The most popular person in Ireland.

RobertKK

Michael D Higgins is not the most popular, no political figure.
A lot of people dislike rugby.
No actors or actresses either.

It is hard to not like Francis Brennan.

Zaph

RobertKK wrote: »

It is hard to not like Francis Brennan.

And yet somehow I manage to do so, probably because of that really annoying voice of his.

washman3

John Delaney...(if only we knew where to find him right now)

mansize

Probably that wrestler guy

Jim Bob Scratcher

Enda Ahern.

Another dislike for Michael D Higgins here. No time for socialists who affect upper class accents. He really seemed to me to be in his element mixing with the queen etc. And it's not a thing of me just begrudging a man of his obvious success, it's just that affectation grates with me and you can be successful without it - for instance, I believe Bertie Ahern is an example of a guy from a modest background who achieved very highly without becoming pompous. Like did Higgins always have that accent? Higgins knows he can make grandiose left-wing speeches that will have no impact on government policy and he'll get to look like the good guy while the government will implement the *actual* policies that fix the country and be unpopular for it. Win-win for him and 5 grand a week too! I get the impression he wants to be liked by everyone - "working class", intellectual elites and "Dublin 4" people alike. I think the fact no one ever seems to share any of my feelings about him and in fact seem to dote over him ("OMG I love michael d, like aren't you proud our president is so cool!") makes me dislike him more! He's tricking you all!

mansize

Bertie, man a de people, getting dig outs from well positioned friends, but damn that pinko Mickey D!

As far as most popular goes, i'd reckon Michael Lyster from the Sunday Game is right up there. Comes across as very likeable, good at his job, unpretentious, enthusiastic, usually in good form.. I'd find it hard to imagine someone disliking him for any reason.

finbarrk

Our President. Gentleman of the highest order. Wins it for sure.

mansize

mansize wrote: »

Bertie, man a de people, getting dig outs from well positioned friends, but damn that pinko Mickey D!

It's not his being a "pinko" - the likes of Paul Murphy or people before profit politicians don't bother me even a bit as much as I know they bother others, it's just Higgins' self righteousness from a position of safety and what I perceive to be affectations that bother me- I don't hate the guy or anything and id guess he is a man of integrity and a decent guy, but I never felt the same love for him as others.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

for instance, I believe Bertie Ahern is an example of a guy from a modest background who achieved very highly without becoming pompous.

You do realise that Berties "man of the people" carryon was as big an act as you believe Michael D to be playing?

Ahern was as crooked as they come.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You do realise that Berties "man of the people" carryon was as big an act as you believe Michael D to be playing?

Ahern was as crooked as they come.

Yeah probably. Ill-thought-out example perhaps ..

Donald Trump

Wesc. wrote: »

Had this discussion with a mate of mine earlier. I went for Paul O'Connell, while he thought Brian O'Driscoll. Couldn't think of anybody else more universally liked..

Thoughts?

Your sister is fairly "popular" at least in the surrounding counties.

padd b1975

munsterlegend wrote: »

Well Hume realised without the shinners peace was impossible so integrity is great but politics is about finding solutions to problems.

I'm not talking Willie McCrea sharing a platform with Billy Wright type schmoozing. Everyone knows business had to be done with the shinners eventually.

But there were occasions, particularly in the early seventies when the civil rights movement was probably better organised than the IRA when he could have been a hell of a lot more vocal in his condemnation of them.
Seamus Mallon has been unwavering in his, even when it was extremely dangerous to have such a point of view let alone express it publicly.

Flippyfloppy

captbarnacles wrote: »

I like none of those people :,

Oh I'm sorry, but this thread isn't about the 'best liked' person in Ireland.

I'll pm you in future prior to making any postings on boards to be sure you like what I'm posting.

s8n

Me

WesternZulu

Deleted User wrote: »

I believe Bertie Ahern is an example of a guy from a modest background who achieved very highly without becoming pompous

Bertie was a crook!

kfallon

Dustin back in his 'The Den' days!

fryup

the pope?

kunst nugget

Yer Aul One wrote: »

But Bill O'Herlihy for me, miss him greatly!

That guy was a shill for the tobacco industry. Absolute prick imo.

myshirt

kunst nugget wrote: »

That guy was a shill for the tobacco industry. Absolute prick imo.

Hey, we all gotta eat. No need to call the guy a prick, he had a lovely manner and many people have happy memories of him.

Most popular imho - Bibi Baskin.

kunst nugget

myshirt wrote: »

Hey, we all gotta eat. No need to call the guy a prick, he had a lovely manner and many people have happy memories of him.

Most popular imho - Bibi Baskin.

I'm sure he had a lovely manner. Doesn't change the fact that behind the 'Okey Dokey' persona, he was a shrewd political lobbyist with influence in the upper echelons of Fine Gael and had no qualms using that for the benefit of the tobacco industry. So, yeah. He was a prick.

jive

Most have been mentioned at this stage:

Michael O' Muircheartaigh
Paul O'Connell
Michael D. Higgins
Padraig Harrington
Robbie Keane
Bill O'Herlihy

I'd say it'd have to be Michael D., he's a very likeable little fúcker it must be said.

Of the above I'd choose Harrington myself. Has always carried himself well and represented Ireland well. Three time major winner and always seemed like a genuine, down-to-earth guy.

Son Of A Vidic

Mister Vain wrote: »

The Notorious.

