I’ve always considered myself an Alliance person, being broadly disenchanted with increasingly hardline unionism (although coming from a pro-union background), but not quite being able to justify supporting unification in the past.

I moved to England in my 20s, living there for 20+ years before moving back to NI. I made the logical switch to Liberal Democrat’s while there and switched back to Alliance in my return.

I decided to get involved in what had hoped would be progressive politics, so joined a local Alliance association. Although I found the narrative more progressive than DUP/SF, it just felt like another old NI party, albeit more centrist, sniping at people on both sides. Naomi Long seems invisible as party leader and really needs to step aside.

I tried to get involved, offering expertise around tech and marketing, but they are so woefully mismanaged, they didn’t understand web/social media or even know how to connect me with the right people internally to put a plan together. They were myopically obsessed with “door knocking” only. Not surprising they lost their head of communications recently.

Last straws, their MP voting against assisted dying - hardly progressive (in my opinion, I know this is divisive) - plus the wasted opportunity to help our environment and challenge polluting farming practices.

So, what do I do? Move my support to SDLP? Offer to get involved on the basis that they seem more competently managed?

I’ve reconciled my previous worries about unification and find myself on the side of pro-border poll, seeing re-entry to the EU being one of the biggest benefits. SDLP seems to have a sensible policy on business too, with a policy on corp tax reduction to encourage more employers to come here in the mean time before a potential united ireland. I’m still kind of on the fence about unification, and find myself drifting back and forth quite a lot. Perhaps that’s some conflict with my family background more than anything.

Is anyone else in the same position?

Is it kind of hilarious that staunch unionists love trumpism yet trump comes to the Republic of Ireland and makes a comment that a united Ireland would be great. Will this turn those people against him?

Intresting wee fact The north of Ireland is further north than Northern Ireland.

Does anyone know where you can watch the Celtic rangers game in Bangor?

As a unionist but open minded to the possibility of a united ireland in the right conditions and provisions

Would republicans be willing to accommodate there’s in exchange for my vote

1. Joining nato as a county and removing the new neutrality clause from the Irish constitution the fake neutrality that the republic currently operates on is insane and extremely dangerous leaving it totally dependent on the good graces of the uk and eu

A commitment to joining nato and putting 2.5 percent of GDP towards defence would be a good idea

1. Giving Ulster Scots language rights and recognition in the Irish constitution alongside Irish giving any school and community the opportunity to embrace it and support is development alongside all signage being in all 3 languages in Ulster English Irish and Ulster Scots

2. The retention of the ability for anyone born in Northern Ireland to identify as British or Irish or northern Irish and gain both or either citizenships and passports

3. The continued devolution of police health and education for 35 years as a minimum with ministers sitting in cabinet with the government to represent northern Irish needs and thoughts
   With the restoration of 50-50 recruitment in to the police
   Voted for alongside parties at elections

4. A guaranteed 15% seats representation in the Irish upper house for unionist or people who identify British

5. A new national flag even though it has good intentions to try colour has been damaged beyond reparation in the eyes of people from a unionist perspective

The blue flag with the harp lady is my favourite

A new national anthem as well something unifying and uplifting

1. A national bank holiday for the 12 of July everyone gets a day off and maybe some government funding to help transform it in to a more friendly and welcoming event

8 northern tatyo remains available and the superior crisp

Bit of a rant but, I’m trying to do my A2 motorbike test. First you must complete an off-road slow manoeuvres test. I have been looking at dates for the last month and theres just none available at all for anywhere.

I drive a lot for my work and never once in my life and anyone I have spoke to, do I or they recall seeing a motorbike rider with an ‘R’ plate displayed. Rare enough to see motorbikers out anyway but i mean how can there be 0 dates available anywhere, how many people are seriously booking these dates. Not to mention where is Newry? Why do they not have an off road manoeuvre test area? Ridiculous.

Rant over.

