A Catholic Majority In NI Is A Problem For Unionism!

Following the latest census data, Northern Ireland now is majority Catholic, but what does that mean for Unionism and a United Ireland?
Correction: Nine counties in Ulster.
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#brexit
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[@MaximilienRobespierre1]

Correction: There are nine counties in Ulster, six in Northern Ireland.

[@liamc9140]

True, but Unionists/loyalist refer to the 6 counties as Ulster bit like referring to themselves as British in Ireland couldn't make them up

[@williampatrickfagan7590]

He was referring to the 6 occupied counties. Everyone knows that there 9 counties in Ulster. I'm sure British children are thought about rhe history and it's inception. The way Churchill, Boner Law Carson carved the province to ensure a Permanent Protestant majority by sundering the province in 2.

[@MarvinofMars]

In the Unionists Era of Northern Ireland very few understood the four provinces. I had conversations they thought i was jesting with there existence of Munster, Conancht and Leinester. The simpy thought these are Rudgy teams.

[@williampatrickfagan7590]

@@MarvinofMars To quote a tennis player, You cannot be serious man. 'Nough said

[@jounik]

The irony in the situation being that the three other counties were carved out *specifically* to ensure a permanent protestant majority in what became the NI.

[@Soldknight324]

As a protestant from East Belfast, even if you were hardline loyalist - If there's anything Brexit has taught us is that we need to sit down and have a serious discussion about what a united Ireland would look like. It seems like the DUP doesn't have that foresight, and it's a shame.

[@PlayingGilly]

Indeed, as someone who lives in the Republic we here also need to show that an united Ireland is not a threat to unionists.

[@williampatrickfagan7590]

Suggest you read a book called Making sense of a UNITED IRELAND Should it happen, How might it happen. Brendam O Leary author. he is a Professor of politics in an American University. He predicts it in 10 years.

[@seanfallon4580]

Its not that they dont have the foresight they dont want to have it and i dont think they ever will which is a real shame as i dont think the tories give a damm about Northern Ireland or Scotland for that matter

[@patrickokeeffe539]

I still do not understand why the DUP supported Brexit???? I taught this question was 10-20 years away. Now thanks to Brexit and the DUP. It is here now and not going away.

[@ejs7738]

@@patrickokeeffe539 They thought that Brexit was the miracle that they had been waiting for. They believed that Brexit would push NI further away from the South and firmly tie it to the UK.

[@John_259]

"Not much change here," said the frog as the water temperature rose by one degree.

[@mandycouchbean]

The DUP , 1690 Politics in the 21st Century !

[@nigelmurphy6761]

Yep. Pretty much.

[@martincopeland8153]

Didn’t that Orange Billy character cross the Channel in a small boat?

[@jackdunn3235]

Sums it up perfectly 👍👍👍

[@richardjakobek7477]

@@martincopeland8153 Not exactly a small boat, but 463 ships and 40,000 troops. Yet people like to say that England hasn’t been invaded since 1066.

[@EGF1000]

Time for a united Ireland

[@geeksworkshop]

Free Ireland! 🇮🇪

[@GiacomoLockhart]

From itself? Or hadn't you heard? the Republic of Ireland already governs itself. Perhaps you have been asleep for 100 years, Rip Van Winkle. Doh.

[@StephenParker-uv9yi]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@geeksworkshop]

@@GiacomoLockhart Sure it's not separated at all, and Scotland is part of England.

[@derekmulready1523]

The 6 Counties off Northern Ireland is not Ulster. 🇮🇪🇪🇺

[@grahamthomson6969]

Anyone who cares, knows that.

[@gerardflynn3899]

It's only 2 thirds of Ulster 🇮🇪🇪🇺

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

And 3 counties of those have been majority catholic for a long time.

[@mike_oflynn]

@@SirAntoniousBlock precisely why NI was designed as it was. Amazing the number of people who refer to NI as Ulster though. I notice it a lot with British army people, almost as though they are trained to this narrative.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@mike_oflynn Yeah, same as they refer to Derry as (London)Derry, not really their faults it's the way they were taught.

[@victorbeauvois]

UNITED IRELAND COMING SOON ❗ AND A INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND

[@christal2641]

🇮🇪 🕊️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 England used Scots to control the Irish, just like the plantation owners in the American Confederacy used poor, landless white men as overseers to control the enslaved population.

[@GiacomoLockhart]

AND BOTH BECOME FAILED STATES WHEN THEY REALISE THEY CAN'T SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN. NICE ONE, VICTOR!

[@BobbyGardiner-zt5zp]

And England ie London

[@maltesetony9030]

Loyalism's days are numbered. Face facts, & let's get Ireland united peacefully.

[@michaelhalsall5684]

Peacefully united!

[@GiacomoLockhart]

Unionism is here to stay. No-one in their r4ight mind wants to be part of a Marxist Sinn Fein Republic. So - face facts and let Norther Ireland remain peacefully in the Union, as the majority still want.

[@maltesetony9030]

@@GiacomoLockhart An artificial majority in an artificially-created, rigged state is no real majority at all. The Six Counties' days are indeed numbered.

[@GiacomoLockhart]

@@maltesetony9030 - Thanks, artificial Tony for telling us that the voting statistics, which are real enough to elect a Parliament, are "artificial". But, let's face it, the real artificiality is entirely yours. You are dwelling in fantasyland. Or perhaps I should say "artificial" land? If the Republic is about to try and swallow up the 6 Counties of the UK Province of Northern Ireland in an imperialist, colonialist take-over, as you and your fellow republican nationalist colonialists would like then, yes, I agree, their days would be numbered. Happily, however, that's not going to happen. The people of Northern Ireland don't want it and - let's be honest, neither does the government of the Republic. Only deluded fools like you want it. I hate to disappoint you but it's not going to happen. Get used to it. Get over it. But thanks for playing. Game over, You lost. Have a nice day!

[@maltesetony9030]

@@GiacomoLockhart Famous last words, sunshine. You're on the wrong side of history - & you know it. Bye-bye "Northern Ireland"; hello a 32-county socialist republic. The demographics alone will see to that.

[@liamg6596]

Old saying in northern Ireland " if u can't beat them out breed them out " seems to be coming true

[@ciarand2823]

They're all at it like catholics 😅

[@steviekenny581]

Wee rosey cheeked alky bum Sammy and the wheelie bin stage man wee Jamie B better start brushingup on the Soldiers Song!🤷‍♂️ IN GAELIC!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🇮🇪

[@ElvisPresleyTouchedMe]

1st time since the foundation of NI in 1922, not 1st time in history. Catholics were majority before all the colonialist land stealing during the Plantations.

