Faugh a ballagh!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 09:16PM 
I've been watching this fascinating insight into the recruitment compositionof some regiments of our Army as covered by Tommie Gorman on RTE. Amazing! People from the island of Ireland make up 40% of the recruits to the Irish Guards and we only have to look back at the history of the Royal Irish Regiment to know that some people from the Republic are steadily trickling in to Army recruitment offices in Northern Ireland. And why not? The Irish Army (the legitimate one, not the terrorist pretender) is largely a defence force representing a neutral country. Thus, the opportunities to see the world and develop a career are simply not as broad as they are in HM Armed Forces.
Of course, it only took the recent fabulous Homecoming Parade of the RIR to bring out the pathogenicity of Gerry Adams. Huddled into a corner of Belfast centre far from the media gaze, the false mantle of 'equals' had vanished without trace (a bit like Shergar). There he stood with his motley crew from the Standing There Stupidly and Holding Up Stupid Posters Party sulking over the 'British feet on Irish soil' phenomenon. Mind you, I suppose we should be grateful that he sought permission from a government quango to hold such a display. We must not forget that the Ballymurphy Chapter of the People's Front of Judea thought they could mount a Fenian version of the Charge of the Light Brigade without seeking permission from anyone!!
Angus isn't too pleased with Irishmen fighting on behalf of the Queen, either! Apparently Irish neutrality is being gang-raped. Get this cobblers:
'Irish neutrality is being violated by the recruitment of young people into the British Army in Ireland. Article 4 of the Hague Convention on neutrality states that 'combatants cannot be formed nor recruiting agencies opened on the territory of a neutral Power to assist the belligerents'.
Indeed it does, Angus. Well spotted! So the fact that combatants are not being formed, and recruitment agencies are not being opened, in the Republic of Ireland should help to settle that pickled mass you laughingly call an 'analytical mind'. Recruitment agencies lie outside the territory of that neutral state and the right of HM Armed Forces to advertise for citizens of the Republic is part and parcel of the transnational movement of goods, people and services that form the bedrock of EU membership. Placing advertisements for the Army in the Irish Times is no different than advertising a post for English teachers in Crete.
Then there's this beauty:
'The British Army carries on active recruitment in the Six Counties (that's 'Northern Ireland' to normal people), in violation of the principles underlying the Good Friday Agreement.'
I recommend that the above quote is not shown to a constitutional lawyer with a weak bladder and an inclination to spontaneous laughter. Wasn't aware that the fundamental right of the UK to operate recruitment stations for its Armed Forces within its own realm was swept away in April 1998. Quick, we'd better close the Army Careers Information offices in Portadown, Omagh, Holywood and Coleraine; the RFCA in Belfast; and the Territorial Army (NI) HQ in Limavady, because Angus is pissed. What a hoot!!
Naturally, what really annoys the disciples of Irish republicanism is the cross-religious make-up of anything that defends or professes loyalty to the British State (the PSNI excepted). When they are in the propaganda fairyland of 'we Catholics have gotta stick together', it's easy for them to indulge in their small-minded prognotications about demographic change. When the reality hits them they find it hard to handle.
I welcome people from the Republic into HM Armed Forces and I commend them for their bravery, as I do the recruits from the 20-odd other countries who have a history of volunteering their services in defence of the United Kingdom. What a pity there remains too many on the island of Ireland who imagine the embodiment of a 'soldier' to be a tosspot cloaked in five--o-clock shadow, mud-soaked jeans, tatty sneakers and a poorly knitted balaclava.
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Reader Comments (122)
Not a bad post. Any interest in joining yourself?
Well Walter Mitty....I mean Andrew, where were you today, Laos perhaps?
Nope!! If I captured enemy combatants I'd just have to put the boot in
RS
Aren't you in bed yet? It's past 10 o'clock.
"Nope!! If I captured enemy combatants I'd just have to put the boot in"
Read
"Don't have the balls"
When you heading back to the Taj Andrew? Does it deliver?
Actually an interesting post might be the historical contributions of colonial and/or commonwealth nations to the armed forces of the UK. I am presently reading Rick Atkison's The Day of Battle which includes detailed narrative of New Zealand, Gurka, Indian, Canadian, etc contributions during World War II in Italy.
Andrew has a point, some people are so lost they won't eat English muffins. Course it cuts both ways.
"Nope!! If I captured enemy combatants I'd just have to put the boot in"
Read..
'Wouldn't have the discipline to keep an array of boots, knuckledusters and sharp objects away from the heads of incarcerated fanatical Muslims and incarcerated fanatical Fenians.'
'Does it deliver?'
Yes, and with far more satisfaction than you.
You really are a funny bullshitter Mitty McCann.
As I said, 'with far more satisfaction than you.'
Do you rely on men usually for your satisfaction Andrew?
Aren't we getting away from the topic?
Unfortunately Andrew's threads often do. Some people just want to have a go at Andrew aren't interested in properly discussing the topic at hand and it all becomes too personalised.
Apologies folks, but Mitty McCann is a thoroughly unlikeable person.
As this...
"Wouldn't have the discipline to keep an array of boots, knuckledusters and sharp objects away from the heads of incarcerated fanatical Muslims and incarcerated fanatical Fenians.'"
Demonstrates, that coupled with his bullshitting.
Colm -
Don't they just. The Irish have a long and honourable history of taking His/Her Majesty's shilling and fighting for Blighty. God bless them all.
'men'?
You're a long way from that description.
'but Mitty McCann is a thoroughly unlikeable person.
Fuck off then!!
Pete
Yes they have and all credit to them. The Al-Provoharoun aren't fit to kiss their boots.
