Was Ireland always this bleek/depressing, or is it just me?

bo0li5eumx12kp

Holy smokes.

I visited some relatives over the weekend, from the old country, hadn't seen them in the longest time.

It's weird I was completely overcome with nostalgia.

Reminds me of when I was growing up, that environment.

I think we forget what a rain soaked dump Ireland was before had billions of euros pumped into our economy and became a home for multinational companies, by way of joining the european union.

Memories from childhood - a poorly insulated ice box house, dreary dull atmosphere, insane loco wildchild kids running about, raining outside and not a neon light for miles around.

See I ditched Ireland at every opportunity and bounced entirely when I was afforded the opportunity to do so.
Not saying other cultures are necessarily a whole lot better, but Christ - I mean, I feel like that ruralism (which largely defines Ireland) needs to be injected with an eye rolling dose of meth.

I can't express my detest and loathing of the advocacy for that underdevelopment and quiet, cold, isolated rural living.

The most lively, upbeat, forward thinking, positive, productive atmosphere and fun city I've ever been is not Rome, not London, not New York - no.

But Amsterdam.

What separates Amsterdam as being in my mind, the optimized city, the optimized culture?
It's not Dutch culture - hell no - rolling wheels of cheese through shopping malls and clopping along in wooden shoes - no.

It's that Amsterdam reflects a culture not of Holland, but a culture of integration.

What underpins this integration, is the collective attitude that defines the city - which is to have fun; open minded, liberal, but controlled, well kept, and well policed - state legitimized fun.

......

My point being, I hate historical Irish dullness and I think state legitimization of prostitution by way of a potential upcoming bill spearheaded by the Irish department of justice via Helen McEntee - could spark the most profound cultural revolution in the entire, bleek, oppressive history of our rain soaked little Atlantic Isle.

......

:eek:

Mehaffey1

I don't give a 'Dam.

jimboblep

AVB did it better

Smee_Again

It’s definitely just you.

bo0li5eumx12kp

Smee_Again wrote: »

It’s definitely just you.

Oh yeah why?

Substantiate your claim.

COVID

Was Ireland always this bleek/depressing, or is it just me?

JohnnyFlash

jimboblep wrote: »

AVB did it better

I think AVB loves Ireland - the seafood and cheese, the hurling, the expensive links golf courses, his tastefully decorated holiday home on the west coast etc. It's the majority of people on the island that he isn't too keen about.

murpho999

Jaysus were to start on this?

You live in Holland and call Ireland rain soaked?

Lived there for 7 years and hated the place.

All the towns look the same, all the houses are the same as redbrick colour. The people are lovely, and friendly but dull as dishwater. Regimented , conservative (despite Dutch reputation) and just don't know how to enjoy themselves.

Think Irish people have more "oomph" in them than most countries but definitely more than the Dutch.

As for Amsdterdam, it's ok but not for me. They're trying to get rid of prostitution and sex and drug tourists as the city wants to change its reputation and the problems that it brings.

Also, you talk about "billions being pumped" into ireland as if it was an accident or a benevolent act by other countries and/or corporations and nothing to do with Ireland's own successful economic policies..

Smee_Again

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

Oh yeah why?

Substantiate your claim.

https://touch.boards.ie/search/?userid=901414&sort=newest&threads=1

Tom Mann Centuria

COVID wrote: »

Was Ireland always this bleek/depressing, or is it just me?

A bleek is just something you get on a blird

Errashareesh

Well the winter, which lasts from October to May makes it seem that way, but otherwise it is utterly incomparable to the Ireland of 30+ years ago. I don't think anyone who remembers has forgotten that. If anything it'd be clear to them how much better things are now.

Realt Dearg Sec

Were self-aggrandizing, condescending Boards trolling posts always this badly written/predictable, or is it just me?

hurikane

Holy Jesus, please tell us deprived some more stories of the far off land you have traveled?

jmlad2020

You've been smoking too much of the green stuff my friend

looksee

See if you need neon lights, contrived entertainment, drugs and alcohol to consider a place worth living in, then yes rural Ireland is not the place for you.

