional German (Saxe Coburg Gotha) family just does NOT get it! Ireland is NOT theirs!!! And NEVER Carrickfergus!

• casualMBA | May 01, 2011, 04:05 PM EDT

  Sad Situation. Same can be said, friend, of sailors lost at sea, and buffalo vanished from the plains, or blighted potatoes as far as the eye can see, but societies are not built on natural disasters. They are built in spite of natural disasters. With people having regard for one another, and accepting certain rules as beneficial to the common good.

• blackbearpause | May 01, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT

  Why not let the people of NI decide whoses rule they want to under. Does England want to continue to support the people of NI? Can Ireland take on such as task? There is a lot of poverty and unemployment in NI.Enough with all the real IRA threats ect, it will be settled politically, and either way there will be unhappiness on both parts. It really is a sad situation.

• casualMBA | May 01, 2011, 03:16 PM EDT

  And what of legal precedents and ownership, IAPRINCESS? Why is it the last Earl of Desmond died on his own ground, and last Earl of Kildare die in the Tower of London? Because they wanted Ireland for the English?

• IAPRINCESS | May 01, 2011, 02:54 PM EDT

  So what, titles are of no importance to me.

• ranger1640 | May 01, 2011, 02:19 PM EDT

  To all you republican terrorist apologists who will go back to the time of the dinosaurs to try and justify 100's of years of terror against your Unionist country men, women and children. The Irish question was sorted at the Battle of the Boyne, in the name of all that is just. Get over yourselves and give peace a chance.

• IAPRINCESS | May 01, 2011, 02:09 PM EDT

  We are Christians FIRST!!! Put aside the hate and bigotry. Ireland will always be Irish no matter how you practice your FAITH.

• ladyBoru | May 01, 2011, 02:08 PM EDT

  I heard that William descends from Brian Boru. I am told I do too as an O'Brien. I hate reading about what happened to my Irish ancestors at the hands of the British but it is a new day and new time. I am an American and I just found out my family owned slaves---it makes me sick that I have that in my background. I was told that my ancestor was jailed for providing his slaves with an education. The fact he had slaves at all is upsetting to me. Many today would hate me because of my families past. We need to be more tolerant. I think Diana was the start of a more human and down to earth Royal family. I see that compassion in William and Harry. Congrats to William and Kate and the song Carrickfergus will be even more special to me! Not being a native born Irishman--I defer to the natives and respect all views--except hatred.

• IAPRINCESS | May 01, 2011, 02:06 PM EDT

  We hope that whatever title is given that Ireland still belongs to IRELAND.

• PhlutiePhan | May 01, 2011, 01:51 PM EDT

  I have read enough to know that the Brits have subtlely agreed to unite all of Ireland. The problem is with the provisonals. They are prodded by Iran and Russia to ensure that the Irish Republic would become a socialist entity in league with the "devil and the deep blue sea" to say nothing of Castro and Chavez.

• FallsRNat | May 01, 2011, 01:49 PM EDT

  sirpeter - here we go again on your one sided theories. Yes, the Royal Family are CoE & the queen is constitutional head of the church, I don't see any problem for a RC marrying into that if they allow children born into the family to be raised as CoE. Let's look at Irish 26 county history since 1921, those people choosing to mix marry - prod/catholic, must raise the kids as RC, er, where's the choice in that. Me & another fallster have done what Bono's dad did when when faced with this draconian act, I am married to a lovely RC girl, but we have chose to let the kids decide when they are 21 what religion they want to be raised in, me best mate Sean married a beautiful prod girl from the waterside & has chosen to raise his kids as CoI. peter - if you are going to point out one slight, at least be consistent & show the inadequacies of your own state's position.

• casualMBA | May 01, 2011, 01:48 PM EDT

  Might I lethargically point out to Citizen69 that the plantations of the 16th century, and later, in the CASE of Munster, were conducted on behalf of retaining control of the Irish people? Yes, control of the Irish people and their resources, to include, quite naturally, their land...As a Fitzg(G)erald, may I further point out, in the case of Munster, we were - is this whining? I think not. - disenfranchised for rebelling for independence and the preservation of the Catholic faith (such as it was then); ONLY to be further disenfranchised by Gaelic Ireland's Renaissance in Arms on O'Connell Street! Its subsequent amendments to title, and distracting tasks of a new nation, obviated any just compensation to former (Irish, though "Gall") land owners DISENFRANCHISED by the ENGLISH crown!

