Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
WE ASKED 15 ordinary people one question. Here’s what they told us.
What makes YOU most proud to be Irish? Let us know in the comments.
SSE Airtricity is Ireland’s largest provider of 100% green energy. But green is more than just a colour to us – it speaks to us as a nation. Green is our energy, our resilience, our unity and our traditions. Green is powerful. Receive €120 credit and 10% off electricity when you make the move to SSE Airtricity today. #PowerofGreen
I love that as a politician I can do whatever i like knowing that my pals in the media and large corporations will help me cover it up. And even if the plebs do find out about it, they’ll likely just moan to their mates rather than do anything.
“What’s in it for me?”
Why am I not surprised with negative comments on this….some people just always negative
it’s not negative, it’s realistic. all the tasks in the video could be anywhere in the world, from Canada to Gdansk to Guangzhou to Te Awamuntu, you will find good, welcoming people who enjoy culture, socialising as much as anywhere. The differential is the role of the state, and ours is currently letting us down, ripping us off, sometimes attacking us (like in Erris, and the peaceful water protests), and in general we are who we are in spite of this. it doesn’t make us less proud of the good that we see, but we have to defend the good parts, and so thinking are special in the world.
It is actually negative. The question was posed in a positive frame. It didn’t ask what you don’t like about the country or what you would like to improve. And people on here moan about politicians not answering questions properly…
Well it’s not our politicians, regulators or media-makes me very embarrassed to be Irish
How much did they pay these clowns. Ireland was a great place to live but that is long gone. Now its dump full of people out to rip people off. The good honest decent people have been swept aside while the thieves , tax dodgers and the robbers are rewarded. If you are not on the take you might as well leave. We have people forced out of their homes by bankers who they bailed out. We have charities run to rob sick people. Foreign billionaire companies paying no taxes. NAMA. Scandals in sporting organisations. The worst health system in Europe. The highest insurance costs and the highest drinks prices. Corrupt politicans. Need I go on. And these people are proud to be Irish.
I agree totally, I am of the middle aged/older variety of true Irish citizen.I have seen it all since I was brought up in tenements in Fenian Street . We hadn’t a shillin but were happier then. Ireland, the true Ireland is long gone. The PC brigade and the government informing us how we will live and suck it up! The media and DOB covering up everything and hiding reality from us.
Just imagine if you asked any of the government a solid question if you were a new interviewer, you would not be employed the next day. I could go on but I don’t want to bore anybody. I have the experience of time gone by like some people here.
I never thought I would say it but a revolt is the only way. Revolt against ALL the current TD’s and their underlings, show them what is left of the real Irish people and reveal to all that we are well aware of the dodgy deals, I just cannot fathom the untruths that are put up with, everybody just goes along and tut tut’s , isn’t that terrible etc. etc. Until we get the next load of wannabe liars of TD’s that pretend to be on the peoples side.
It’s like the BUG in Beaumount hospital, it’s been their for years, now and again their is an outbreak of the Bug, but it still remains there for years and years. The only way to eradicate the Bug is by getting every last person out of Beaumount hospital and eradicate the Bug by Totally, Similar to the good old boys we refer to as our government.
Well said Brendan!! And that is why I live in Germany!!
I do love my country but the people in power have slowly whittled away the moral of the working class folk. Criminals have no fear of the garda, courts or prisons..vulture companies get all the benefits by stopping mortgage holders getting the same deal. High profile bankers get community service while garlic trader gets 6 years. Tds expences do not have to be published, last act of last Dail which took exactly 19 seconds to pass. The scales of justice are gold on one side but lead on the other,they may look balanced but we know it’s not. Ireland great country pity about the politicians
Ireland is a 5hithole
You know where the airports are.
@JJ O Riordan: Here, here and here ;)
@JJ O Riordan: the usual stupid reply.
What’s stupid about it? If you don’t like somewhere, leave. Sounds pretty logical to me. I like the place, so I’ll be staying. Also logical enough.