So instead of trying to spread superior, totally humourless, gloom and despondency among those of us who live here and like the place, maybe just go back to wherever you are living at the moment.

gmisk

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

Holy smokes.

I visited some relatives over the weekend, from the old country, hadn't seen them in the longest time.

It's weird I was completely overcome with nostalgia.

Reminds me of when I was growing up, that environment.

I think we forget what a rain soaked dump Ireland was before had billions of euros pumped into our economy and became a home for multinational companies, by way of joining the european union.

Memories from childhood - a poorly insulated ice box house, dreary dull atmosphere, insane loco wildchild kids running about, raining outside and not a neon light for miles around.

See I ditched Ireland at every opportunity and bounced entirely when I was afforded the opportunity to do so.
Not saying other cultures are necessarily a whole lot better, but Christ - I mean, I feel like that ruralism (which largely defines Ireland) needs to be injected with an eye rolling dose of meth.

I can't express my detest and loathing of the advocacy for that underdevelopment and quiet, cold, isolated rural living.

The most lively, upbeat, forward thinking, positive, productive atmosphere and fun city I've ever been is not Rome, not London, not New York - no.

But Amsterdam.

What separates Amsterdam as being in my mind, the optimized city, the optimized culture?
It's not Dutch culture - hell no - rolling wheels of cheese through shopping malls and clopping along in wooden shoes - no.

It's that Amsterdam reflects a culture not of Holland, but a culture of integration.

What underpins this integration, is the collective attitude that defines city - which is to have fun; open minded, liberal, but controlled, well kept, and well policed.

......

My point being, I hate historical Irish dullness and I think state legitimization of prostitution by way of a potential upcoming bill spearheaded by the Irish department of justice via Helen McEntee - could spark the most profound cultural revolution in the entire, bleek, oppressive history of our rain soaked little Atlantic Isle.

......

:eek:

They are all stoned.

Amsterdam is grand btw I like it, dutch people are w tad dour to be honest. It isn't some utopia of integration it has its own issues around drugs especially

cgcsb

Your post seems to be about rural vs urban rather than Irish vs the outside world. You claim that rural sentimentality dominates Ireland. But only in government policy and the media. Day to day life in Irish Cities are far from miserable, present pandemic excluded.

Also I'm gonna call bull on Amsterdam there. I do like the Dam but it's a poor cousin of Dublin in almost every respect. Amsterdams lively atmosphere has absolutely nothing to do with Dutch people who mostly hate themselves

Ten of Swords

Ah Lappy, we've been here before.

You've dressed up a whole post with about a thousand words of distraction and fluff when all you really want to talk about is this

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

I think state legitimization of prostitution by way of a potential upcoming bill spearheaded by the Irish department of justice via Helen McEntee - could spark the most profound cultural revolution

But of course you know the AH mods would not like that very much, eh?

hurikane

Op posts thread and takes off. Their probably balls deep in a hooker and on the bag. Tell us more op.

whisky_galore

North western European country in dull weather shocker.

Rubberchikken

Ireland is anything but bleak.
We've experienced recessions and bad times but we always manage to pull through.
Fir the most part the people are decent and we'll meaning .
The scenery is some of the best you'll see anywhere.
All depending on the type of person you are, but even nirvana could be deemed bleak if you choose to see it that way.
If you don't like this country, nobody's asking you to visit or stay.

3d4life

@OP if you want to live like The Dutch then go live in Holland

bo0li5eumx12kp

cgcsb wrote: »

Your post seems to be about rural vs urban rather than Irish vs the outside world. You claim that rural sentimentality dominates Ireland. But only in government policy and the media. Day to day life in Irish Cities are far from miserable, present pandemic excluded.

Also I'm gonna call bull on Amsterdam there. I do like the Dam but it's a poor cousin of Dublin in almost every respect. Amsterdams lively atmosphere has absolutely nothing to do with Dutch people who mostly hate themselves

I don't know about hating themselves but yeah, that was half the point.