• cillowen | May 01, 2011, 01:43 PM EDT

  the b....... and adam's is ok with it.

• cillowen | May 01, 2011, 01:42 PM EDT

  the surprize being that they wonder why the brits keep unashamedly drawing from their heritage - they somehow know the thiefs these occupier planters be. Did you not notice the tunic new king-to-be willy was wearing bearing the shamrocked collar. He being an irish guard no less - sasanach scum have no shame. They'll cling to Norteastern Ireland in support of their stolen symbols .. the harp the shamrock on coins, buildings tapestries royal standards of Queenie, that appear across the breath of commonwealth countries - its really all about masking the comedy of a Saxonism that is strewn across the globe. UK countries have differing arrangements for the royals as do Australia, Canada, New Zealand - the US history is a borrowing of the made up stories of the Sasanach who overran Britain since England's 864 origin. Put that in yer pipe and smoke it - crappy boys.

• lostgold | May 01, 2011, 01:21 PM EDT

  Jessie ni Leascai I doubt very much if your a fluent Irish speaker or you wouldn't have made that stupid statement that the Turks were among Irelands invaders like the Vikings or Normans both two branches of the Nordic group. What the Turks did do during "an ocras mor" the great famine is that the Ottomans i.e. the Turks for those not so well versed in history were the first government in the world to send ships full of food to the starving Irish while European governments delayed or did nothing. Biting into the British myth that the Irish were subhumans. As for anti British feeling today ni Leascai they are the outsiders controlling the northern part of the island not the Scandinavias. Now here is a little bit of advanced Gaelic that a fluent Irish speaker like yourself should have no difficulty deciphering "pug ma hon" Source for Turkish aid to starving Ireland in the 1840"s is "A history of Ireland by Edmund Curtis

• borefield | May 01, 2011, 01:10 PM EDT

  I have no comment. You scrapped my last one. I guess you cannot take criticism.

• rugbyplayer | May 01, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT

  Those few complaining Irish who might not even know where Carrickfergus is located should get over it and grow up! Stop looking for trouble and offense when nothing offensive is intended. Instead of living in the past, those few dissident Irish who still are fighting the Battle of the Boyne ought to look more to the future well-being of Ireland.

• Nicomax | May 01, 2011, 12:44 PM EDT

  If England itself was so great why did they need to invade and absorb anything and everything in their path, but then go onto losing it all anyway, save for the pretense of royalty. Just declaring you own or control something based on your birthright does not pass muster these days, as we are learning in the Middle -East and Africa.

• citizen69 | May 01, 2011, 12:41 PM EDT

  @Kevin714: Sorry to disappoint you old boy but you need to brush up on your history. In 1602 Irish chieftain, Con O’Neill was imprisoned in Carrick castle. In 1604 his wife Ellis struck a deal with Scottish lowland protestant lord Hugh Montgomery that if he could bust her husband out of the castle gaol and win him a royal pardon then Con O'neill would gladly give Montgomery half his lands in Ulster. Montgomery with help from another Scottish laird, lowlander James Hamilton, successfully broke O'Neill from the castle in 1604 and spirited him away to Scotland where they were eventually able to earn him a pardon from the Scottish king James VI (James I of England). Large portions of O'Neill's lands in Counties Antrim & Down were gifted to Montgomery & Hamilton as promised. They in turn invited Scottish lowland presbyterian families to their new lands in ulster to build farms, settlements & towns. So as i said, those lands weren't stolen... A year or two after this the Irish gaelic lords of Ulster fled Ireland for Spain vacating their lands and thereby leaving them available to king James to settle with a plantation. These later plantations happened of course around the same time as that very same king ordered a plantation in Jamestown in America. Strangely, i don't hear many people complaining about THAT plantation on the stolen lands of the Native Americans!

