The Student Room Group

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Reply 1
its a part of the british isles...and formerly part of the UK...so i guess its hung over from that..

in rugby, it encompasses all of ireland, including northern ireland.
Because it is a home nation, the fact that it is no longer part of the same state as the UK is irrelevant.
NDGAARONDI
Surely they are just as foreign as France?

If Scotland left the UK would it then suddenly be as foreign as France?
Reply 4
an Siarach
If Scotland left the UK would it then suddenly be as foreign as France?


Politically yes. Do you catch the Irish saying England is a home nation along with them included?
Reply 5
is this a political, or sporting question?
Reply 6
technik

in rugby, it encompasses all of ireland, including northern ireland.


I guess David Trimble doesnt watch much rugby then.
Reply 7
technik
is this a political, or sporting question?


Sporting really. I just heard it a few times on TV and just wondered why it was, that's all :smile:
Reply 8
kingslaw
I guess David Trimble doesnt watch much rugby then.

dunno...

a good game to play is "spot the prod". ie, watch for those looking at the ground/not singing the irish anthem when its played as the camera goes along the team...

one former player, a DUP councillor (hard line unionists) used to shake his head in disgust as the anthem was played.
Reply 9
technik
a good game to play is "spot the prod". ie, watch for those looking at the ground/not singing the irish anthem when its played as the camera goes along the team...


Or for any anthem for that matter.

I would hate for any DUP member to watch hurling when they see a Northern Ireland team play against a Republic of Ireland team and they both have to endure the Irish national anthem... :rolleyes:
NDGAARONDI
Politically yes. Do you catch the Irish saying England is a home nation along with them included?

Then youve hit the nail on the head there; the status of 'home nation' has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with shared history,culture and to an extent religion and familial ties.
EDIT: as the above criteria would make the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand home nations as well geography is probably the deciding factor in addition to the others.
piginapoke
Not about Ireland specifically but in a sporting context (mainly football), usually only players from countries that do not speak English as a first language are truly considered foreign. Irish, American, Australian and even South African players are not seen as being 'as foreign as', for example, French players. So, my theory is basically the language barrier, and re. Ireland, they speak English (no flames about Gaelic) and its right next to us, so isn't seen as foreign; if the first language in Ireland was Gaelic for example and hardly anyone spoke English, we'd think of Ireland as 'more foreign'. IMO.

Agreed.
Reply 12
What else could you call them?

British Isles teams would be technically more correct but ...............

Historically Ireland has been less foreign, I'm not going to go into the politics of partition / occupation / independence. But before the EU (common market even) british and irish people didn't need passports to visit each others countries, didn't need work permits and for a long time pounds and punts were linked.
Reply 13
NDGAARONDI
Or for any anthem for that matter.

I would hate for any DUP member to watch hurling when they see a Northern Ireland team play against a Republic of Ireland team and they both have to endure the Irish national anthem... :rolleyes:


huh?
sashh
Historically Ireland has been less foreign, I'm not going to go into the politics of partition / occupation / independence. But before the EU (common market even) british and irish people didn't need passports to visit each others countries, didn't need work permits and for a long time pounds and punts were linked.

Citizens of the Republic of Ireland are allowed to serve with the British Armed Forces and can vote in our Elections.
I have heard this phrase used in sport events with England, Scotland and Wales, which is fair enough. But why do they use the term with (the Republic of) Ireland? Surely they are just as foreign as France?


You cant be serious?

Its because were a Republic.

Free from British rule since 1922. Therefore we are a republic
Reply 16
Irish Dougal
Free from British rule since 1922.


a sad year.
Every feckn year was sad under ye. Ye made a :smile::smile::smile::smile:e of the place. During British rule the population was over 7million. Then after a few years it droped!! :frown: today its under 4million :eek: Because of British rule neglete
Reply 18
Irish Dougal
Every feckn year was sad under ye. Ye made a :smile::smile::smile::smile:e of the place. During British rule the population was over 14million. Then after a few years it droped!! :frown: today its under 4million :eek: Because of British rule neglete

14 million. false. closer to half that in the 1840s when the famine started.

plus the population continued to drop for 40 years after the republic was formed.

what alternative history are you taught there?

dear dear.
14 million is ludicrous claim. Highest figure ive seen pre famine is 6million.