Amsterdam culture is not a function of dutch culture specifically - ironic as they built the city.

It's a function of integration, which maybe they were obliged to accommodate.

As for poor cousin of Dublin - hell no, laughably no.
Public transport for starters.

Realt Dearg Sec

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

I don't know about hating themselves but yeah, that was half the point.

Amsterdam culture is not a function of dutch culture specifically - ironic as they built the city.

It's a function of integration, which maybe they were obliged to accommodate.

As for poor cousin of Dublin - hell no, laughably no.
Public transport for starters.

Will legalising hoors make the buses run on time?

NcdJd

Fair play the op finally got his hole. Amsterdam is lovely until the money runs out. Then back to dreary old Ireland with ya.

Badly Drunk Boy

Why would you compare rural Ireland from a few decades ago with the Sodom and Gomorrah that is Amsterdam, with its prostitution and drugs?






(I've nothing much against Amsterdam, but was only there twice.)

bo0li5eumx12kp

NcdJd wrote: »

Fair play the op finally got his hole. Amsterdam is lovely until the money runs out. Then back to dreary old Ireland with ya.

"She wants muh willy!!" - how many times I've heard that expression adorned with a celtic accent, around the red parts, the ramparts.

"Good man!!"

"Great craic!!"

"Let's go for pints!!"

.....

I hate this culture. Integration is the only way for me.

murpho999

gmisk wrote: »

They are all stoned.

Amsterdam is grand btw I like it, dutch people are w tad dour to be honest. It isn't some utopia of integration it has its own issues around drugs especially

It's not intergrated at all.

Anti immigration parties popular there for years.
,
First with LPF (Lijst Pim Fortuyn) and it's leader was assassinated in 2002 during an election campaign. A sympathy vote swept the party to power in a chaotic coalition and then got wiped out.

Now we have PVV(Partij voor vrijheid, Freedom Party) led by Geert Wilders who is a controversial anti Islamist who argues against immigration and both parties claimed that immigrants don't integrate into Dutch society.

Netherlands has a reputation as a liberal, tolerant and exciting country but I found the opposite to be true and also Dutch people also seem to think they live in a perfect utopia as well.

Having been in the UK for some time OP I have to disagree - sure our weather paints a picture but the one thing I always missed while being away was the warmth of the people - even small talk with strangers - be it in a pub or just a shop. You could stop someone in the street in Ireland to ask for directions and not be blatantly ignored. Even when things are in a bad way we find humour in it - take the recession for example.

murpho999

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

Will legalising hoors make the buses run on time?

No, they'd come on time.

NcdJd

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

"She wants muh willy!!" - how many times I've heard that expression adorned with a celtic accent, around the red parts, the ramparts.

"Good man!!"

"Great craic!!"

"Let's go for pints!!"

.....

I hate this culture. Integration is the only way for me.

First time in Amsterdam? Go out after midnight and you'll experience the "integration" your so desire.

Andrewf20

Ireland was a grim place in the 70s / 80s as we all know but a good imagination and good family / friends could lift things out of the doldrums. As an 80s kid we had very little money but I still had a very happy childhood. Part of me actually thinks that our childhoods and teen years were more happy than the current generation.

Happy4all

I read the first sentence and thought, is this Michael Flatley....

And then gave up.

DrSerious3

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

Holy smokes.

I visited some relatives over the weekend, from the old country, hadn't seen them in the longest time.

It's weird I was completely overcome with nostalgia.

Reminds me of when I was growing up, that environment.

I think we forget what a rain soaked dump Ireland was before had billions of euros pumped into our economy and became a home for multinational companies, by way of joining the european union.

Memories from childhood - a poorly insulated ice box house, dreary dull atmosphere, insane loco wildchild kids running about, raining outside and not a neon light for miles around.

See I ditched Ireland at every opportunity and bounced entirely when I was afforded the opportunity to do so.
Not saying other cultures are necessarily a whole lot better, but Christ - I mean, I feel like that ruralism (which largely defines Ireland) needs to be injected with an eye rolling dose of meth.