[@michaelfox860]

Ethnic cleansing of the native (Catholic) Irish population during this period..............!!!

[@liammalarky3483]

The NI as created by the partition has evolved. I think the Unionists have slowly begun to realise that Westminster doesn't see them as important as they see themselves. Westminster will cling on to them as long as politically expedient but they really don't give two shits about them. The rest of NI, for the most part, realised this a long time ago and have moved on.

[@dazzwsmith]

its the same with scotland, wales and to a lesser extent, the north of england. they dont care.

[@beaglaoich4418]

In fairness I think deep down unionism has always known they’ve to fight Whitehall as much as nationalism for their place in the union, especially with a Tory government betraying them for a literal century whilst the non conservative parties tend to be somewhat apathetic to their status

[@chrissaltmarsh6777]

When asked, 20% did not identify with any religion. The headline number is 'what religion were you brought up in'. That shows how times are changing. A good job too, as far as this atheist, English, Edinburgh SNP member is concerned.

[@davidty2006]

Theres litterally zero point of religion these days.... With the exception of nice looking buildings but those are way too rare these days...

[@lorenzobianchini4415]

@@davidty2006 That is far from true.Catholic Christianity is very much alive.All to the good.I support a United Ireland and an independent Scotland.Catholics there is hope for a better future....

[@nerrler5574]

@@lorenzobianchini4415 cool, cool, but you didn't give a point for religion being needed in a modern society.

[@lorenzobianchini4415]

@@nerrler5574 The point is Catholics were a suppressed minority because they were Catholics and now Protestants are no longer in a position to suppress Catholics which all to the good.That you see no point in Christianity is because you don't understand why it exists.

[@tomtomftube]

Smug atheism is just as a dangerous ideology as fundamentalist religion, there is nothing wrong with people being religious be it Christianity , Islamic, Buddhist etc. live and let live

[@inquisitor229]

Yet again when faced with stark reality the DUP closes it's eyes, covers it's ears and pretends it will all go away if they pray for it hard enough.

[@derry3344ii]

Let's get back into the European Union 👍

[@3dagedesign]

As a Scot, raised witnessing annual Orange Lodge marches, and perpetual sectarian violence, I would be be really happy to see an end to religious/political/footbal/tribalism, but it's deeply rooted in some communities, and a few people will not change. hopefully those ideologies will eventiually die out.

[@christopheroshea9799]

as an Irish citizen in the republic , the football nationalism is more real than anything else , rugby brings all four nations together and there's never tribalism , one day unity will come

[@roisinmalone3015]

Sectarianism will thrive in Northern Ireland as long as Northern Ireland is in the Union. The Union is a sectarian entity.

[@tomtomftube]

@@christopheroshea9799 oh fuck off about rugby , GAA is irish , when I see irish rugby I think of the julius ceaser comment after rome invaded britain , once he observed that the native british started to wear togas and adopted roman customs he said "now I know the britons are truly conquered" That reminds me of Irish people being obessed with rugby , it was brought here by the british army.Also if you transpose a map of Ireland from the 14h century and you see which areas were controlled by england and not under Gaelic Irish control it is nearly identical to the areas were rugby is popular today . the munster and leinster plantations were quite successful . Ulster and Connacht were the most Gaelic , ulster being the most rebellious , yet people in the south have the cheek to call ulster Gaels nothern irish and british, fuck off with your rugby and cricket

[@kris662]

I grew up Irish Catholic in a mixed town stuck between a majority catholic and a town full of lodges. There tribalism is stuck in the 1600s. Sooner people realise they can still march and celebrate the good old days the better because Scotland or Ireland will be free doesn't mean they will take ur identity away. Same way Americans etc still celebrate being from Scottish, Irish, Italian or Mexican descent

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@kris662 There are Orange Lodges in the Republic of Ireland and marches and there isn't any hassle

[@thewexican1095]

Look at the Irish rugby team Catholic or protestant they don't give a shit, together stronger, die for one another and makes me proud to be Irish, Irish football and the northern Irish football team separated both weak but together might actually get somewhere!

[@tomtomftube]

nothing to do with religion , they are west brits

[@Oluinneachain]

@@tomtomftube 😂. Would you repeat that in Garryowen?

[@bikeman9899]

Good point. Same all ireland approach works in golf, field hockey, sailing and a bunch of other sports. Soccer seems to fall into the trap of tribalism. Cultural factors at play I suppose.

[@jponeill2151]

The last polls I saw indicated that many formally unionist protestants were now in the reunification camp. Mostly as they felt betrayed by Boris and the Tories. I don't think that situation has improved much.

[@DavidWilliams-DSW558]

Why would they be formally unionist? Or might they actually be formerly unionist protestants?

[@smc2406]

They did their very best throughout nirelands history through sectarian bigotry, discrimination ,and even murder to try to stop this happening! But it has happened thank god 🇨🇮🙂

[@radiosnail]

Aye,and yer side killed plenty of Brits and Prods too nigh. But I expect tae ye that was justified?

[@smc2406]

@@radiosnail read the books history my friend

[@radiosnail]

@@smc2406 Yes my "friend" I've read the books. Are you telling me your side (IE theIRA ) did not kill Protestants and Brits? Or are you saying you did and it was justified. Come on, have the courage of your convictions.

[@smc2406]

@@radiosnail my side ? Your assuming im a supporting the IRA , innocent people were killed on both sides ,but I firmly believe if our island had not been planted by foreigner invaders and our lands seized fully supported by the might the british establishment their would have been peace ,because my friend the irish are a peace loving people 🇨🇮🙂

[@radiosnail]

@@smc2406 Yes, I'm really feeling the love from you. But when you say innocent people, I'm presuming you feel the IRA killed people who deserved to die? I am not proud of my country's histroy in your island and notwithstanding history ,"my friend" we should have left the whole island instead of hanging onto the accursed six counties. My country has no strategic interest in Ulster. The sooner we get out, the better. The angry protestants will be your problem then. (After all, if Britain helped, that would be "interference". You need to convince enough Unionists to come over to your side.

[@jamesdonaghy3104]

Ireland United and free a dream of hundreds of years is now with in sight 😁

[@GiacomoLockhart]

Try living in the 21st century, not hundreds of years ago.

