One of the 'ties that bind' countries together is mutual acquaintance – the better you know a country the more empathy you feel with it, and the better you understand its people and its culture.
It is well-known that during the long years of the 'troubles' Northern Ireland was not exactly a tourist magnet, but that in the years since 1998 an increasing number of visitors have come to see what the fuss was all about.
However, since 2004, the origin of those visitors has undergone some rather strange changes:
The numbers from Britain are dropping year on year, while those from elsewhere are gradually increasing, apart from a 2008 recession-related stutter. The numbers from the south massively understate the actual number of visitors, of course, as very few southern visitors need (or want) to stay the night. Numbers from all sources are undercounted, as people very often stay with family and friends rather than in hotels or guesthouses, but this is likely to depress all the numbers proportionately.
So what is happening? Why are people from Britain coming in smaller numbers? Perhaps the figures are merely reflecting the trough that follows a peak of post-ceasefire tourist curiosity – but if so, why are North American, European and southern visitors not equally affected?
Perhaps the figures reflect a simple fading of interest in Northern Ireland. Perhaps there are simply fewer reasons to visit – there is scarcely a private sector economy to invest in, there are no world-class universities or research facilities, there are no 'must see' attractions, no outstanding architecture or cultural events.
As time goes on, and as fewer British people visit Northern Ireland, the ties will bind less and less, until eventually Northern Ireland will be less well known than more distant regions of Europe. Already more British people visit the south – especially Dublin – than the north. Their empathy with people on the other side of the Irish Sea will increasingly be empathy with the south, and with 'Irish' culture, history and symbolism. When the day of reckoning comes, and when Northern Ireland finally votes in favour of Irish reunification, there will be little or no objections from a Britain that is comfortable with the south, and that knows and cares little about the interests of the (then) northern minority.
It is well-known that during the long years of the 'troubles' Northern Ireland was not exactly a tourist magnet, but that in the years since 1998 an increasing number of visitors have come to see what the fuss was all about.
However, since 2004, the origin of those visitors has undergone some rather strange changes:
The numbers from Britain are dropping year on year, while those from elsewhere are gradually increasing, apart from a 2008 recession-related stutter. The numbers from the south massively understate the actual number of visitors, of course, as very few southern visitors need (or want) to stay the night. Numbers from all sources are undercounted, as people very often stay with family and friends rather than in hotels or guesthouses, but this is likely to depress all the numbers proportionately.
So what is happening? Why are people from Britain coming in smaller numbers? Perhaps the figures are merely reflecting the trough that follows a peak of post-ceasefire tourist curiosity – but if so, why are North American, European and southern visitors not equally affected?
Perhaps the figures reflect a simple fading of interest in Northern Ireland. Perhaps there are simply fewer reasons to visit – there is scarcely a private sector economy to invest in, there are no world-class universities or research facilities, there are no 'must see' attractions, no outstanding architecture or cultural events.
As time goes on, and as fewer British people visit Northern Ireland, the ties will bind less and less, until eventually Northern Ireland will be less well known than more distant regions of Europe. Already more British people visit the south – especially Dublin – than the north. Their empathy with people on the other side of the Irish Sea will increasingly be empathy with the south, and with 'Irish' culture, history and symbolism. When the day of reckoning comes, and when Northern Ireland finally votes in favour of Irish reunification, there will be little or no objections from a Britain that is comfortable with the south, and that knows and cares little about the interests of the (then) northern minority.
20 comments:
i think the brits couldn't care less, most of them see us as pure irish, if you look through certain videos on YT, there are a lot of english ppl who actively support a united ireland, and there are those who hate the unionist cause, particularly the orange order. i think in general most english have sympathy with the irish, as opposed to the unionists. iv also seen a few protestants on there with big Ns and Rs, dont let watcher tell u any different, hes on here looking for nothing more than a wee bit of attention. we luv u watcher (nationalist with a small n, if ye ask me mo charas)
I've lived in England for years and have to say in my experience the attitude here to Northern Ireland varies between complete indifference to one of "why don't we just get rid of it?"
No doubt there are some people who want to maintain the union with NI, though if there are I've never came across them.
Christopher McGimpsey's articles in the Guardian receive responses which illustrate this pretty well; "You think we want you lot and your drum banging marches and far right politics?", and "Oh please - go away. All this union crap is so 19th century. Independence for the Celtic parasites - and freedom for England!"
Their knowledge of the union seems to extend to little more than them paying a fortune to keep troublesome paddies in the manner to which they've become accustomed; which is exactly what it is.
Freedom for the English from this parasitic link, and pride for the Irish in standing on their own two feet!
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Have you never heard the saying "LESS IS MORE"?
What's next, a full article on the distribution of lager brands drank across the 'religious divide' and how it correlates with brands drank in Dublin as opposed to England south of Watford?
Talk about diluting your arguement...
i don't think you've answered the main point watchman, england wants rid?