I can't express my detest and loathing of the advocacy for that underdevelopment and quiet, cold, isolated rural living.

The most lively, upbeat, forward thinking, positive, productive atmosphere and fun city I've ever been is not Rome, not London, not New York - no.

But Amsterdam.

What separates Amsterdam as being in my mind, the optimized city, the optimized culture?
It's not Dutch culture - hell no - rolling wheels of cheese through shopping malls and clopping along in wooden shoes - no.

It's that Amsterdam reflects a culture not of Holland, but a culture of integration.

What underpins this integration, is the collective attitude that defines city - which is to have fun; open minded, liberal, but controlled, well kept, and well policed.

......

My point being, I hate historical Irish dullness and I think state legitimization of prostitution by way of a potential upcoming bill spearheaded by the Irish department of justice via Helen McEntee - could spark the most profound cultural revolution in the entire, bleek, oppressive history of our rain soaked little Atlantic Isle.

......

:eek:

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.

hurikane

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

"She wants muh willy!!" - how many times I've heard that expression adorned with a celtic accent, around the red parts, the ramparts.

"Good man!!"

"Great craic!!"

"Let's go for pints!!"

.....

I hate this culture. Integration is the only way for me.

You’re some creep, perving on Irish lads getting their hole in the red light district.

bertiebomber

COVID wrote: »

Was Ireland always this bleek/depressing, or is it just me?

its just you

bertiebomber

traitor - yes indeed go out after midnight in Amsterdammed and see how much you like it . I hate people who trash their own heritage / country for few smokes of weed and a few dutch beers & easy women. You are cheaply bought, do stay there you and your condescending attitude.

"So what did you do this evening, dear?"

"I made a new thread on boards slagging off Ireland. And it's already got a heck of a lot of replies."

"That's nice, dear. Now run along and wash your face and brush your teeth. It's getting late."

"Mommmmm."

Montage of Feck

Half the planet is either on fire or ravaged by storms and floods, be grateful the weather were doesn't want you dead.

yer man!

Ireland may be a fairly wet and windy place, sure I was reared next to the sea in Galway! Funnily enough I live in Zuid Holland now and I have to say I would probably trade Ireland for this. The reason is no different from what others have said, the scenery and the people. I find the language barrier is still an issue here and the humour or lightheartedness of the Irish is not as prevalent. It's always a shock when I board an Aerlingus flight in schiphol and hear the cabin crew roaring laughing about something minor down in the galley, it's that quality that just makes me yearn for Ireland.

riclad

Ireland is much more modern and open to other cultures. Its no longer ruled by the church. Walk around Dublin, you will see people from many other country's
The 80s was not all bad. Rents were low. Anyone who worked could buy a house. There was not a major homeless crisis.
We were not obsessed with phones or social media. People were friendly, neighbours helped each other.
Yes some people left the country to work in the UK or USA. But many people came back as the economy improved.
Maybe you should visit poland or Russia or Turkey see what life is like in country's rules by fascist right wing governments where freedom of speech is very limited.
In comparison Ireland is a good country to live in.
Living in small rural towns can be boring , it does not suit everyone.
So many young people move to Dublin or other places

I noticed this on various threads and other online platforms a bit. Irish nationals resident in the Netherlands extolling the virtues of their adopted country, while ridiculing their country of birth. All the while posting extensively on Irish topics/ boards etc. Must be no one worth talking to there

the_syco

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

It's that Amsterdam reflects a culture not of Holland, but a culture of integration.

I admire how the Dutch was able to throw all the scum into scum cities. That wouldn't work over her, sadly. Do they also still demand any caravans sign a piece of paper authorising their caravan to be searched? Again, wouldn't work over here.

=-=

Comparing the middle of nowhere rural Ireland to Amsterdam is a bit of a stretch, though!

dxhound2005

riclad wrote: »

The 80s was not all bad. Rents were low. Anyone who worked could buy a house. There was not a major homeless crisis.
We were not obsessed with phones or social media. People were friendly, neighbours helped each other.
Yes some people left the country to work in the UK or USA. But many people came back as the economy improved.