[@GiacomoLockhart]

@@jamesdonaghy3104 - You prove my point: you are a bigoted and ignorant relic of the past. And now you want a colonialist-imperialist take-over of Northern Ireland by a foreign country i.e. the Republic. The people of Northern Ireland do not want it so - take your colonialist dreams of annexation and go. We don't want it or you. Bye, bye.

[@jamesdonaghy3104]

I will begin to live in the 21century when this bastion of bigotry and ignorance is dragged kicking and screaming from the 17century mind set of many of the people 😁

[@jamesdonaghy3104]

@@GiacomoLockhart 😂😂and just how do you think this northern Ireland was formed was it based on equality for all fairness for all you can howl at the moon a united Ireland is comeing like it or not

[@GiacomoLockhart]

@@jamesdonaghy3104 - If you believe that the Republic of Ireland is going to swallow up a part of another country just because you think so, then you are an even bigger fool than I first thought. If anyone is howling at the moon it is crazy Fascists like you. Since you are clearly equally as ignorant of history, let me help you: Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom because its people wanted to. See how that works, Mr Fascist? It's a funny thing called "democracy". You Fascists aren't much good at that, are you? Northern Ireland is in a different country and part of the United Kingdom and that's how it will stay. Fact. Get used to it. Get over it.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

Ireland's population was estimated at over 8 million in 1840 before the famine, it then shrunk to around 2 million the following decades due to death and immigration resulting from it, it's estimated that there are about 80 million people worldwide of direct Irish decent, there's Britains negative global image right there.

[@RoryMonaghan]

The population of the entirety of Ireland was 8.5 million though, including the North. I’m open to correction but I don’t believe the entirety of Ireland’s population fell to 2 million post famine. We tend to overlook the fact before the formation of the free state, our census was combined. The lowest it fell to was 4.2 million during the war of Independence. The depopulation through death and emigration during the famine was disproportionately experienced outside of the North. Most proportionally from the west. By 1855 2 million had emigrated and by 1851 over 1 million had died.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@RoryMonaghan Indeed 2 million seems a very low estimate but the approximations are 6 million migrated up to 1900 so 8-6 =2 Then the population must've been even higher possibly near 9! 😲 4.2 million do you mean the whole island?

[@johncahalane7327]

In 1841 Census alone the population of Co Cork the largest county was one million, in the 2022 Census the population is increased from less than 200,000 in the 1970s to 500,000 still nowhere near the 1841 number....

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@johncahalane7327 It's astonishing to think that the Irish population was much higher nearly 200 years ago.

[@bumblingborisbuffoon6259]

N. Ireland was imagined and implemented by the British ( against the majority in Ireland at the time ) to keep Protestant people superior in number to their Catholic neighbours by about 2 to 1. The “ partition “ was created to suit the 2/3 Protestant population, by a crudely drawn up border ensuring a Catholic minority. The reason was to allow the British to keep a perpetual foothold in Ireland. The recent elections delivering, a Sinn Fein largest party, and the census showing a Catholic majority, are clear signs of the direction N. Ireland is heading. After 100 years that Partition is coming to an end, and the reunification of Ireland is inevitable.

[@StephenParker-uv9yi]

😂😂😂😂

[@JosephStJames2000]

This most definitely is not the first time there has been a Catholic majority in the north of Ireland. Catholicism was here before the English and will be here after the English.

[@timelwell7002]

Since when did the DUP look after the interests of the whole of Northern Ireland? They are partisan to the Nth degree, and have zero interest in representing the interests of anyone of opposing views to their own, let alone representing the interests of anyone from the Catholic community. Thankfully, the DUP and the other unionist parties are not the only show in town. Not any more - thank God.

[@johnrussell3961]

Soon it will be difficult to argue there is no demand for a unification vote.

[@andunabu3238]

It’s coming and can’t be stopped now. Thank God for the Irish Sea! I feel for the Welsh and Scots being ‘tied’ by land to this delinquent English state.

[@tonysegadelli9421]

As an Englishman I'd be very happy to see a united Ireland

[@GiacomoLockhart]

That'll be the famous Lancashire family of Segadelli, right?

[@colinthompson3111]

I really enjoy when Max covers NI politics and the Republic of Ireland politics. Thanks Max!

[@margaretmcnamee6411]

I think we can predict that Ireland will unite in the next 10 years.

[@amcc5887]

I think sooner, a lot sooner

[@imastaycool]

Much sooner.

[@imastaycool]

When Ireland *reunites* Ireland was united in many ways before the Norman/British invasion of the 1100s. 1. Ireland was united before the coming of the Brits/Normans in 1169 as we had one law for the whole island i.e. Brehon Law. This particular law was in place for 1000 years and was first set down on parchment in the 7th century. This law was operational in Ireland until the completion of the English conquest of Ireland in the early 17th century. Brehon Law is seen today as very advanced for that time. Brehon Law is hugely important and not to be overlooked as insignificant. Brehon Law was very advanced for that era and was even in use right up until the 17th century before the Brits took hold. 2. The whole island was united linguistically as we all spoke Archaic/Old Irish. The Irish language is around since the Bronze Age and is about 2,500 years old. We all shared the Irish language so were linguistically entwined. 3. We were united both culturally and socially, too all the while operating under one law. One's culture is based firmly around many different parts of everyday life and pre-Norman invasion, Gaelic Irish style of dress, music, dance, sport, social gathering, architecture, and art was nationwide. We had unity albeit political unity, but where and when, even today, has politics ever been united!? Are the folks in Westminster united? Are the folks in the Dáil Éireann united? I think not. The truth is the British invasion destroyed our laws and language therefore creating division - the invasion tried to divide the people and successfully partitioned the island. Ireland was united in many ways before the British arrived and will be reunified when Britain leaves.

[@beaglaoich4418]

@@imastaycool I love your optimism but I do not think it is so assured

[@imastaycool]

@@beaglaoich4418 it's not about optimism, it's based on facts of the island and where it is politically, socially, economically and demographically. It's happening.

[@sirmeowthelibrarycat]

🤔 Max, I believe that the 1922 Settlement of Northern Ireland includes the option of a referendum on Irish reunification once the the balance between the Protestant and Roman Catholic was c.50% - 50%. If the current census is accurate, then such a referendum should take place. I hope to live long enough for that to happen and Ireland 🇮🇪 be one state again.

[@gerardmccartney3186]

The Belfast Agreement of 1998 is 50% plus one vote.

[@roisinmalone3015]

We need a proper plan first

[@GiacomoLockhart]

The majority of people in Northern Ireland want to remain in the Union. Fact. Get used to it. The Republic is a foreign country and has no right to dictate to the Province or to try to take it over. That is pure colonialism by the Republic.