The Irish have being saying that for almost a hundred years now and no doubt they'll still be saying it in another hundred years. I can't be answerable for the delusions of the systematically brainwashed.
Anonymous said:
"I've lived in England for years and have to say in my experience the attitude here to Northern Ireland varies between complete indifference to one of "why don't we just get rid of it?"
No doubt there are some people who want to maintain the union with NI, though if there are I've never came across them.
Christopher McGimpsey's articles in the Guardian receive responses which illustrate this pretty well; "You think we want you lot and your drum banging marches and far right politics?", and "Oh please - go away. All this union crap is so 19th century. Independence for the Celtic parasites - and freedom for England!"
Their knowledge of the union seems to extend to little more than them paying a fortune to keep troublesome paddies in the manner to which they've become accustomed; which is exactly what it is.
Freedom for the English from this parasitic link, and pride for the Irish in standing on their own two feet!"
Interesting stuff mate. I've lived in The Republic for years and most people I know couldn't give a toss about 'da north', especially the sort of vermin who live in strongly Nationalist areas. I personally would go further and say that should there be any attempts to 'unite' Ireland, I'd join Loyalist Forces opposing such madness. And I wouldn't be alone...
"I-lie-2" - nice try watcher, we know it is you.
hahahahaha
Interesting data, would be interesting to see it in comparison to sterling and euro values. And of course the IKEA effect :D
As a genuine southerner I can assure all and sundry that I-lie-2 is talking complete tosh.
ANY WORD ON THE DERRY NAME CHANGE? IF THE CITY IS CHANGED TO DERRY,AS IT SHOULD BE, WILL THE COUNTY NAME CHAGE ALSO ? WILL WE NEVER HEAR THAT londonDERRY TERM AGAIN.
CANT WAIT TO TRAVEL TO 6 COUNTIES AGAIN AND SEE NO MORE londonDERRY SIGNPOSTS.
WHEN SINN FÉIN TAKEOVER BELFAST CITY COUNCIL,WILL THEY BE ABLE TO CALL THE CITY BÉAL FEIRSTE ? THIS WOULD PUT ME AND MY FELLOW DUBS TO SHAME.BUT BRING IT ON.
ON A SIDE NOTE,IS QUEENS UNIVERSITY MAINLY NATIONALIST OR UNIONIST AND WHATS THE STORY WITH UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER IN COLERAINE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MINISTER FOR SPORT IN 6 COUNTIES WELCOMING ARMAGH MINORS TO STORMONT.BET HE WONT THOUGH.WOULD PROBABLY MAKE HIS SKIN CRINGE.
OÍCHE MHAITH MO CHAIRDE GO LÉIR
I make a point to ask any British person I get to know what they think and feel about N.I. Every single English person says they would be glad to get rid of it. With Scots though it is a different story. I would say about half, or more, of Scottish people support the union with N.I. I don't know why this is but it seems to be my experience. Do U.K. opinion polls support this divide?
RE1803 University of ulster is catholic majority, the area of coleraine is vast majority protestant, but there is a massive amount of catholics in the university, not sure about a majority. agree with your doire comments, im a derry man, up the dubs though, i was born down there, when me da was on the run, 4 rioting back in the day, believe it or not. cheers mo chara.....
Anonymous said:
"I make a point to ask any British person I get to know what they think and feel about N.I. Every single English person says they would be glad to get rid of it. With Scots though it is a different story. I would say about half, or more, of Scottish people support the union with N.I. I don't know why this is but it seems to be my experience. Do U.K. opinion polls support this divide?"
Interesting anecdotal 'evidence' from an anonymous poster...
Robert Emmet/pagasp,
Queen's is majority Catholic as well.
Malestripper- opinion polls across Britain for support with the union with NI show about 60% favour British withdrawal, though this was higher during the troubles. With peace, English attitudes seem to have softened somewhat. I've had a quick look for the graph which shows how this figure has changes over the years but couldn't find it. Google it though, it's out there somewhere.
The real question that needs asking by Irish Nationalists, is how high on the list of priorities is Northern Ireland to people on the mainland? British politicians have little interest in what The British people think about issues that are of little interest to those British people. In fact, they care little about what The British people think anyway - consider issues such as immigration and the death penalty. British politicians prefer to 'lead' public opinion using sympathetic media, rather than follow it.
Any Irish Nationalist hoping to use British public opinion to leverage a United Ireland is going to be very badly let down - yet again.
Andy Watcher MaleStripper I-lie-2 McCann,
bla bla bla
Any thoughts on my question? Do opinion polls in Britain support a Scottish/English divide? Or was this just a quirk of my unscientific survey? It might make some sense that Scots are more supportive. N.I. is closest to Scotland geographically and the Unionists I believe are mainly descended from Scottish people.
malestripper mc watcher o donovon mc cann
What is this mainland your talking about? Northern Irelaand is not part of Britain and never can be part of Britain. That is impossible. There is no mainland UK, that doesnt exist, the UK is a union of countries.
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