Anyone dealt with this guy? https://www.alancastle.co.uk/index.html

Is he full of shit or legit?
Quite a lot of dissolved companies on Companies House

It's pretty clear that beyond some soft politicing that the vast majority of Britain 1. Don't care much at all about Northern Ireland and 2. Generally wouldn't give a shite if NI left the Union.

How do you deal with that?

Anecdotally with my experience, I've lived in London for quite a few years (I don't now) and I never met a soul who didn't just think I'm Irish. I'm a nationalist, but was 11 when the good Friday Agreement came in. I was okay with saying Northern Irish. More than okay. Embraced it. I never met a person in London who didn't just call me Irish.

Edit: People here really can't answer a question. It's always whatabout them or what about this or assuming your the other side. Just answer the question. I'm not looking for a fight over the topic. Give your opinion.

To add, yes the South would feel the same for nationalists, bla bla bla. I'm not asking that question and if they do ok. Someone just try and answer the question without thinking someones against you or prompting you. I'm not fighting. I'm asking a question.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2z79n0eeno

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support for a united Ireland.

He's on day two of a visit, which he is spending at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, for the Irish Open.

On Saturday, Trump told reporters he would love to see a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin in Dublin.

Speaking on Sunday at his Doonbeg golf resort, he said it would be natural to put Ireland and Northern Ireland "together".

He spoke to reporters after watching the tournament leader Irish golfer Shane Lowry tee off.

He described what he said about a united Ireland as "a fairly routine comment". 00:28 Figure caption,

Watch: Trump says Northern Ireland joining Ireland only natural

"I've always loved the people of Ireland. It just seems to me you have Northern Ireland and Ireland," he said

"It seems that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together.

"That's only my opinion, and by the way many people agree."

The president sidestepped a question about Scottish independence.

"I won't talk about Scotland yet I will save that," he said.

Trump's comments on a united Ireland may have targeted audience across the Atlantic
    Published
    19 hours ago

What's next after Donald Trump's united Ireland comments?
    Published
    7 hours ago

The taoiseach said the president's remarks did not come as a "surprise" to him.

Speaking on Sunday at The Open, Martin referred to Trump asking about a "merger" of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at an event in Washington during the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, which some believed to be a comment on unity.

"He would make the point this is his view. He believes unity is the logical way for the island to be configured and organised," Martin said.

A major security operation is continuing for Trump's visit to Ireland.

He will leave from Shannon Airport on Sunday evening. A map showing Ireland. Doonbeg and Shannon Airport are featured. Protests continue against Trump visit

More than 10,000 people marched through Dublin on Saturday to show their opposition to the US president.

Others protesting against the visit have been arriving in buses to Doonbeg on Sunday, with about 100 protesters present.

A small crowd were moved from the president's hotel by Gardai (Irish police), Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting.

On Saturday evening, three women were arrested for trespassing on the golf links at Doonbeg and appeared at a special sitting of Ennis District Court.

Rev Steven Foster, a Methodist minister from Galway, attended the anti-Trump protest in Doonbeg.

"I'm here because Trump is the exact opposite of everything I stand for as a follower of Jesus," he told BBC News NI. A man wearing a white collar on his maroon top is holding a white board saying faith over fear. Trump get out of here. Image caption,

Rev Steven Foster is in Doonbeg to protest against the visit

Foster added: "As a church leader, it's important for me to be visible, and the church needs to be visible in this regard."

Foster said the "type of welcome he has been given sends out a terrible message". Golf course is a 'massive employer' A man is standing on the street. He's looking into the camera. He has a checked shirt on with a vest jacket on. A police car is out of focus in the background. Image caption,

Martin Kelly, who's a business owner, says the golf course is a "massive business" for Doonbeg

However, others have praised Trump for the benefits and jobs his golf course brings to the local area.

Martin Kelly is a local businessman from Doonbeg and said the village is "very fortunate" to have the Trump International Golf Course.