[@michaelkavanagh5947]

Demographics never lie.

[@pauljosephbuggle3722]

I can only imagine that many of the Catholics censored are still below voting age. Unionism in the DUP anti-bigotry format is a dying duck. However, I take issue as an Irishman that the future of NI is a question for the people of NI. I believe that the future of Ireland is for all the people of the island notwithstanding the current standing of the situation. That the UK takes itself as some kind of arbiter over Ireland and Irish affairs is a colonialist assumption which fails to recognise that it has been English nationalism and political fabricated powerplays amongst the people of Ireland which is the cause of all the problems. I refuse to accept that Liz Truss has any right to interfere in NI or make any executive decision over and above the will of the Irish people as a whole.

[@marakinane2097]

Totally agree. I feel exactly the same about their interference in Scotland too. after all we are an union of equals!

[@teresawilcox8737]

Agree totally, have felt that the Westminster position is an obstacle to getting a peaceful and cooperative solution to what is required. So pleased that EU support a peaceful settlement, what a contrast to the Tories, and the bigotry that seems to be engendered by the DUP.

[@fredericrike5974]

The Republic's Taoiseach, Leo Varadcar, has said that the time will come but it isn't just now. But he also seemed much of the opinion that the two sides would have to meet on common grounds. the possibility is there in many possible futures. Better futures and buried pasts- FR

[@roisinmalone3015]

​@@fredericrike5974 Varadkar has been irresponsible re this issue. There needs to be discussion and a feasible plan and now because Ireland has no control over when a border poll happens. Many in Ireland, experts in constitutional law, social scientists etc believe that it is wreckless not to start planning now. eg, South Korea has had a ministry dedicated to Korean unification for the past 20 years

[@fredericrike5974]

@@roisinmalone3015 From where I am, your Varadkar hasn't appeared irresponsible at all- but I am an "unwashed colonial boy" from the far other side of the pond and I don't hide it. More, it sounds to me, that on the main, much of the Republic wants that unity also- but their continue to be rightly worried about the "leakage" into the Republic of the violence between the Northern Irish factions- itself an outgrowth of the first Elizabeth's continuation of her grand father's initiative. None of that to my mind wants going fast or quickly- it wasn't so long ago that Ireland was beset by racking drug problems- one of your leading journalists was murdered for writing about it- yet you solved it without the "hard boys" that four hundred years of the squeeze the British Crown put on you. I suspect Varadkar are doing some of that- I think they would like for it to go much better than Germany's reunification, IIRC. But what does a retired , stateside plumber know or care, you say? Only as much as he wants too! FR

[@nicks4934]

There is no benefit for being in the Union.

[@GuntherSDoumson2178]

The European has a future, the Kingdom doesn´t...

[@amcc5887]

Terrific content max, thanx for sharing, Andrew, from Ireland 🇮🇪🍀

[@imSatnav]

Perhaps the biggest threat to the Union is possibly the growth in the number of people who don't identify as either Catholic or Protestant. People who could see many non sectarian reasons for a united Ireland.

[@gerardflynn3899]

Actually the biggest threat to the union is Brexit.

[@pjmcgoldrick1967]

We knew this day was coming, and now that is has, we need to have a conversation. The idea that Ireland can’t afford NI is a nonsense. We could replace the £10bn British subvention easily. Irish economist David McWilliams is probably tired of telling us how readily it could and would be done. The question is: do we in the Republic want to? I would certainly hope so. My grandfather, and thousands of other grandfathers and great-grandfathers took up arms for the dream. The Empire is dead, the UK is in its death throes. Who else have the new minority got to talk to? I’m happy to reach out. 🇮🇪🇪🇺🇮🇪

[@radiosnail]

THe UK isn't quite done yet. Even if it does break apart, unless you Celts can arrange the genocide of we English, we'll still be around. Hopefully once we've put the Brexit traitors back in their box, we'll rejoin the EU and whilst be somewhat annoying, also be quite useful and constructive.

[@nigelmurphy6761]

This is indeed incredibly significant but it's something that was always going to happen at some point. 🇮🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺👍

[@boxtradums0073]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 independence brings the inevitability

[@patricklynch6547]

We have a long way to go, hopefully it can happen in my lifetime.

[@lorrygoth]

A swift end to the rotting corpse of the Empire, one united Ireland!

[@fionnmcaleer4830]

They created "the north of Ireland" out of thin air because Ulster would have a Nationalist majority. The north did not exist before the UK created it to suit their agenda and suit their wishes. Places like this will never last, in say a hundred years our descendants will learn that NI was a strange place created by a waning colonial power trying to hang on to power and influence.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

Free Ireland, Free Scotland, Free Wales!

[@conorflynn6666]

Free Kernow

[@anthonyduffy1278]

Free Willy

[@NoName-hg6cc]

@@anthonyduffy1278 No, you can keep your "willy" where it is, thank you 😉

[@CommentGuy94]

Census reported more Irish than British citizens in April, religious majority, Sinn Féins win last MLA elections... Northern Ireland is toast and I, for one, cannot wait

[@Dazbog373]

Begs the question is the Republic of Ireland a Catholic Country? The Catholic Church is going through a crisis here and it's influence is becoming as irrelevant as the influence of the monarchy in Britain.

[@christal2641]

There were 2 systemic scandals which lost the moral credibility of the RC: child molestation by RC clergy and the Magdalene Laundries. (Pregnant single women were placed in convents where they were forced to do laundry for the profit of the convent, until such time as their parents came to get them. The Magdalene Laundries have been banned. Today, many "Catholics" don't attend church, even more attend but won't donate to the church. Ireland is now a secular society.

[@jimmcaleenan7243]

I'm Irish European and proud of it unite Ireland now

[@ShadowZero27]

A nation one again

[@Talushallux1]

First signs of push back & waning influence of Protestant England on NI and eventual unification of NI & ROI?

[@PedrSion]

Ulster actually has nine counties. The loyalists only wanted the number of counties that would give them the majority ref population, hence the six counties.

[@lesley-annemclelland857]

Boy the Flat Earth society and dinosaur denial party will be spitting blood over this news won't they?🤔🤣

[@vehx9316]

I think honestly religion is not playing as great a part as it did in the times of the Troubles. But what is important is that Northern Irish are starting to realize that the Tories DOES not care for their best interests.