• aidanwalsh | May 01, 2011, 12:38 PM EDT

  Jess,that's fine, we are all here to voice our own opinions...yes, i wanted to answer at the same time about the chip from potato head...yes, i do have a chip on my shoulder and that is because of my 'hot' irish blood...lol lol

• ranger1640 | May 01, 2011, 12:35 PM EDT

  If this article proves anything in a week that republicans were out beatifying those who committed terrorist acts from the 1880's, it proves that republicans are Embarrassed by Nothing Offended by Everything. Buff don't flatter your self dear chap, you have never shown nor proven to me or other Unionist this forum that anything than British Rule is the best rule for Ireland. After all, after 80 years of Irish only rule in the failed Irish republic they were totally incompetent of running their own economy and, they are now more in hock to the British tax payers and foreign tax payers than ever before. We the British Tax payer are fed up with bailing out the failed statelet that is the Irish republic. When are we ever going to be rid of the Irish claiming and leaching off the British Tax payer.

• seagreen | May 01, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT

  We could use some royal titles here in the US to elevate our social structure. I.E Baron of Bridgeport Prince of Paramus Princess of Parsippany Earl of Everett Vicount of Vacaville Duchess of Delray Baroness of Belchertown Duke of Daytona They would all probably wear their hats backwards

• JessNiLeacai | May 01, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT

  And its Ni Leacai..irish...

• JessNiLeacai | May 01, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT

  Aidan, I was being SARCASTIC

• aidanwalsh | May 01, 2011, 11:57 AM EDT

  Dan, i am irish it does not matter where one is born,it is based on your d.n.a. makeup from your parents...i am and always have been a proud irishman...no offense to you Dan...

• aidanwalsh | May 01, 2011, 11:52 AM EDT

  thanks JESS NiLeacai, appreciated...aidan

• Buffalobrave | May 01, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT

  As I've pointed out to ranger1640 and other British apologists, the British state were protagonists in the conflict, and not innocent onlookers. The British army were sent on to the street in1969 to prop up by force of arms the rapidly disintegrating Orange state. Many people outside of Ireland have the false perception that only the IRA were responsible for the troubles. Fortunately people now realize that the British and unionists where perpetrator and catalyst of the troubles/problem.

• JessNiLeacai | May 01, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT

  Oh God get over it. Move to America ffs if youre suffering from medical condition. And especially if you want to Brit bash on your 'irish' pedestal like the the editor of this crappy article. I am so sick of people who dont actually live on the island of Ireland talking out their arse like Niall et al . Its always the way though, people spout absolute shite from the comfort of their own home but come and live here and then you can talk. Til then, shut your fkn mouth

• aidanwalsh | May 01, 2011, 11:39 AM EDT

  this same british government spent over 5 million on phycological research on cfs/m.e. and does not spend money on research for the 'true' physiological cause and the way this government acts towards the over 150,000 people sick with this illness and leaving them to die is 'inhumane' and as i said before i am totally embarassed that i was born under such a group, meanwhile william supports some useless stress foundation for gulf war vets which is the exact same miiror illness of cfs/m.e.and by doing so he shows how the british government reactions are as a whole to this illness...their cbt/get studies done were a complete fraud and have no scientific merit whatsoever and actually now doctors and scientists in north america laugh now at the british because of these fraud study...how can anyone say you can exercise these patients when they have mitochondria damage...how many more people have to be stricken with this illness before something just is done...for any of you thinking about a vaccine for yourselves or your children 'think again'...what is the british government doing for all the toops who are now sick who fought for the world's freedom and came hope sick, well i will answer that 'a big fat zero'... stress my ass...for all the money spent on a big lavish wedding do you all not think it was more wise to fund 'serious' bio-medical research into cfs/m.e. i was also training to become a commercial corporate pilot and i got hit with this disease and never ever recovered and it trashed my complete life...yes everybody 'stress my ass' just another british cover-up and they are suppose to be royals for the people...'yeah right' sincerely and always the full truth aidan walsh southampton....

• JessNiLeacai | May 01, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT

  Aidan, I would love you to come to Ireland so someone can knock that chip off your shoulder.Oh and while youre at it, shout that Britain should get out of Ireland when youre walking down Donegall Road in Belfast. See what kind of lovely greeting you will get. And then spend some time in the A&E in one of the fabulous Irish hospitals,I prefer St James, such high class scobies -- thats Dublin slang for scumbags in there! Give yourself a good day to wait, perhaps even 48hrs if possible! Oh and enjoy the lack of employment while youre at it! Cead mile failte! btw.. better employment opportunities up North, but thats because the Brits occupy it... just saying...

