The Titanic and my best wishes to Ulster.

First topic message reminder :

The media have gone into overdrive on the tragedy a hundred years ago.

Much of this is mawkish and in the case of the Belfast Titanic Museum, cynical commercialism.

But at the root of it the Harland and Wolff was a deeply sectarian organisation which was in no way the last reason for the problems in northern Ireland in the 20th century.

That is why I want Ulster to do well. A side which spans the both the divide and the Irish nations to win the HEC in this centenary year would be welcome by pretty much every neutral (I hope).

geoff998rugby wrote:I think you are right. The warmth of the welcome, from the locals that day, meant a lot.

Hope you are ready to do the same next Saturday

too right I am.

For obvious reasons, a part of me hopes Ulster lose the SF... but I will be shouting for them none the less!

Portnoy,

I thought you might enjoy this,

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-city-hall-in-bid-to-show-ulsters-heineken-cup-rugby-clash-on-big-screen-16153204.html

MrsP wrote:Portnoy,

I thought you might enjoy this,

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-city-hall-in-bid-to-show-ulsters-heineken-cup-rugby-clash-on-big-screen-16153204.html

Indeed I am and good luck to the venture.

Anything to help salve and span the loyalist/republican divide.

Thanks for the info MmeF. (There really should be a Hand of Man thumbs-up emoticon)

MrsP wrote:Portnoy,

I thought you might enjoy this,

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-city-hall-in-bid-to-show-ulsters-heineken-cup-rugby-clash-on-big-screen-16153204.html

Hope that gets the go ahead would be great for the City as long as the mindless idiots who like to hijack things to cause trouble stay away but could help Ulster in the long run and convert a few people and maybe educate Mr David Browne the only councillor to vote against it

In defence of Mr Browne (and I have no idea which foot he kicks off), he is quoted as being against rugby as a dangerous sport. Which is true.

“I would even be down with my Ulster flag — the historic Ulster flag, of course.

He just couldn't help himself could he.
Still though, it's good that both sides seem proud of and happy for the Ulster rugby team. Even if they still manage to have a minor squabble over which flag is more appropriate.

Portnoy wrote:In defence of Mr Browne (and I have no idea which foot he kicks off), he is quoted as being against rugby as a dangerous sport. Which is true.

All sports are dangerous if not done right but does he say they shouldn't be shown either?

I'll have to get a picture now of Davy Browne just to see if he looks like the kind of guy who would naturally say Bah Humbug to the 'barbaric' sport.

SecretFly wrote:I'll have to get a picture now of Davy Browne just to see if he looks like the kind of guy who would naturally say Bah Humbug to the 'barbaric' sport.

http://www.uup.org/index.php/councillors/83-councillors/181.html

think thats what you are looking for email and phone number provided too for anyone wishing to query his decision

Ah ..he seems ok from the pic. I suppose he's just being honest about his opinions. I'm calling off the boot boys I was going to send round his place to teach him that rugby is gentle, see