[@PA3456]

I believe that’s well said I’ve put a comment here about religion and my god I’m being shotdown why we are focusing on religion in 22 it’s about a foreign country on our soil. People still looking at the past and it’s both sides

[@DJWESG1]

It will in the culture wars

[@radiosnail]

TheTories only care for the Rich and those rich don't have to be UK citizens either.

[@roisinmalone3015]

It's not religion, it's the identity that goes with the religion

[@declanoleary1]

Long predicted, remember it being projected back in the late 1980s. Hopefully will contribute to a United Ireland sooner, where all "minorities" are equitably and fairly represented. Modern Ireland, in the EU is a different state than it was in the 1920s and 30s, and is likely to better represent all minorites, than in the UK.

[@didierlemoine6771]

Ask DUP what passport they hv, EU irish passport or british one ?

[@frankoneill5675]

Ian Paisley Jr encouraged his supporters to get an Irish one - ar eagla na heagla

[@roseanne9986]

@@frankoneill5675 Since Britain left the EU, over 200,000 residents of NI applied for an Irish passport to retain the rights of Irish citizens to live and work in the EU.

[@hl6876]

Wow that has taken only 100 years to do this for the situation to change completely

[@raybo64]

Just an important correction, Max. Northern Ireland is not "the six counties of Ulster". It's worse than that. It's six OF the countes of Ulster. There are nine counties in Ulster with the most northerly one, Donegal, not being in Northern Ireland. The so called south is more north than the North. That puts partition into a truly contrived intention to artificially create a statelet based on sectarian lines. And, by God, did it operate on Sectarian lines for almost 50 years before the civil rights mass protests lead into the Hell of "the Troubles". And Truss of the ERG Party and the Tory Party intends to blow the piece up with her dangerous intentions to scrap the Johnson Protocol and, consequently, the Peace Agreement.

[@gerardflynn3899]

Welcome to 2023 they failed.

[@archduke8199]

There is 9 counties in Ulster Max. 3 of them in the Republic. 👍 🇮🇪

[@MaximilienRobespierre1]

Sorry I miss spoke 🤣

[@archduke8199]

No bother, great channel btw.👏

[@JamesBrown-zu8iv]

@ADifferentBias I am sure Phil will hear that as Max Video subject about Chaotic NI of Ulster, (btw was more than) 6 but now presently someone said 9 countries in Ulster.

[@gavintempleton7264]

Correct. Inevitable Scotland and Ireland.

[@didierlemoine6771]

they should make a referendum inte the 6 NI counties to join Ireland or not, certainly 4 wd vote to join :)

[@roisinmalone3015]

That's not in the Good Friday Agreement, and the last thing Ireland needs is more partition.

[@tomtomftube]

1918

[@didierlemoine6771]

@@roisinmalone3015 there wd still be 2 Ireland but a much smaller NI :)

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@didierlemoine6771 Yes, more partition. A different border. Partition has been disastrous for Ireland and that option is not a part of the Good Friday Agreement that was negotiated and agreed to by the vast majority of the people of Ireland who voted for the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement is our path out of conflict. Partition has been disastrous for Ireland North and South.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

The reunification of all of Irish territories is rational, practical and inevitable. Colonialism is a nasty hangover from the past days of feudalism. Ulster was a creation of fundamentalist Puritanism from England and implemented brutally at the point of a gun. They talked about "Grace" and talked about love on one hand, while with the other hand on their triggers, they murdered and oppressed the Irish farmers.

[@diarmuidbuckley6638]

Puritans are for the Pure Anglican church, which is not that central to the issue; it was - and is - the State Church of the Kingdom of England.

[@geovanniali6060]

👌Go raibh maith agut

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

_'The reunification of all of Irish territories is rational, practical and inevitable'_ Natural and desirable.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

@@SirAntoniousBlock Who in his/her/z right mind can disagree. To do so would be going against nature and reason.

[@beaglaoich4418]

@@Zerpentsa6598 I would correct your use of the province of Ulster. It is a much older term that predates the partition and as a person living in Ulster in the south would like to take the opportunity to say that it’s a term I strive to reclaim from being the sole remit of bigoted individuals that deny it has any other meaning than loyalism

[@terjoe6643]

The NHS is an absolute nightmare now and getting worse. The NHS won't exist when the referendum correctly uniting Ireland occurs.

[@Gillemear]

The more interesting statistics are that there is only around a 2.5% gap between those who identify themselves as only Irish (29.3%) and only British (31.9%) while around 19.75% consider themselves Northern Irish. As time goes by the Irish only will increase while the British only will decrease (demography is destiny) but the real battleground will be convincing the Northern Irish identity as to which camp to vote for, unification or union! Whatever the case, a border poll is rapidly approaching and urgently needs planning for, both its running and the aftermath, to avoid a disaster that would make Brexit seem like a tranquil walk in the park. Unfortunately I, sitting here in Dublin, see no evidence of any planning taking place on any side. I just hope it is happening behind the scenes, otherwise we are in for a rough ride on this island (Ireland).

[@rosg1746]

😊

[@roseanne9986]

Planning is taken place, politicians from different backgrounds are touring around Ireland talking about a United Ireland. It’s called Ireland’s Future. They’re having a talk in the 3Arena Saturday the 1st October. Tickets are on sale in ticket master.

[@roisinmalone3015]

I agree re planning. The Seanad opened for submissions from the public re unity recently.

[@mike_oflynn]

I agree. As an Irishman living in the UK, I have noticed that this is a conversation that is not apparent in either country. I’m also not totally convinced that a united Ireland has universal support in the republic either. I guess that the whole subject of economic and political support needs to be presented to deal with any concerns that people, on both sides of the border, might have.

[@beaglaoich4418]

Just to point out there is a large conference in the 3arena on the 1st of October about a United ireland that will have the likes of Varadkar, McDonald and O’Neill in attendance. There are people discussing this issue and we need to actively participate if we want this

[@williampatrickfagan7590]

Max, Peter Robinson begged Unionists to talk.to nationalists about A Reunited Ireland. Saying doing so now, gives them strength. Unionists cannot even boast about being the biggest party in N Ireland. Sinn Fein is. Nor can they boast about being the biggest party elected to Westminster. The day Unionists elected 17 mps to Westminster and Nationalists 1 are long gone. Unionists now elect just 8 mps to Westminster, Nationalists 10.

[@tomlydon3123]

Congrats to the Catholics of NI; your community has successfully raw-dogged more than the Prods. Your hard work has paid off & the world is proud of you.