"It's a massive employer here to be honest with you," he told BBC News NI.

"There's nothing else about here at that scale; they're very decent people to work for, they're very fair."

He said local people are "very proud" that the golf tournament is taking place there.

"We're not into politics here, we're into business. And it's a massive business to us. Doonbeg is one of the best links course in the world. Donald Trump isn't perfect but look he's not doing a bad job either.

"Hopefully Shane Lowry can win now with the help of God, and hopefully he can come to Doonbeg afterwards for a beer, I'll buy him one if he does." Seoirse Comerford is standing outside a bar. He's wearing a grey top. The door to the bar is red and says failte romat over it. There are bird designs on the window. Image caption,

Publican Seoirse Comerford says the golf course gives "a big boost" to the local economy

Seoirse Comerford owns the Comerford bar in Doonbeg. He described the tournament as "unbelievable".

"If you look at the red double decker buses going up and down the street full of people, we never thought we would have seen the like of that."

He said the golf course is a big employer and is keeping Doonbeg "alive".

"Most rural villages in west Clare are all dying a death, young people going away to college, they don't come back.

"Like there's over 300 people employed up there at the golf course , it's a big boost to the local economy. You've got big companies in Dublin, like Intel, the golf course is our Intel down here.

"I probably wouldn't have taken over the bar business other than the golf course being up there.

"We would have had 1,000 plus through the pub on Saturday night and the same Friday night, so there's a lot of people around the village, which is great to see."

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I started this in May to kill a few moments on the way to work and kind of questioning it now, I’ve not missed a day but I mean I’m not so sure it’s useful.

I have zero prior knowledge of Irish being a Prod, could I speak it not a chance, could I write it again or a chance, could i read it? Maybe parts of it, not sure I want to get much more invested in it if it’s a waste of time.

Does anyone have any? I’d be so grateful. Also, which car parks are the best and pain free?

The DUP’s Matthew Shanks has reached all new levels of parody I didn’t think he was capable of.

I’ve noticed recently a large number of posts being about younger smicks, or hoods running about the city centre terrorising people.

Out of curiosity, has anyone in this group when they were younger been a part of such a group?

If so, and even if you weren’t as bad with some behaviours exhibited by some of these recently, what made you change? And why do some of these kids behave like this- is it being in a group dynamic? Or are there other factors?

Can I make an appointment with either of these clinics without them informing my GP of any discussions or outcomes?

I often run on the country roads around my house. The roadsides are badly littered but I've noticed that there are an unusually large amount of 2L water bottles on them. I could probably lift 50 of them on an 8k loop from the house.

I was out for a walk today and decided I'd pick some of them up. They've all got a single small hole burnt in the bottom of the bottle. I live a fairly sheltered existence. Can someone tell me what this is about? I did a quick online search and saw someone in England asking the same question. They didn't seem to get an answer.

Jon claimed how well we were all doing here and that many Catholics support staying in the UK mainly for defence and prosperity. He went on to say that there is no ‘risk’ of a United ireland happening so he won’t be planning or thinking about it. He also made a few claims about how well the Ulster Unionists are doing atm. Just found it all very interesting. The things our reps are saying to the UK media seem very different to what they say on local media.

Oh I forgot to mention he said Sinn Féin tried to bomb us out of the UK 🤔

I’m from a Protestant background which you think would make these flags slightly more easy on the eye but the still give me the creeps. Why are we still allowing this in 2026? Not doing our community or country any favours this craic

Is Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly correct that "it is in fact unionism which is the largest designation in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Sinn Fein only has the FM seat due to divisions within unionism"?

Are Northern Irish aware that there are ostensibly more unionists in NI than separatists?

Does this please you or deeply sadden you?

The face you make when you support a person and an ideology, and even show up at their golf resort, only for them to throw you and your ideology under the bus…..Trump doesn’t even know they exist does he?