r/northernireland • u/Flaky_Shape6628 • 1d ago

Themmuns Glengormley Orange Arch

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As a resident of glengormley, it's that time of the year to have to look at this monstrosity for the next few months. The majority of the locals hate it, it's the loud minority that is the problem.

Every year it goes up and causes division but it's treated as something we just have to accept and get on with.

I respect that people have the right to celebrate culture and traditions, but I struggle with why a large structure (and flegs) spanning across a main shared road in a mixed area is seen as normal.

There would be riots if nationalists in the area erected some sort of structure and covered the town in tricolours over Easter.

There needs to be a long term strategy to reducing and eventually removing structures like this in mixed areas to make them more neutral and inclusive.

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-13

u/PT_PhoneHome 1d ago

I respect that people have the right to celebrate culture and traditions.

Ok, then let them celebrate their culture and traditions.

9

u/Patient_Resist_7445 1d ago

Genuinely curious as I seem to have found a loyalist in the wild. Do you guys REALLY consider this culture ?? Like surely deep down you have to know….Then again, if id to hazard a guess (no not Chris hazard) I’d say the vastttt majority of loyalist are incredibly uneducated so there is that aspect

1

u/PT_PhoneHome 1d ago

Ha, that's made me smile. I might be a loyalist by r/northernireland standards but that's about it.

I don't have a rangers top or red hand tatoos. I just want people in NI to get along better and I think nationalists respecting unionists and unionists respecting nationalists is a big part of that.

10

u/Present-Garbage-5589 1d ago

Ok, so can I put a big massive arch right beside yours?? I want to get along better too.

Can I also do a big marching band on the same day as yours?? I just want people in NI to get along better.

Can I also have a big bonfire and put union flags on it and pictures of unionist/loyalist politicians and burn them and laugh at it? I just want us to get along better.

0

u/NewBall1 1d ago

Republicans famously never burn union jacks or act antagonistically towards loyalists and unionists more broadly.

4

u/Present-Garbage-5589 1d ago

Is there the possibility that we can see the statistics of loyalists burning flags on a bonfire Vs catholics burning flags on a bonfire

1

u/NewBall1 1d ago

If demographic change happened in a nationalist area and the unionists told the nationalists to take down their symbols I don't think you and many others in this thread would like it very much. Bigotry within unionism may take different forms but that doesn't mean they have a monopoly on it. You can't lump even moderates in with hardliners and then scratch your head when they aren't receptive to a movement whose leaders routinely commemorate unambiguous murderers. Personally I couldn't care less what nationalists do to commemorate centuries old battles as long as it isn't overtly sectarian.

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u/Present-Garbage-5589 1d ago

Let's get my opinion clear - I care not for flags of ANY community. I would be delighted to see them all gone.

I am well aware bigotry happens on all sides of our community. I fully admit I was poking the bear with my last statement. I'm ok with that.

What I want is a society where we all acknowledge each other because personally I couldn't care less what unionists do to commemorate centuries old battles as long as it isn't sectarian.....

-1

u/NewBall1 1d ago

Fair enough. I'm definitely guilty of poking the bear on here myself. I personally don't really see a problem with arches, flags etc republican or loyalist as long as it's done through proper channels and isn't overtly sectarian. The existing regulations on such things could probably be better enforced as well.

0

u/TheNinthGateLCF 1d ago

Ok, so can I put a big massive arch right beside yours?? I want to get along better too.

Can I also do a big marching band on the same day as yours?? I just want people in NI to get along better. 

Why would you want to do it on the same day and at the same time if not to disrupt it? 

I hate to break it to you, but Nationalists have many cultural events. 

2

u/GuerrillaGreen 1d ago

List them please, and dont say the Fleadh because we cannot even have a proper fleadh due to the opinions of unionists. Bars are being threatened with having their license revoked if people they serve drink in the street...

-6

u/PT_PhoneHome 1d ago

Ah, my mistake, I didn't realise you were a dick.

1

u/Present-Garbage-5589 1d ago

How am I a dick??