[@WS-ij1fu]

The policy was called "bonking for the border"

[@aspenade]

@@WS-ij1fuRev Ian Paisley said Catholics "breed like rabbits and multiply like vermin" 🤣🤣🤣

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@WS-ij1fu Bonking for the end of the border.

[@jamieashton3835]

Live to see a united Ireland and the end of the dup

[@firestarter1888]

The fact any country has a religous majority shows how backward and unevolved humanity remains.

[@bipedalame]

Nine counties

[@michaelkenny]

You missed one very important point in all of this Max. Most of the protestant population are aging and the mortality rate amongst them is higher, that's why what's giving its figure from 38% in the 2011 census, down to 43.48%

[@frankoneill5675]

Yes, the only group in the 2011 census with a significant Protestant majority was the over 60s (57% Protestant, 35% Catholic). That is obviously over 70s now. In contrast, in 2011 those of school age and under were 51% Catholic, 35% Protestant.

[@ScepticalSkeptic]

Little-Pengelly is a barrister, so she's been trained in use of deflection, obfuscation - and weasel-words.

[@aspenade]

And an unelected MLA, she was co opted into Jeffery's stormont seat.

[@ScepticalSkeptic]

@@aspenade I was wondering how she got there. After all, "Vote Little-Pengelly" isn't much of a rallying call, is it?

[@12bigredd]

the Unionist Reich is falling :) I am gonna have a snowball and a cup of coffee lol:)

[@PercivalBlakeney]

🎶"Sammy Wilson, he's our man… If he can't do it, ¡GREAT!".🎵 (apologies to Robin Williams. 😋)

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Members of my family in Northern Ireland are still tethered to 'the mainland' and are defiantly British and yet, they all have Irish passports now. They make fun of the Sinn Fein politicians that were democratically elected to the government and, won't hear a word against those Unionists that are currently causing trouble by not taking seats in Stormont. I think that their generation is ruining the chance of a united Ireland as they won't let go of the past.

[@Dreyno]

What I find amazing about unionists is their complete ignorance of the rest of the island. They don’t know and they don’t want to know. Even Stephen Nolan (BBC NI journalist and host) didn’t set foot south of the border until he had to do so for a programme when he was in his 40s. Quite sad, really.

[@roisinmalone3015]

They are becoming or have become a minority. They will have to accept equality and democracy.

[@taintabird23]

How do you identify yourself? I ask, because you are the future.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

@@taintabird23 I was born on the island of Ireland so I would identify as Irish.

[@saabsonsan]

Arlene foster has already said she will leave for England. She can’t live in a united ireland

[@skeeterhoney]

Excellent as always, Max. I've been struck in the last couple years at how much the language of inevitability has taken over the discussions on reunification; it's nearing fete-accompli territory. For this to change, Ireland will have to stop its own progressive trends and the UK will have to pull itself out of its current death spiral, niether of which look likely to happen anytime soon. And even if it did, I seriously doubt the reversal of those trends would occur fast enough to stop the momentum towards a united Ireland before it's made official. To all this I say "good." The Irish people deserve to finally cast aside the Cromwellian shackles of the last half mellenium.

[@colloquialsoliloquy6391]

Graffiti's on the wall for the Scots in Ulster. Thankfully ,this time ,the goalposts have been bolted down.

[@marakinane2097]

Dear God , don't send them back to us!

[@robertnairn7353]

The unionist lead by the DUP has for so long believed that they just had to say NO and they would be kept in there save bit of Ireland and then Brexit came along which they saw a way of finally stopping a united Ireland by exiting the EU, but it has backfired badly, and the DUP are seen as out of step with not just the nationalist but in rural areas which voted to remain.

[@johncassidy7621]

Is é Ár Lá. Tá Ár Lá anseo. Anois.

[@roderickmain9697]

I get a bit nervous of commenting on NI issues as there are many complicated facets and nuances. However, as society gets more secular, the way you worship in your religion gets less significant. Separating religion and politics might see a shift towards the practical realities of living , doing business where the political focus is more about doing the best for the people of NI. What is "best"? Tying yourself to the sinking ship of England doesnt seem like an optimal position to take. It also doesnt seem to me that the Irish government would be wanting to curtail any religious freedoms in NI should the issue of unification get serious. Why would they? I'm sure they would be as much in favour of working out issues as West Germany was with East Germany. Unification wont be an overnight thing but staying with the UK is like watching the water rise on the Titanic - the UK is not unsinkable either.

[@Dreyno]

It has almost nothing to do with religion. Historically it did but in the last century religion has only really been shorthand for your political stance. It’s not about studying the bible or belief in transubstantiation. Most of the people couldn’t tell you the difference in the religions. Unionist politicians don’t care how bad it is economically for NI. Their attachment to Britain and their hegemony over the nationalists is all they care about. Unionists business people care but until they really feel the pain from brexit, not many will contemplate a United Ireland. Ireland didn’t curtail religious freedoms of Protestants in the south a century ago. That’s not what they’re afraid of. It’s purely political.

[@imastaycool]

*reunification* Ireland was united in many ways before the Norman/British invasion of the 1100s. 1. Ireland was united before the coming of the Brits/Normans in 1169 as we had one law for the whole island i.e. Brehon Law. This particular law was in place for 1000 years and was first set down on parchment in the 7th century. This law was operational in Ireland until the completion of the English conquest of Ireland in the early 17th century. Brehon Law is seen today as very advanced for that time. Brehon Law is hugely important and not to be overlooked as insignificant. Brehon Law was very advanced for that era and was even in use right up until the 17th century before the Brits took hold. 2. The whole island was united linguistically as we all spoke Archaic/Old Irish. The Irish language is around since the Bronze Age and is about 2,500 years old. We all shared the Irish language so were linguistically entwined. 3. We were united both culturally and socially, too all the while operating under one law. One's culture is based firmly around many different parts of everyday life and pre-Norman invasion, Gaelic Irish style of dress, music, dance, sport, social gathering, architecture, and art was nationwide. We had unity albeit political unity, but where and when, even today, has politics ever been united!? Are the folks in Westminster united? Are the folks in the Dáil Éireann united? I think not. The truth is the British invasion destroyed our laws and language therefore creating division - the invasion tried to divide the people and successfully partitioned the island. Ireland was united in many ways before the British arrived and will be reunified when Britain leaves.