• DanOLoingsigh | May 01, 2011, 11:27 AM EDT

  So Aidan…let’s get this straight…Your parents were Irish, bit you were born in England…so they emigrated, probably to find work…you have a British Passport, but you didn’t think you were British…now you’re emigrating to Ireland, where you will witness our ‘world class’ trolley-laden health system in its full majesty…and be considered a Brit by most locals…good luck with that.

• JessNiLeacai | May 01, 2011, 11:20 AM EDT

  Ok question, does ANYONE on this thread actually live in the North of Ireland? I think the answer would be NO but however, I do. I grew up a Prod with a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. I am now not practicing any faith and I have friends from both sides of the divide. Yes I am proud to be Irish and proud of my history, my language (I'm a fluent irish speaker),my culture but I will not be ignorant to others because of their religious background unless they are ignorant to me. I have no qualms saying that what the British govt did in the history of Ireland was wrong but things have changed and there are only a minority of people causing conflict now. They do not speak for me or anyone else, they speak for their small mindedness. If we want to be literal in the history of the world, I could blast America,Holland, Belgium, France, Australia for their inhumane actions and atrocities committed when they set up countries and in their histories. So we can not blacken only the Brits, we must look at history as a whole and see the entire scope. The Turks, the Vikings, the Normans, et al invaded Ireland and contested for land. Why is it we only remember the British Tyranny?

• aidanwalsh | May 01, 2011, 11:15 AM EDT

  they should get out of northern ireland, 'it is irish land'...my both parents were southern irish and it was unfortunate i was born just outside of london and left for montreal when i was 15 months old...i am embarrased to be born in such a cruel country and i never ever considered myself british whatsoever and i am now in the process of getting my irish passport and plan to burn my british passport...i hate everything about this country and they can have it...their medical system is 30 years behind the times and as far as research into chronic fatigue syndrome it is a massive complete cover-up and i strongly beleive that it is british and u.s.a. biological weapons infecting these people and as a result contaminated vaccines...i do not trust the british government at all and my d.n.a. is that i am irish and i am a very proud catholic and support 'my' irish people...the british occupation must end now...'ireland is ireland' it is not britain...i look forward to becoming a full time irish resident...sincerely aidan walsh southampton...

• donal1951 | May 01, 2011, 11:07 AM EDT

  I am not pleased, but when I hear of Carrickfergus, I shall still think of the grand song, not the lowest-level title for William Windsor. It appears the Queen, or whomever decides such things, gave him a title from each component of the so-called United Kingdom. To steal words from the English author Charles Dickens, "Bah! Humbug."

• DanOLoingsigh | May 01, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT

  Pity the poor, antidemocrat irredentists on this site: They’ve been so unwell over the last few days…when they’re not getting physically ill, they’re vomiting all over the place… and all over the shock/horror news that they probably won’t be invited to join the Windsor clan any time soon. They’ve been worrying themselves sick over the Vikings, the Normans, Cromwell, Lord Palmerston, not to mention the Scottish MacDonnells, all thankfully long dead. Pity they had so little to say about the recent murder of a young (Northern) Irish cop, and whether or not that murder made them feel ANYTHING?

• yakimak | May 01, 2011, 10:44 AM EDT

  I was a child in northern Ireland during the second world war. I remember both British and American troops practicing for the D- day invasion on my grandfathers land as well as numerous other farms in the area whether owned by Catholics or Protestants. In the event of another great world conqueror arising on the Eurasian continent his first job after occupying the continent will be to subject the island of Britain itself. Hitler failed to do this hence the allies were able do reinvade the continent. Northern Ireland is a key piece of real estate. If Britain should fall it is from Northern Ireland in particular that the Eurasian continent will be invaded Who controls northern Ireland is a very important question Nial much more important than whether or not Prince William wore an Irish guards regiment uniform at his wedding . However lets hope he meant it as a friendly gesture particularly towards the Catholic minority in Ulster.

• mcdolan | May 01, 2011, 10:35 AM EDT

  Duh...(1) The British monarch is the head of the Anglican Church, therefore it would be ridiculous to assume that a Catholic could be made monarch (2) Since the line of succession is by blood, the likelihood of a Roman Catholic succeeding is close to zip; (3) I stand to be corrected but as far as I am aware, a spouse is not eligible to become the monarch. Does it really matter at the end of the day? Would you expect the office of Pope to pass to a non-Catholic?

