Hello folks! Another listener from NI here, actually from L'Derry/The Maiden City/Stroke City. Couldn't give a crap about the politics of the name personally, I just wish they'd sort it out so it wasn't an issue.

Anyhow, I've been listening to RP for quite a while now but for some reason never strayed into the non-song forums.

Yes Scott, I understand that, however you need to be clear that times have changed and we now live in a different time and place with related implications. Crystal?  

Just so we're clear, the city's name was Derry for a long time before somebody decided Londonderry was a good idea. And they didn't put that to a vote.

.....

I'll always be extremely proud of my Ulster Scots heritage, but having lived in the South for four
years now, the way I view the country has changed from antipathy a couple of decades ago,
to intrigued fascination more recently, to a deep love of the place and people currently.

I'm more convinced now than I ever was, that as human beings, we have more that unites us,
than divides us.  

lol, I was wondering how long it would take.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong Badcmpny, but I thought that the only
name that changed was the name of the council from Londonderry
Council to Derry Council and the name of the city and county
remains the same as LONDONDERRY.

Lets not confuse the tourists, though maybe its too late for that!

Wikipedia (if its correct) cites a High Court case in 2006 where the Royal
Charter naming the city Londonderry was upheld.

I'm sure we'd both like lots of things to be different in the province
though, with respect, I'd say that altering the facts helps no one
and no cause.....certainly not community relations.  

I do agree with ya on the 'rip-off Republic' though. Its been fun seeing
US friends visiting here, go pale when they go to the tills in shops or pubs.

While I'm still exploring the twenty-six southern counties and don't know the country that well yet,
I'd suggest that if people have the time, they should do North and South.
The South does have a well developed capacity for removing dollars from passing tourists and
some practices are so blatant its shocking, but every part of the Republic is extremely rich
with history and I think there are useful contrasts to be seen between places and peoples
in all four corners of the island.    

I'll always be extremely proud of my Ulster Scots heritage, but having lived in the South for four
years now, the way I view the country has changed from antipathy a couple of decades ago,
to intrigued fascination more recently, to a deep love of the place and people currently.

I'm more convinced now than I ever was, that as human beings, we have more that unites us,
than divides us.  

Where is this Londonwhatsit? on the North coast Mike?  I am familiar with most of Ireland and the North West in particular and I would highly rec. tourists to skip the usual SW crammed over-rated haunts and head up there.  The 'welcome on the mat' is by-and-large more heartfelt than the celtic tiger drowning-in-the-bag rip-off that is the South.

Northern Ireland... an occupied colony of the most evil empire since the Roman Empire. 

(just my humble opinion)

Zipper.......you wouldn't be an English teacher by any chance would you?  Ever been to Ballymoney? Renowed for being 'careful with money' and have an almost impenetrable accent, even for people like me whose formative years were spent only six miles down the road!

Janis........yup, the West is a trip. Not explored it enough yet. Been working too hard since I arrived here. Looks like there's a good chance we'll get a good summer this year, so if you're coming back, your timing might be good. Cause I lived on the coast most of my life, I am a bit coastally biased and I'd advise, if you're gonna come to N.Ireland, driving the coastal route from the border around Newry up to Belfast, then taking the coast road from Belfast up to Londonderry is the way to go. I regard the inland part of N.Ireland as 'fly over' country, but of
course anyone from that neck of the woods would take issue!   To be honest, apart from some sublteties, every time I go back up North, the differences between the two countries seem to become less and less.

Anyways, if anyone is planning to visit and wants some suggestions of 'must sees'....just ask.

Hobiejoe.....fab avatar man......only small boat sailing I've done is with lasers, but even they can fly once you get them up on the plane. Will definitely do some small cat sailing soon as I get the time. Luckily Royal Cork is just a few miles away and Cork harbour is a fantastic sailing venue.....lotsa wind, but sheltered.

Forgot to mention.....should anyone be coming to Cork, I'd be happy to help ya with stuff to do and see. Been here four years now and know the place reasonably well, though of course, as stated in the Irish Toutist Board website  is a major pastime here!

Evenso.......the Jameson's distillery is in a small town called Middleton, about twenty minutes drive from Cork and its the local whiskey and still going strong!

nothing....YET.  But just in case, ya know????

Manbird, no robbing of any kind of stores.  I don't want to post bail for the loser.....and I won't damn it!!!

Sorry for the confusion.........originally from the north coast of Northern Ireland.....
....currently living in Cork.....on the south coast of Southern Ireland.....hows that
for symmetry? Also, lived in the lower forty eight and picked up some dubious
vocal mannerisms...yeh, like y'all

. . . . who likes to conga, can fix my car, drive me to the airport, pick me up from the airport, and likes to sleep in but will bring me breakfast in bed, will dress in disguises with me and ding dong ditch the neighbors.   That's all.