TAKING THE DANEGELD
I have long looked upon the leadership of the Apprentice Boys as spineless wimps and so am not in the least surprised to therefore read that they have welcomed with sweaty and grasping hands the Government of the Irish Republic's decision to fund over half the cost of this year's Maiden City Festival in Londonderry.
The festival had become a staple of the summer events calendar until 2006 when it was cancelled due to funding problems. But it emerged last night that the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has donated £27,000 towards staging the event, scheduled to take place from August 2 to August 9. Without this foreign money, the Apprentice Boys would not have their day out.
Little house-trained tame monkeys. Don't they realise that in taking the cash from Dublin, they further undermine their claims to uphold our British identity? Do they REALLY think that this money comes with no strings attached? The leadership of the Apprentice Boys is SO awful, so brainless, so weak, that it goes beyond parody. They need not bother burning the effigy of Lundy any longer when their ranks are now full of his spiritual heirs....
David Vance
13 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Reader Comments (13)
David the fact that the British govt didn't supply this money means they probably don't view it as British heritage or culture at all. Indeed they probably view it as part of Irelands culture.
RS,
Wouldn;t disagree nor do I apportion any blame to republicans or the Irish govt. It's the jellyfish that lead the AB's that I view with contempt.
David,
But we are all European now! If NI became part of the Republic tomorrow the only difference would be the Euro and cheaper fuel.
I actually think that the Apprentice Boys should be congratulated for their open mindedness.
P.S. I got the book. Have you received the PayPal payment?
Matt,
Yes indeed - and many thanks! Hope you can get through it all - have a stiff whisky at hand!!
I agree on the fuel issue with you, the Irish Govt is not as greedy as the loathsome UK one. I am sure many Apprentice Boys nip across the border to get their cheap fuel btw!
I fail to see how it can be anything other than good news that a nationalist government in Dublin is willing to fund a part of unionist culture. Of course it's not going to make any unionist want a united Ireland but it must be at least reassuring to know the if there is to be an all-Ireland state that cultural events like the Maiden City Festival will be supported.
They would be parading with or without money from the Republic. Parades elsewhere dont get any money say in Glasgow or Liverpool. This money is for other Festival type events including items such as a Foyle Ulster Scots cruise? and "Balkan Alien Sound"- Eastern European and Turkish dancers?? and a variety show!
Surely just drop the silly festival and concentrate on the parade! Of course many Brit haters have been kept from cradle to future grave by the "wicked" British- Whose paying Martys and Gerrys wages now! So it works both ways!
The taxpayers, which include many Irish Republicans and Irish Nationalists, are paying Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness's wages.
If you think whats collected from Irish Nationalists and Republicans is enough to keep them and others in Stormont grandeur youre sadly mistaken, and have never seen the books! The Republic couldnt afford Northern Ireland!
And you are basing this on what evidence?
Age old sectarian 'evidence'
The Republic may not have been able to afford NI in the past but it could now as the security bill is a lot less.
Nevertheless, the majority of people in NI carry on with their daily lives unhindered. This is what matters.
"The Republic could afford NI"!!! The annual "subvention" support from central government for Northern Ireland is £6,000,000,000, the highest per capita in Europe! No country of only 4 million people could afford to take that on , its difficult enough for a nation of 60 million. The increased tax demands on individuals would be astronomical and they would revolt! But then they only really want a United Ireland as long as Britain and Europe will pay for it!
Let the Russians have N.I. They've got loads of spare cash sloshing around.