Why do many Northern Irish feel they are not British?

Question

I certainly don't regard myself as British, as they illegally occupy my country. Would gladly trade all of the so-called UK benefits for freedom. But would like to here from others who feel the same and know their reasons.

Note there is no foul language, threats of violence etc. in my question. If it is in violation, I can only conclude such 'violation' if politically motivated.

Respectfully Clair, my ancestors were the natives, here well before the British or the planters.

My family has not 'interbred' with them. And politically, is not the point. If you wish to continue the discussion, please email me.

Answer 1

I concur wholeheartedly, my friend.

The Brits have occupied Ireland for over 800 years. They starved over half the population either to death or into emigration. They executed the fathers of modern Ireland. The gerrymandered not only Ireland, but even Ulster itself. They treated the natives as second-class citizens. They interned hundred of men and women without crime and without trial. They fired on peaceful protestors (Bloody Sunday). They then switched to plastic bullets to protect their plastic statelet. They allowed ten brave men to die on hunger strike (including an MP and a TD). They governed their statelet directly from London as they were afraid of how the locals were likely to vote.

Now, when the Provos have done as they demanded and renounced violence and decommissioned their weapons, the Brits have installed a fat hypocritical bigot as putative leader of the Six Counties.

Padraic Pearse said it best, "Ireland unfree shall never be at peace".

Tiocfaidh ár lá!

Answer 2

Well, the Northern Irish are not British as they are not a constituent of Great Britain. They are part of the United Kingdom (of Northern Ireland & Great Britain).

That said, you have to deal with the realities of the situation. Regardless of how a situation came to arise I do not believe you can describe the British as illegally occupying a country when (a) the majority of occupants therein want to remain part of the UK and (b) the British have made in clear that if a referendum were to show that the majority of people in Northeren Ireland did not want to be part of the UK then it is perfectly free to opt for independence. (I'm sure the British Government would love for this to be the case - it would solve the problem once and for all - the British people don't give a toss whether Northern ireland is part of the UK or not.)
To call the situation an illegal occupation is to do a disservice to those countries in the world where this is truly the case and where democracy does not exist. An illegal occupation would be what the USA and UK are doing in Iraq.

Answer 3

Many Northern Irish who are not Roman Catholic carry Irish Passports by Choice. They would see themselves as a British citizen, but also Irish. Before anybody jumps in to say this is not the case, I have returned from Egypt with a group of people from North & South, and over 50% of those from the North carried Irish passports.. They were not Roman Catholics. Many of them also in conversation with myself, felt a desire for the Country to be one, in whatever form was agreed. They also felt a deep hurt because so many of their friends and neighbours were killed in the troubles, and they were not in either the Army or the Police. Indeed one of them was shot twice coming out of a business centre, two others were killed in the same shooting. It is true to say that the British occupied Ireland many years ago, and when the majority of people on the Island, including a majority in four of the 6 Counties that are now called Northern Ireland, voted for Nationalist candidates, the Government of the Time
used the "Orange Card" and some of the British Generals refused to back the Government against those who had taken up arms in those six Counties. These people were members of the Orange Order. It also suited London to hold on to this part of Ireland, because of its Industries and some of the main ports in Ireland. That is all past now and we have an agreement to share power in the North of Ireland. Yes Dr Paisley, who has a lot to answer for over the troubles, has got what he always wanted, to be 1st Minister in N.I. but I believe that in his Heart of Hearts he knows that we are now moving on the road towards an agreed Ireland with a new relationsjhip with the Countries of the Island of Britain, and that together, as four Independent Nations we can work together for the good of all the people of the British/Irish Isles, and within the European Union. I believe that all that is happening now is empowered by God. Please help in the peace process, and do not try tp stir up hatred again. There are still many wounds to be healed on both sides.

Answer 4

Because they would like to feel that they were (at least in) part of the natives that were on the Island before the English took them over only 700? years ago.


edit: That's fantastic that you know that, but aren't there many English that assimilated there, were put there as land owners over the hundreds of years,
did they keep to themselves, or did they inter'breed' with the Irish natives?

Answer 5

The Irish, especially North Ireland, and not British.

The Brits are the illegal occupiers of Ireland, and have been so for far too long. That's why the IRA fought so hard as freedom fighters, to get the Brits out.

Answer 6

because they're not! and I personally being from England wouln't care if Nothern Ireland broke free of the United Kingdom!

*blessed be*

Answer 7

Lol give it up buddy and become English. England really is the only country that matters in the British isles anyway and even England is shite. So that makes Northern Ireland pointless. Give up all the UK benefits and become free LOLOLOLOLOL.

Answer 8

Many Northern Irish feel like they're not British?
They must not own a map.......

Answer 9

Guess they feel Irish.