British at home, Irish abroad

[Jemee Hope]

Unionists had little difficulty describing themselves as Irish until the Irish Ireland movement got underway in the late 1800's when they were told that they weren't. Even the OO considered itself an Irish organization--it used Irish on it's banners.

[belfastlad]

Unionists had little difficulty describing themselves as Irish until the Irish Ireland movement got underway in the late 1800's when they were told that they weren't. Even the OO considered itself an Irish organization--it used Irish on it's banners.

Thank god they don't anymore, really would be embarrassing if they did.

[DAOINE]

I lived in various parts of the world and I have come across this alot. NI Protestants will always go to an Irish pub for instance but many call it an "Ireland Bar". If they go to a British pub they will be called a "Paddy" a term I hate. They can blend into the background easier in and Irish Bar.
They also always turn up at Irish embassy events around the world as the DFA always invite them. This means they must be registered as Irish but they are not Catholic.
These people used to annoy a friend of mine who was an SDLP man from Armagh. He said if they were in NI they would "Banging the lambeg".
I know this doesnt sound very nice but I am only sharing my experiences.
Also when I lived in Belfast in the mid 90's I was asked many times by NI people if I was from Ireland. They were inferring that I was in a foreign country. This was always asked by members of the Protestant community.
Also the 1920's NI Unionists by and large identified themselves as Irish and Protestant. This obviously changed later. Also the UK is made up of different parts. each part is something and British.
The NI unionist community has a little identity crisis when it comes to admitting where they are from.

[Shankill Browser]

Unionists had little difficulty describing themselves as Irish until the Irish Ireland movement got underway in the late 1800's when they were told that they weren't. Even the OO considered itself an Irish organization--it used Irish on it's banners.

Thank god they don't anymore, really would be embarrassing if they did.

Now Now Belfast, I know you're smart enough to get the point that Jemee was really making.