What were the bad bits?

yer man!

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I noticed this on various threads and other online platforms a bit. Irish nationals resident in the Netherlands extolling the virtues of their adopted country, while ridiculing their country of birth. All the while posting extensively on Irish topics/ boards etc. Must be no one worth talking to there

Well I hope I don't come across as ridiculing ireland anymore than I used to when I lived there... As I do love the place and want to return. But yes, Dutchies are not easy to make friends with and I can understand as they feel comfortable speaking their native language and it's a bother for them to switch sometimes. This kinda leaves you to make friends with other expats which is grand but sometimes you just want to connect with someone that understands your culture without having to explain it, every, single, time (of course this is just my experience).

Also, there's a lot of us here now really missing a visit home too to get our fix of everything Irish.

Blondini

Ireland is a great country to live in.
Yes it rains, but other than that it's great.

Safe, clean and green.

bo0li5eumx12kp

riclad wrote: »

Ireland is much more modern and open to other cultures. Its no longer ruled by the church. Walk around Dublin, you will see people from many other country's
The 80s was not all bad. Rents were low. Anyone who worked could buy a house. There was not a major homeless crisis.
We were not obsessed with phones or social media. People were friendly, neighbours helped each other.
Yes some people left the country to work in the UK or USA. But many people came back as the economy improved.
Maybe you should visit poland or Russia or Turkey see what life is like in country's rules by fascist right wing governments where freedom of speech is very limited.
In comparison Ireland is a good country to live in.
Living in small rural towns can be boring , it does not suit everyone.
So many young people move to Dublin or other places

It's an interesting point...

Especially the dark text - what a freakin' nightmare to live in those dumps - AW LAWD!!

Still though, rural Ireland is an ongoing issue in Irish government as is the rent crisis in Dublin, the entire country wants to move there.

So, it's not like it's a completely invalid point.

There's unquestionably some work to do.

bo0li5eumx12kp

the_syco wrote: »

I admire how the Dutch was able to throw all the scum into scum cities. That wouldn't work over her, sadly. Do they also still demand any caravans sign a piece of paper authorising their caravan to be searched? Again, wouldn't work over here.

=-=

Comparing the middle of nowhere rural Ireland to Amsterdam is a bit of a stretch, though!

Forward thinking bruh.

See the rural Ireland issue, Rose of Tralee now MEP Maria Walsh is on the case, but their approach is not going to solve teh problem.

Think of it like this:

Would you compare Miami or New York to a place in the middle of the desert in America?

Of course not - until someone did.

They build a city on prostitution and neon lights - and that city is called Las Vegas.

It's like it defies gravity - a baron region in the middle of the desert isn't meant to be "the place to be" or a youth demographic hot spot.

But they took the culture, applied it there; this is what Ireland needs - the Ireland that exists outside of Dublin - and parts of Dublin also, let's face it.

Integration - by way of fun.

bo0li5eumx12kp

bertiebomber wrote: »

traitor - yes indeed go out after midnight in Amsterdammed and see how much you like it . I hate people who trash their own heritage / country for few smokes of weed and a few dutch beers & easy women. You are cheaply bought, do stay there you and your condescending attitude.

What happens after midnight?

hurikane

Alia Wrong Soil wrote: »

What happens after midnight?

You’ll have a feed of clunge and multiply.

dxhound2005

There is a huge housing crisis in the Netherlands. In the major cities, finding a place to live is expensive and difficult. But, particularly for people who want to buy their first homes, the market has become a nightmare over the last five years. A combination of regulations, population growth, and economics has left the Netherlands with way less housing than it needs.

In order for the Netherlands to have enough housing for its growing population, Minister for Home Affairs Kasja Ollongren says that 845,000 homes need to be built by 2030, when she presented the 2020 report on the state of the housing market to parliament in June 2020. By 2030, the Netherlands will have about 18.8 million inhabitants, so not only does the Netherlands need to take that into account when they’re planning for the future, but they also need to build extra to make up for the current shortage.