[@fcb9950]

It's Irish reunification not unification

[@imastaycool]

Exactly. Ireland was united in many ways before the Norman/British invasion of the 1100s. 1. Ireland was united before the coming of the Brits/Normans in 1169 as we had one law for the whole island i.e. Brehon Law. This particular law was in place for 1000 years and was first set down on parchment in the 7th century. This law was operational in Ireland until the completion of the English conquest of Ireland in the early 17th century. Brehon Law is seen today as very advanced for that time. Brehon Law is hugely important and not to be overlooked as insignificant. Brehon Law was very advanced for that era and was even in use right up until the 17th century before the Brits took hold. 2. The whole island was united linguistically as we all spoke Archaic/Old Irish. The Irish language is around since the Bronze Age and is about 2,500 years old. We all shared the Irish language so were linguistically entwined. 3. We were united both culturally and socially, too all the while operating under one law. One's culture is based firmly around many different parts of everyday life and pre-Norman invasion, Gaelic Irish style of dress, music, dance, sport, social gathering, architecture, and art was nationwide. We had unity albeit political unity, but where and when, even today, has politics ever been united!? Are the folks in Westminster united? Are the folks in the Dáil Éireann united? I think not. The truth is the British invasion destroyed our laws and language therefore creating division - the invasion tried to divide the people and successfully partitioned the island. Ireland was united in many ways before the British arrived and will be reunified when Britain leaves.

[@johnwalsh6832]

Just like Ian paisley was the biggest recruitment officer for the ira the dup with them being so much for the brexshit have brought a united Ireland closer and quicker max

[@ulicadluga]

Suppression was always the instrument of rule in the British Isles. It was manifest as a British trait since the Norman Conquest - and it tries to continue in an ever shrinking dominion. Our latest tranche of rulers is building on suppression and oppression. It's the same thing, whether you restrict demonstration, worker's rights, make the poorest poorer. Suppression and oppression always lead to strife and revolution. The British way of keeping the "Dominion" is much like a terrorist holding hostages. They will all get away when they have a chance. And this will still apply when England is the only nation left. It will supress and oppress itself until it practically desintigrates.

[@verttikoo2052]

Unionists have smaller children 🤭

[@conors4430]

Never thought I’d see the day. I’m no longer a catholic, but still, once upon a time, this seemed unimaginable.

[@beaglaoich4418]

As some also not Catholic and looking at the measure of our brethren in the north I looked at the identity quicker than I did the religion on NISRA’s website and those are the more interesting, important and stark numbers

[@irenehagan4104]

It's a bit like the crocodile in Peter Pan, tick tock, tick tock.

[@DavidWilliams-DSW558]

I'm not sure if you understand Catholicism, Max. The problem isn't that the Catholics had less access to contraception and family planning, but that their beliefs and the church actually forbade them from using contraception, whether they could access it or not.

[@ClaireSweets]

Ireland's Future conference in Dublin next Saturday. Come along and have your say. It's not really about religion anymore. It's about land and Britain doesn't want the place - we are bad for brexit. We were the price Britain paid for brexit so we have to prepare for a poll within the next couple of years.

[@tomtomftube]

it was never about religion , it was about freedom from british imperialism , still is

[@ofark2764]

Actually there has been a massive change, the change in new people's coming to this island. legally or illegally. Many of the new arrivals are of Catholic faith... ❤️🙏❤️

[@LL-vk9zc]

Huge numbers of the Protestants who live south of the border, for some reason don't feel the need to wave Union flags or light bonfires in July. They have no reason whatsoever to feel under threat from their neighbours. It's the insecure ones in NI who are the ones who prefer to avoid the 'live and let live' motto.

[@kevinbarry1724]

In 1912 there was very little done by the Home Rule Party and Sinn Fein to ease Protestant fears about Home Rule. It's important that Nationalists do all they can to assure Unionists that their lives will be better in a United Ireland.

[@roisinmalone3015]

The Unionists didn't want Home Rule, full stop And the Irish are no longer a downtrodden colonised people who can be subjugated and put down A United Ireland will be an inclusive European EU country where all identity is respected and protected. The Unionist veto will be gone though and no longer will a minority of extreme unionists be able to dictate the path of the island. Unionists will have to learn to accept equality and democracy. They will be equal with everyone else within the new state

[@taintabird23]

@@roisinmalone3015 Well said, every word of it.

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

Why can't just have a "people majority" or maybe a "human being majority'??

[@frankoneill5675]

Who would make up the minority?

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

@@frankoneill5675 Nobody! That was my point.

[@frankoneill5675]

@@holgerlubotzki3469 So, why not just have people, then?

[@holgerlubotzki3469]

@@frankoneill5675 That was exactly my point!

[@PersonOfTheInternet280]

As soon as I heard there are more Catholics the song Every Sperm Is Sacred from Monty Python played in my head.

[@christal2641]

Since Brexit, there are a LOT MORE in NI who want a United Ireland. These include Protestants who don't want to suffer Brexit, lapsed Catholics who are not members of any parish because of clerical abused, Atheists/Agnostics who don't believe in monarchism, and immigrants who saw how nasty Brexiteers are to immigrants and 2nd generation immigrants. appreciate Irish

[@martincopeland8153]

No it isn’t, they will simply shout “No Pot Pouri” and pretend they don’t exist.

[@fredericrike5974]

That summed it up as far as I can see- but, MAX, I'm a retired plumber living down the street and literally. across the pond- this is your back yard. But you are adding up the tea leaves pretty much as they appear to me. FR

[@Chrisjude100]

I am UK born, of Irish majority background and have lived in the EU for close on 50 years. Irish unification is an idea whose time has come. The DUP, along with a large number of Tories believed that their lot would be better served by being big fish in a small pond. How's that working out? I watched the Brexit debate in 2016, but no longer vote in the UK, and knew that it was not going to be a landslide Remain, more like as it actually went, but still for remaining. I had occasion to be speaking with some people from N.I. and the R.O.I. just a few days later and when I happened to say that in my view the referendum result might very well bring about a United Ireland, the R.O.I. side had a sharp intake of breath, while the N.I. people, one of whom was/is a Protestant pastor nodded silently.