B.I.G.?

livedadream

jive wrote: »

I'd say it'd have to be Michael D., he's a very likeable little fúcker it must be said.

.

couldnt have said it better myself...

Kilboor

Harrington or O'Connell without a doubt.

GMSA

BONO.

Kilboor

GMSA wrote: »

BONO.

I prefer ONOB personally

Liam O

Liam O wrote: »

To not call what McGregor does a sport is a decent attempt at a wind up but too obvious.

Not recognised as a sport here I'm afraid. Thems the facts.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/ufc/irish-martial-arts-commission-says-8586218

I don't see it as the first cousin of a sport. That's not to say the participants are not athletic. It's just like the WWE, pantomime with blood thrown in.

Gwynplaine

Not one mention of Rory. Oh yes, he's not Irish.

Dr Bob

Theres the problem ..its built into us to hate winners..so if someones heralded as the 'most popular person in Ireland' ...someones hoing to pipe up with " nah he's an arsehole"

Lt Dan

BRYAN Is Ainm Dom wrote: »

Denis O Brien

Oh our beloved St Denis.

Lt Dan

retalivity wrote: »

O'driscoll is a pretentious tosser, speaking from experience.

Oh, do tell

Lt Dan

irishfeen wrote: »

Michael D. Higgins by a landslide I would think, certainly the most popular politician in modern times .. Very rare if ever I have found someone who dislikes the man.

Some of the water charge protesters would have a different opinion.Ghastly comments made by them

Bar his sterling work at TG4 / T nA G while a Minister, he hardly had any other big decisions to make every since. Easy being popular then. Sure, Labour were great altogether before they got into power.

Yes, he was always one of the more respected people, just don't read his poems

I'd say his wife was some catch years ago. Lovely looking lady

Lt Dan

kunst nugget wrote: »

That guy was a shill for the tobacco industry. Absolute prick imo.

Billo did not force kiddies and adults to smoke! Free will baby! Just remember where a big source of tax came from

MyStubbleItches

John Creedon surely worth a mention.

kunst nugget

MyStubbleItches wrote: »

John Creedon surely worth a mention.

His radio show is an absolute gem.

beach_walker

I think people overestimate Michael D's popularity. He only beat a FF crook by way of a SF stunt, and even then he got under 40% of the first preferences. Popular yes, but let's not kid ourselves.

MyStubbleItches

kunst nugget wrote: »

His radio show is an absolute gem.

It sure is. He's the most natural presenter I've heard and his love of Ireland is a joy. A pure gent too I'd imagine.

jamesbere

Very few women posted, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson should be worth a mention.

Lt Dan

Mary Kennedy - still absolutely gorgeous. Mariam O'Challaghan couldn't hold a candle to her when it comes to style, looks and personality

Marty Morrissey - A gentleman. Remember bumping into him "a star from telly" when I was about 10, very nicely cheered me up when he saw me waiting outside the dressing rooms (looking for autographs) , disappointed after my County lost a big game. Well able to take and give the banter at the matches. His commentary of the Clare v Cork All Ireland was brilliant - "holy moly"

Marty Whelan - seems to be a good lad

Paul McGrath - seriously, what a bunch of idiots people are, not referring to The Man

Padraig Harrington - Always positive, always smiling, always wish he does well, gave us some special nights in 2008,

Bernard Dunne - Just for the entertainment and joy he gave , having his fights on RTE. St Patricks Weekend 2009 was some day. Grand Slam, a few good wins at Cheltenham, Dunne becoming the world Champion

Daniel O'Donnell - No time for his music myself, (grandmother played it to death) but, really, not sure anyone could dislike the man. A decent auld sort , and has kept many a Granny and even mammy entertained with that auld twee nonsense.

Dermott Morgan - Well, some might not have got him, RTE did not know what to do with him, but Scrap Saturday was brilliant. And Fr Ted

batistuta9

if all these people an an event/performance/night/whatever on at the same time, I reckon conor mcgregor or brendan o'carroll would get the biggest attendance

maudgonner

batistuta9 wrote: »

if all these people an an event/performance/night/whatever on at the same time, I reckon conor mcgregor or brendan o'carroll would get the biggest attendance

I reckon they're two of the most divisive people when it comes to popularity in Ireland. You either love them or hate them. Gay Byrne would probably be in that category as well.

Water John

Some one asked who Francis Brennan was? Did you not know he is Bishop Brennan's brother?

batistuta9

maudgonner wrote: »

I reckon they're two of the most divisive people when it comes to popularity in Ireland. You either love them or hate them. Gay Byrne would probably be in that category as well.

Yeah they probably are, I doubt any of the others would pull their numbers though, those two would probably get multiples of the rest mentioned

Not even gaybo, maybe the pope if he showed up

Water John

Olivia O'Leary is some one I would like as President.

Water John

Not a fan of MMA, but people are mixing up Conor McGregor's public prematch persona with the real person.

conorhal

irishfeen wrote: »

Michael D. Higgins by a landslide I would think, certainly the most popular politician in modern times .. Very rare if ever I have found someone who dislikes the man.

You must be living under a rock so! I know very few people that has the slightest bit of time for that self-important trough snout.

Dots1982

Christy Moore

The YOPPA

Lt Dan wrote:

Paul McGrath - seriously, what a bunch of idiots people are, not referring to The Man

Maybe if you had read through the comments you'd have seen people mention Paul McGrath...you weren't the first...I was