• borefield | May 01, 2011, 10:30 AM EDT

  Niall, get off your soapbox and stop stirring up trouble. You did it when you snitched on Bloomberg, you were the 1St. to report his gaff, then when you had everyone irate you defended him and berated everyone for holding him accountable for his comments. Are you still playing highschool games. Get a real life.

• Paradigm | May 01, 2011, 09:56 AM EDT

  What a petty dinosaur is Irishlassred - harking back with such hatred to times and circumstances she/he doesn't understand - pity some Red Indian dispossessed by her/him couldn't aim an arrow at her/his fat arse - might bring a touch of reality into a poor bitter wasted life,

• sirpeter | May 01, 2011, 09:21 AM EDT

  This Irish subtext to the royal wedding makes me want to vomit.This is a deliberate Royal effort to reach out to it's Irish and British Protestant minions.Only individuals who are Protestants may inherit the Crown.Roman Catholics and spouses of Roman Catholics are prohibited from succeeding.An individual thus disabled from inheriting the Crown is deemed "naturally dead" for succession purposes, and the disqualification does not extend to the individual's LEGITIMATE descendants. Partition will never end as long as this kind of thing is happening.This is not a good time to be doing these kind of things.It promotes division among the people of Ireland.How can some so called Irish people here expect Irish Catholics to respect this religious bigotry.The Royal machine has been set up to EXCLUDE Catholics. That is a very large majority on this island. Twist it whatever way people want. Royalty AND the Pope should stay the hell away from Ireland. Both cause nothing but trouble. Between the Irish Government and it's treason,the Catholic Church and it's foul cover up's and the Royal family sticking their nose in where it is not wanted.Mix it all up with unemployment and discontent and nothing to lose, and you have a recruiting station for the RIRA. This article is correct and it's how it will be interrupted by many.So thinking otherwise means you're just not listening.The RIRA don't listen either.

• ranger1640 | May 01, 2011, 08:39 AM EDT

  If this article proves anything in a week that republicans were out beatifying those who committed terrorist acts. it proves that republicans are Embarrassed by Nothing Offended by Everything.

• mcdolan | May 01, 2011, 04:11 AM EDT

  Disappointed in you again, Niall. It's an honorary title. We have several honorary and hereditary lords and ladies living here in Ireland who consider themselves Irish. You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Stop perpetuating this division between 'us' and 'them'.

• warrenpoint00 | Apr 30, 2011, 09:58 PM EDT

  Excellent points Kevin714 in response to citizen69... wherever he is a citizen off.. makes one or two wonder

• Kevin714 | Apr 30, 2011, 07:01 PM EDT

  Correction: it was Shane O'Neill not Con his father who was killed by the MacDonnells.

• Kevin714 | Apr 30, 2011, 06:52 PM EDT

  Oh and BTW that doesn't mean I hold anyone living today responsible for what their ancestors did. But we must never forget our history or we are doomed to repeat it. Just like today the german people are good but we must never forget what their county did during WWII.

• Kevin714 | Apr 30, 2011, 06:44 PM EDT

  @Citizen69: maybe you can fool people at your local pub with your revisionist history but it won't work here. It was the Scottish MacDonnells who murdered Conn O'Neill. But yes Irish Chieftains did grant lands to Gallowglass warrior clans but they spoke the same language and had the same culture and intermarried frequently and became irish overtime. The highland clans were cousins who were irish originally anyway, all GAELs my friend. As for the normans just because one local king invited the normans to help him get his throne back you honestly believe it gave England the right to rape, kill and plunder the whole island for 800 years??? A bit of a stretch which may work for you at the pub but not with anyone who is sober and educated. My family ruled its land for a thousand years and defended it against vikings,normans and english alike until it was finally STOLEN by Cromwell and planted. Thats a FACT of history you will never be able to erase or revise no matter how hard you wish you could.

• citizen69 | Apr 30, 2011, 06:01 PM EDT

  @Dan: Yeah Freudian slip, I meant crowd!

• Kilsally | Apr 30, 2011, 04:15 PM EDT

  Pretty simplistic arguments. Prince William was conferred Scottish, Irish, and English titles on top of his Welsh one to symbolise the constituent parts of the UK. Alot of other detail in the wedding also reflected that. Dutch William of Orange did not come to Ireland to enforce anything, he came as part of the League of Augsburg to defeat deposed King James of England who had raised an Irish army and his axis with King Louis of France. The League of Augsburg had the Popes support.