Why does RS immediately resort to pathetic ad hominems whenever Andrew McCann posts? Clearly the fact that many Irishmen choose to join the British Army perplexes his narrow mind,but why not debate the issue instead of the bitter, hissy schoolgirl rants
RS
Well argue against the views expressed then rather than turn it into a name-calling fest.
"Why does RS immediately resort to pathetic ad hominems whenever Andrew McCann posts? Clearly the fact that many Irishmen choose to join the British Army perplexes his narrow mind,but why not debate the issue instead of the bitter, hissy schoolgirl rants"
Anyone spot the irony ?
RS
Perhaps you'd like to join the British Army and reform it from within
'You're a long way from that description.'
Indeed as im the singular version.
. 'The Irish have a long and honourable history of taking His/Her Majesty's shilling and fighting for Blighty. God bless them all.'
Long maybe, honourable? Perhaps in WW 1 and 2. But Britain has been involved in many more little scraps than that, to say nothing of the british crown forces record here in Ireland.
In fairness this is a decent post and deserves to be engaged with.
It is true that many more Irishmen have fought for the Crown than fought against it.
I think you'd find that in most cases of occupation - people take the easiest path.
Of course if the example posed by the men Andrew is glorifying was followed comprehensively, the Republic of Ireland wouldnt exist and Ireland in totality would still be part of the United Kingdom.
Its an interesting post RS - why did you choose to hijack comments with bizarre allegations about homosexuality etc? As I said, pathetic
'Perhaps you'd like to join the British Army and reform it from within'
Nah, being well aware of the pain Britain has wrought on Ireland, I fail to see why anyone who would describe himself as Irish would wish to join an army with such a tainted history. Plus, Ive had me fair share of blisters at this stage.
Andy
You're quite right. It is a good post, and the way to fight an idea you disagree with is to come up with a better idea.
Cheers
Time to log off
The British armed forces actually always recruited indirectly in RoI, through ads in British newspapers, and even comics, as I remember reading as a lad. Pre-troubles, many young guys - often just past puberty - used to head off to join the Br. Army or RAF, and nobody thought anything of it.
Ireland and Britain have of course got a special arrangement re. reciprocal citizenship going. But what of other nationals? Can anyone from any country join the British Army without renouncing his birth nationality? What about the police force - is that also open to all?
In several European countries only nationals can become coppers.
Why is homosexuality bizarre? Plus I didn't alledge anything, merely posed a question.
I may be wrong but Im gettin the whiff of sock-puppetry on here....
RS -
If you don't mind, Crown forces have been involved in many great scraps, and Irishmen were involved in most of'em. God bless them all.
I get the feeling Pete you yearn for the days of Empire.....
You clearly think its bizarre as you were blatantly using it as part of an ad hominem smear.
How do I think its bizarre? You used that word not I. I merely posed a question. Do you need me to run you through the comments ?
'I get the feeling Pete you yearn for the days of Empire.....'
LOl Pete and RS, I must agree with this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOhXpmozpbE
pete, I always think of you being like Alf Garnett.
The post is about Irish men joining the British Army.- why in your 10.53 did you ask the author if he preferred men? What relevance does that have to the post? Looks like an ad hominem to me. In line with your posts at 10.16 and 10.44
Is Pete Moore a West Ham fan ?
Noel Cunningham -
Recruits don't renounce their nationality. Since the Armed forces are Crown forces, they're counted as colonials. There are plenty of Ghurkas, Jamaicans, Fijians, Aussies, Jaapies, Kiwis and Ghanaians serving who keep their nationality.
Colm -
Pah! I'm a Gooner.
Jaapies ?
Jaapies ?
LOL Sounds like nappies.
Nope!! If I captured enemy combatants I'd just have to put the boot in
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 10:17PM | Andrew McCann
But only after some one else fitted them with hand cuffs and leg irons
As Alf Garnett might say.. "only poofs from Islington support the Arsenal" :)
Jaapies = Sef Efricans.
Pinky -
You might be onto something with Alf Garnett. And hi scouse git son in law reminds me of a few around here ...
And hi scouse git son in law reminds me of a few around here ...
Well if we put him in a frock, I suppose! :-)
Ulsterbright I merely asked a question. Now in your first post your cried about me not adressing the issue of the thread. Now after 4 posts you still have not done so either. Irony indeed.
Paul McMahon -
Thanks for the reminder to look up the reference to the motto:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faugh_A_Ballagh
"It remains the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment today.
"It was adopted due to the blood curdling battle-cry of Sergeant Patrick Masterson as he tore into the French ranks, with Ensign Keogh, to capture the first French Imperial Eagle to be taken in battle - during the Battle of Barossa.
"He was then heard to cry 'Be Jabers Boys! I have the Cuckoo!' as he held it triumphantly aloft to rouse the spirits of his men."
Barossa eh? That'll be the Peninsular War under the Duke of O'Wellington.
By crikey, how an Irish heart must leap at the thought of such heroic Redcoats.
Have you addressed the post? You "merely" asked a question - really? What relevance does your "question" have? Forgive me if speculating on an author's sexuality is remotely integral to a post on Irish men joining the army and not an ad hominem attack on the back of two previous attacks
Make that 5....
'Forgive me if speculating on an author's sexuality is remotely integral to a post on Irish men joining the army and not an ad hominem attack on the back of two previous attacks'
:-)
>>if the butchered and bastardised motto above is used as a reference.<<
And notice how they even took the UDA motto for their badge!
And Im awaiting your commentary on this post that doesn't involve smearing the author...
So you don't read the posts. I refer you to mine at 11:14PM and at 11:18PM.
Oh and thats 6.....