Northern Ireland


I think before opening his mouth (in the book I think it was at the Saint Vincent de Paul Society when Angela went to aks for the dole) people knew Frank's dad was from Northern Ireland just by listening to the last name/surname? How is it?


I've read that people from both Irelands don't have virtually any contact and that they refer to each other as people "from the other community", is it true?

Do people from the North and the South still hold some I don't know how to call it resentment, hatred, dislike to the other?

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With regards to the name, many names are local in the sense that you will find certain surnames to appear prominantly in one particular area. Therefore, the names most commonly found in say, Cork, you won't find many people with that name in say Belfast.
Where did you hear that Northern/Southern Ireland have little contact? In the period that this was set, yes there was not much north/south cooperation, but in todays society- politically, economically and socially the two Irelands have alot of contact for mutual benefit. Even though it is two politically different countries, geographically it is still the one small island so it was deemed necessary that linking up where possible was a great idea. Even in sports, Ireland has only one rugby time(comprising members both north and south).
However, there is still a little distrust/resentment to be found regarding North/South relations, many people in the Republic wish to have no linkage to Northern Ireland for the sole reason that they do not want to get involved in the troubles that have/currently plague Northern Ireland. Originally, the Republic's constitution laid claim to Northern Ireland and deemed trying to reunite the country as a prority, in the last few years however this rule has been recinded. In Northern Ireland, opinions of the south are divided. Almost half(but this figure is gradually decreasing due to current financial situation in Republic)hope to see the day where the island is reunited. However there is still a significant percentage that wish to retain links with Britain, solely for economic benefit rather than any resentment etc to the south.

Kelso:Ted, have you noticed how happy all the minions are lately?
Ted: I wish I was dead.

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thats now dude, ireland back then is a complete different story. this was in the troubles, when the irelands just split countries an religions. they've grown some heart over the years

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