• Kilsally | Apr 30, 2011, 04:00 PM EDT

  citizen69 – Thanks for the tip…One of the best northern pubs for me was a little corner bar in Bangor…Fealty’s, best pint of porter ever, the barman said a keg only lasts about 3 hours, which may explain things…was ‘wrong kind of crown’ a typo?

• tmmulligan | Apr 30, 2011, 02:04 PM EDT

  Never claimed to live there, nor do I watch dancing. I am truly sorry if your life is so miserable and your heart is really filled with that much hatred......

• aloistmartin | Apr 30, 2011, 01:57 PM EDT

  As Any Inhabitant of Northern Ireland Will attest .. There`s so much more to Life than Dancing with The Stars ....

• tmmulligan | Apr 30, 2011, 12:25 PM EDT

  Wow! Such hatred! I was very happy to find this website but after reading this article and the other one concerning what kind of people watched the royal wedding, I do not want to return to it! This does not show your country in a very nice light. Why do you feel the need to tear people down? Write about something more positive, maybe wonder if his new title may help the Irish and how! I am so sick of people like you!

• citizen69 | Apr 30, 2011, 11:41 AM EDT

  @Dan: I think any Wetherspoons establishment is best avoided during the hours of darkness! ;) Although they provide a great choice of beers at very keen prices they can attract the wrong kind of crown in an evening! Next time visit the Dobbin's Inn, a historic and cosy wee pub/hotel across the road.

• citizen69 | Apr 30, 2011, 11:33 AM EDT

  @Bunkerhill: Why would Ireland (i take it you mean the Republic) goto the UN? They have no claim on Northern Ireland, constitutional or legal. Northern Ireland is not 'occupied'. The only people who claim otherwise is Sinn Fein.

• bunkerhill | Apr 30, 2011, 10:28 AM EDT

  So long folks. It was fun reading Irish Central and the comments. I actually am not Irish so I don't understand many of the comments. However I think Ireland should go to the UN and get the occupied part of their country back. No blood shed involved just world law. Israel is a prime example.

• bunkerhill | Apr 30, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT

  An important correction to the last comment. "Not all the Scots in Northern Ireland were from the warring clans."

• bunkerhill | Apr 30, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT

  Our local paper did a survey finding that less than 11% of our local population were going to watch the royal wedding. Then they had a beautiful editorial on what is means to be an American. Ireland should to the UN and get its occupied territory back. It is the last occupied country in Europe. Israel reclaimed their homeland. Another piece of history everyone missing is that the crown in England drove a bunch of warring clans out of SW Scotland claiming their land for sheep. Some were dispersed to the southern US, some to Australia and some to Northern Ireland. A program on TDC said that everywhere they put these particular clans they caused mayhem. In the past few years one of the clans was found to have a neurological disorder which caused them to fly into a rage at the slightest provocation. Maybe people should go back over this history with a different view point. Incidentally, now all the Scots in Northern Ireland were from the warring clans.

• EireinAmerica | Apr 30, 2011, 09:48 AM EDT

  Usual thing on this board,..the REAL Irish get mad,..I know I physically get ill anymore when I come to this forum,...and there are a bunch of loyalists that want to take up for the British and their monarchy,...Ireland completely belongs to the Irish and anything else is theft,..

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 30, 2011, 09:27 AM EDT

  barneyjo- is there a Wetherspoons Pub in or off a town square...if so I stumbled into a Loyalist wake there some years ago...if yes I know what you mean...

• barneyjo | Apr 30, 2011, 09:17 AM EDT

  Niall, I take it you've never been to Carrickfergus. If you had, you would know he's welcome to it!!

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 30, 2011, 09:12 AM EDT

  jerryd...I agree, that overhead shot showed how near to perfection those builders got. No CAD or machinery, just the toil and imagination of master craftsmen over many decades, and even longer. Pity so few modern buildings capture the 'awe factor'.

• jerrydonovan | Apr 30, 2011, 08:37 AM EDT

  Great spectacle.when viewing inside Westminister abbey I am awed by the ability of those who built it.Especially when you consider as to how many hundreds of years ago that it was built.As to titles,big deal,who cares.Some "patriots"{pompous}need to get a life.