@JJ O Riordan: I have left it. I live outside like anybody else with a brain. I have left it to idiots like you.
I do hope your staying there. The bitter diaspora should stay exactly that, diaspora. Invites to come home for Christmas dry up quickly? May I ask why, if you hate your nationality so much, do come on to its websites to bitch? Who’s the idiot here, exactly?
So much negativity here. I’ve been to probably 35 different countries and have seen so many peoples faces light up when I tell them where I’m from. I have only ever gotten a neutral reaction in the UK where they are so used to meeting the Irish. I’ve been travelling with people from other countries who got a mute and neutral (and even bad) reaction. Their opinion isn’t based on any old folklore tales, but how we act as a people in the modern age. I’ve met so many tourists who, the vast majority, say it is our people and their warmness, humour and kindness that has left a great impression. Governments suck everywhere, but people in different countries tend to have a very different outlook on life than us. Maybe stop being such pessimists for a few minutes and just have a look at how many great things we have going for us here in Ireland.
Been to 77 countries and in many of them I have to explain where Ireland us. Ireland is seen as part of England. Governments suck because people vite for them. I remember Ireland when it was a great place to live but now I live away from it because its a dump. A place run for certain people.
So you have seen such an amount of countries and this one rates so low that it is a dump? Is it that the political situation in these 76 other countries is a utopia compared to here, or more to the point out of those 76 other countries how many would you live in and not call a dump? I’d genuinely like plenty of examples cause if Ireland is such a dump there must be at least 40 of 50 of those countries that aren’t dumps.
@Sideshow Brendan: With all due respect Brendan: so what? I don’t get this. I’ve visited over 40 countries and yes, some people do ‘light up’ when you say you’re Irish but, again, so what? It doesn’t make the county less corrupt or more efficient. It doesnt stop the oligarchy running rough shod over us. Nor does it change the attitude of the Irish people who live in this fantasy land where ‘everybody loves us’ and we’re the ‘fighting Irish’ but lie down and elect gangs of unqualified politicians to kick us. I agree with Brendan Keegan: In many countries I’ve visited the locals have no idea, nor do they care, where or what Ireland is. Yes, there is corruption in many countries. I’m reminded of James Joyce “Italy, at least, has two things to balance its miserable poverty and mismanagement: a lively intellectual movement and a good climate. Ireland is Italy without these two”
Tony maybe you should watch the video first. I doubt you have because you seem to be talking about something else. Are you going to answer the question and say what is great about Ireland? Alot of talk there, plenty of side stepping but still havent answered what is great. I have.
@Sideshow Brendan: My answer Brendan: The scenery and the surf. Now on your post, your answer of what is great about Ireland seems to consist of what other nations think of us when we’re in their country or am I reading that wrong? Not much of an answer and unlikely to be a tagline for board failte now is it: ‘come to Ireland, other people think we’re great’ That is what motivated my post, our national inferiority complex. We as a nation need to take a good hard look at ourselves as opposed to living off the opinions of other nations. Stop all the baloney about being the ‘fighting Irish’ as we have no idea how to fight. Stop the Isle of Saints and Scholars nonsense as, again, we’re not. There are so many people in this country who want to try to trudge into an uncertain future by looking with rose tinted glasses at the past or posting trite remarks about our sense of humour or non specific praise such as ‘many great things we have going for us here in Ireland’
NAMA
Let’s interview 15 Dubs..
To be honest, less and less with each generation that comes along…
That we can win or lose with grace, including many of our stars like Katie Taylor, Pádraig Harrington and the Irish soccer fans. That’s a good trait to have.
I love Ireland for the beautiful weather we have every day.I love surfing those waves in dollymount. And the bacon and cabbage!
I love to say lreland is carefree,but those days are gone soon as you hit eighteen and the first bills come in the door with your name on them.
Our parents because that sh#t is dying out
See the “Good Country Index” on TED TV. Plenty to be proud of.
have your say