[@imastaycool]

Irish *reunification* Ireland was united in many ways before the Norman/British invasion of the 1100s. 1. Ireland was united before the coming of the Brits/Normans in 1169 as we had one law for the whole island i.e. Brehon Law. This particular law was in place for 1000 years and was first set down on parchment in the 7th century. This law was operational in Ireland until the completion of the English conquest of Ireland in the early 17th century. Brehon Law is seen today as very advanced for that time. Brehon Law is hugely important and not to be overlooked as insignificant. Brehon Law was very advanced for that era and was even in use right up until the 17th century before the Brits took hold. 2. The whole island was united linguistically as we all spoke Archaic/Old Irish. The Irish language is around since the Bronze Age and is about 2,500 years old. We all shared the Irish language so were linguistically entwined. 3. We were united both culturally and socially, too all the while operating under one law. One's culture is based firmly around many different parts of everyday life and pre-Norman invasion, Gaelic Irish style of dress, music, dance, sport, social gathering, architecture, and art was nationwide. We had unity albeit political unity, but where and when, even today, has politics ever been united!? Are the folks in Westminster united? Are the folks in the Dáil Éireann united? I think not. The truth is the British invasion destroyed our laws and language therefore creating division - the invasion tried to divide the people and successfully partitioned the island. Ireland was united in many ways before the British arrived and will be reunified when Britain leaves.

[@tomtomftube]

@@imastaycool Exactly , Gaelic Ireland is distinct from britain , just because irish gaels fought among ourselves (we still do to this day) doesnt mean we were a different people

[@Chrisjude100]

@@imastaycool All true, but beside the point. The (re)unification of Ireland today refers to the partitioning (and that is all it was/is) that occurred in 1921. Prior to that it was an integral part of the UK (like Scotland (always unified) and Wales (as in England AND Wales)). Maybe someone will suggest a new partition line to include 3 or 4 ninths of Ulster.😉😉

[@imastaycool]

@@Chrisjude100 Wrong. Ireland was NEVER an integral part of Grim Britain... Ireland was invaded, colonised and partitioned by the British. We fought ferociously and long in fighting against British rule. Do you think we fought British rule for centuries for the laugh of it or something? When people fight, they fight for a good reason and when a nation fights it's because something was taken away from them! After the Norman/English Invasion of Ireland in the 1100s, we then had Planters arrive as per The Plantations in 16th- and 17th-century which involved the confiscation of Irish-owned land by the English Crown and the colonisation of land with settlers from Britain. We fought back: The two Desmond Rebellions took place in 1569-1573 and 1579-1583 to *fight against the threat of the extension of the English government* over the province. The successful Battle of Clontibret was *fought against the British* in County Monaghan in 1595. The successful Battle of the Yellow Ford was *fought against the British* in County Armagh in 1598. The Nine Years' War, sometimes called Tyrone's Rebellion took place in Ireland from 1593 to 1603. It was fought between an Irish alliance to *fight against English rule in Ireland.* The Rebellion of 1641 took place when Irish Catholics were being threatened by expansion of the anti-Catholic English Parliament and Scottish Planters and they *rebelled against English and Protestant domination.* The Irish Rebellion of 1798 was a major uprising *against British rule in Ireland.* (The Society of United Irishmen was led primarily by liberal Protestants). The Irish wanted an end to anti-Catholic discrimination, greater Irish self-governance, and to roll back the Plantations of Ireland. The Irish rebellion of 1803 was launched by Irish republicans *against British rule in Ireland* The Easter Rising of 1916 was piloted by Irish republicans *against British rule in Ireland* with the aim of establishing an independent Irish Republic. The civil rights movement in the early 1960s challenged the inequality and discrimination against ethnic Irish Catholics that was perpetrated by the Ulster Protestant community. Derry activists' marched on the 5 October 1968 in Derry, but were attacked by the RUC and loyalists. THAT IS A SNAPSHOT OF HOW WE HAVE FOUGHT AND RESISTED BOTH BRITISH RULE AND DISCRIMINATION BY THE UNIONIST COMMUNITY.

[@Chrisjude100]

@@imastaycool I did not say Great (Grim) Britain, which is one of the British Isles (politically a misnomer, but it has stood as a geographic designation for quite some time) but the United Kingdom of Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and Ireland (after 1921 the Province of Northern Ireland). My Limerick and Dublin born paternal grandparents held "British" nationality and passports. The Union flag (Jack) bears the crosses of Saints George, Andrew ... and Patrick. I totally agree that the spirit of independence of Ireland from the London (and Edinburgh) based monarchies dates far, far back into history, but the political PARTITIONING of the Island into Nationalist and Unionist territories dates from the creation of the Free State.

[@paulmcgroggan7749]

Let's have an election and get this government working for all the people not just for some orange and green politics is coming to an end

[@walterhowieson7100]

Max why hasn't Scotlands population increased over the decades, is the unequal union got something to do with it ?

[@am1156]

I heard somewhere that Ireland's population was roughly the same as it is today, when the English first set foot on Irish soil. Imagine that.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@am1156 Irelands population is at present 5M, it has never returned to pre-famine levels where it was estimated at over 8M

[@Dreyno]

@@SirAntoniousBlock It was 8.1 million on the whole island. It recently crossed 7 million for the whole island.

[@Dreyno]

Scotland’s population is 3x what it was in 1801. In the last 50 years it has decreased for many reasons but mostly emigration to England due to a lack of well paid jobs since the death of heavy industry. Westminster let it wither like Wales and the North of England.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

@@Dreyno Yes, I oversimplified, in 1840 obviously the whole island was part of the UK, still the point stands, I was agreeing with A M that it has not recovered since. Interestingly Scotlands present population is similar to Irelands as are their land masses. 😎

[@ganrimmonim]

I'm not in NI and neither protestant nor Catholic. But it's clear that most people on the mainland don't give two fcuks about NI. Ireland is going to be united probably in 10 to 15 years.

[@frankoneill5675]

I think most people on the mainland care a lot about it, it's the people of Britain who know little and care less

[@Dreyno]

The mainland? France?

[@tomtomftube]

the european mainland ? yes i agree. Britain is not irelands mainland due to unfortunate geographical luck our two islands just happened to be located beside each other , such a pity the irish sea isnt a lot wider and deeper

[@cyberkraut5139]

Lady Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham: „I always thought this family might be approaching dissolution. I didn’t know this illusion was already upon us.“ (Downton Abbey)

[@johngurvan8279]

It will be a problem if people make it a problem.

[@josephmcgivern9671]

I think the best part of the census is only 31 per sent off the people want to be British what does that say

[@lostinfrance9830]

"There's nothing new here" BBC's tweets in a nutshell.

[@MrAidzor]

I feel sorry for hard core loyalists. So boxed in by their own intolerance

[@williampatrickfagan7590]

Max, what the census does not say, is that, Nationalists take their Religion from Rome, But their politics from their home, And ne'er the 2 will marry. Nationalism, Republicanism and Catholisism are not inclusive. a fair proportion of those "No Religion", would, I opine, be Nationalist or tend towards nationalism