• Towngate | Apr 30, 2011, 08:23 AM EDT

  Whilst the People of Northern Ireland democratically choose to remain under British Rule, the Queen is perfectly entitled to grant these titles.It is not likely she will confer the Order of Saint Patrick on you Niall, despite your association to the Peace Process - because of your begrudging attitude and disparaging remarks about British Royalty - and William might recall your disgraceful ungentlemanly description of his wife as an animal in a previous post. ~ Amongst all the military pomp and the Groom wearing the Uniform of Colonel of "The Micks" Regiment ~ (Irish Guards), with Shamrocks displayed at his throat, and on his brides dress,you will have noted he refused to wear his Ceremonial Sword. It's a thin hope,a chara, but it's the only one you've got! Take care.

• Realist | Apr 30, 2011, 05:41 AM EDT

  Dan & citizen69: I couldn't agree more. You have pretty much made all the points I intended to make. Niall: when are you going to accept that the British of Northern Ireland are here to stay? When are you going to accept or even recognize their identity, traditions, and culture? Even in West Belfast they held cross-community celebrations for the Royal Wedding - why can't you brush off that 400-year-old chip on your shoulder and show some similar good grace?

• DanOLoingsigh | Apr 30, 2011, 05:06 AM EDT

  One day you’re berating anyone showing the slightest interest in the ‘royal shenanigans’ which ‘signified nothing’, and the very next day you come over all ‘Natalie Portman’ over the conferring of a meaningless title... Some consistency please Niall!!

• citizen69 | Apr 30, 2011, 04:53 AM EDT

  @Kevin714: If you know your history then you'll know that large parts of Ulster, including Carrickfergus was GIVEN to Scottish lords by Irish chieftain Con O'Neill. These lords then invited Scottish lowlanders to settle on their barren Ulster estates. It was not stolen from anybody. Also the Anglo Normans were INVITED to Ireland by an Irish king to help protect his kingdom.

• citizen69 | Apr 30, 2011, 04:46 AM EDT

  Yet again Niall tries to create controversy with the Royal family, making out as if they are deliberately trying to offend the Irish with this title. How come i haven't heard about any controversy and i live in Ireland? The town of Carrickfergus is delighted with this new title for price William. You'll be very hard pressed to find anyone in this town who is offended by it. You claim you want to embrace the unionist people of Northern Ireland. Well with that you will have to accept their values, traditions & culture, and many of them are very proud of prince William and his new wife as was evident in the many street parties around the north yesterday, which of course would never get any positive coverage on I.C...What's wrong, are those people not Irish also? I don't hold out much hope for your vision of a 'united' Ireland of equals. Also, how do YOU know the reason Tony Blair & Gordon Brown were left off the guest list? You present speculation as fact. The wedding was not a state occasion, it was a royal one. The reason given for the omission was that those former PM's were not members of the Order of the Garter whom all had received invites.

• Kevin714 | Apr 30, 2011, 12:43 AM EDT

  The English stole our land its very clearly written in history, how can anyone argue about it? To still grant an English title in Ireland to a German family and with Carrickfergus having such strong connections to the norman invasion and later King William is a clear message to those in the know.

• Ajreaper | Apr 29, 2011, 11:22 PM EDT

  Living in the past benefits no one. It's a title it's not like he'll be setting up shop in Antrim and be wanting to govern- lighten up for Gawd sake!

• Irishlassred | Apr 29, 2011, 10:24 PM EDT

  Are you insane?.... "The Royal Family like many others around the world love their connection to Ireland. There's no Imperialism going on, just a Queen giving the future King a bunch of cool titles.." You can't give something you don't own. That land was stolen and remains stolen and the Brits ought to have figured that out by now. Don't think, for one fecking second, that those of us who had family members displaced by that rat bastard Lord Palmerston and all the other cronies of the Realm, have ever forgotten why it is that our ancestors were displaced.

• antoman | Apr 29, 2011, 10:09 PM EDT

  Just got off the phone with Baldonnel aerodrome.There's going to be a slight delay lads.Our aircraft have to be smeared with goose fat.Apparently this makes them invisible to English radar.

• laff1948 | Apr 29, 2011, 09:36 PM EDT

  Niall, You are like some little bitter bedwetter who gets chosen last in a baseball game. You take every opportunity to raise hell and ire over the mistreatment from everybody. My suggestion: grow some balls, shut up, and find something else to do for a living. You do a lousy job in this venue.It's obvious you get your jollies getting others up in arms. Go away.

• antoman | Apr 29, 2011, 09:09 PM EDT

  I may be wrong but as Baron of Carrickfergus he's entitled to sleep with the women of Antrim on their Wedding night.

• antoman | Apr 29, 2011, 07:58 PM EDT

  Don't scoff.Provided the Irish pilot does'nt have a thermos of coffee in the cockpit.There's no heat signature for missiles to lock onto and because our aircraft will be flying slowly to conserve fuel.The English jets will stall and fall to the ground.Our lads win the day without even having to squeeze the trigger.

• antoman | Apr 29, 2011, 07:35 PM EDT

  Maybe we should scramble our Spitfires and P51 Mustangs?Have them fly parallel to the Border.As a show of strenght like.Not now of course,its dark.In the morning after the nightclubs have closed.

• Gearoid4 | Apr 29, 2011, 07:16 PM EDT

  The title 'Duke of Carrickfergus' is granted like a little bauble for a task well done. It also indicates a territorial statement which associates the second-in-line to the British throne with a part of Ireland. In the scheme of things it may seem meaningless to many people but if you believe in the territorial integrity of Ireland rent asunder by a British act of parliament in 1921, then it indicates that there is some unfinished business still underneath the seemingly placid surface.

• patmurrihy | Apr 29, 2011, 07:15 PM EDT

  You have to be kidding me. As soon as the Irish government sold itself back to the Brits last year this dialog needed to change. The Royal Family like many others around the world love their connection to Ireland. There's no Imperialism going on, just a Queen giving the future King a bunch of cool titles. Fix the Irish economy, get rid of the new Irish gangsters, stop the emigration and buy Ireland back from the UK and rest of Europe. And in doing so stop worrying about a brilliant marketing campaign that just sold millions of tourists on coming back to England. This article smacks of supreme Irish jealousy. Who could bring that type of PR to Ireland?

• nottbrian | Apr 29, 2011, 07:10 PM EDT

  As "the home of Irish America", contributors to this site of all places should recognise how tenuous an Irish identity can be. Prince William, however, has a strong and recent ancestral connection to Ireland as does his regiment. Contrary to the paranoid and irrational arguments of Mr O'Dowd above, the gestures made by the royal family today are no doubt in recognition of this Irish heritage and the hundreds of thousands of Irishmen who have served in their armies. This fact can not be white-washed from our history.

• patmurrihy | Apr 29, 2011, 07:02 PM EDT

  You have to be kidding me. As soon as the Irish government sold itself back to the Brits last year this dialog needed to change. The Royal Family like many others around the world love their connection to Ireland. There's no Imperialism going on, just a Queen giving the future King a bunch of cool titles. Fix the Irish economy, get rid of the new Irish gangsters, stop the emigration and buy Ireland back from the UK and rest of Europe. And in doing so stop worrying about a brilliant marketing campaign that just sold millions of tourists on coming back to Ireland. This article smacks of supreme Irish jealousy. Who could bring that type of PR to Ireland?

• antoman | Apr 29, 2011, 06:57 PM EDT

  This won't go down at all well with Lord Lowry of Tipperary.He will see the Baron as a direct challenger to the Irish throne.

• antoman | Apr 29, 2011, 06:36 PM EDT

  Contact the German Embassy immediately! Have a WW1 Fokker Triplane shipped over.So that der Baron can see his new spread from the air.

• mamaginnty | Apr 29, 2011, 06:25 PM EDT

  He had enough titles why give him an Irish one, a slap in the face for Ireland. Would like to have been a fly on her wall when she decided on that title. " Oh William as I am heading for Ireland I may as well give you one of the towns as a wedding present "

• kennymcg | Apr 29, 2011, 06:17 PM EDT

  Shite - that means I can't sing Carrickfergus anymore ... seems to have lost its luster!

• shelaylee | Apr 29, 2011, 06:08 PM EDT

  why was he given a Irish title??? He is a lovely man and they are a sweet couple ,but he is English and royalty at that.everyone is suddenly Irish ???? come on now.there is such a thing as making all feel welcome and comfortable and yes the Irish excepted everyone one ,and we give honor to all. but come on

• islenita | Apr 29, 2011, 06:08 PM EDT

  Interesting statement re: Britain staking their continuing claim to No Ireland.

• EireinAmerica | Apr 29, 2011, 06:04 PM EDT

  Many of the Irish also have long memories,..