What are your views on Multiculturalism in Ireland? - Threadbanned User List in OP

Some Muslim majority countries, yes.

but not all.

TBH I think assimilation is no longer an option. It was possible when countries were more isolated, and populations didn't move around so much. But with the scope of telecommunications, the internet, the media, etc people are far more connected than before, and it's easier to maintain connections with your native culture while living abroad. I spent over a decade in China, and even with internet restrictions, I could keep in touch with family, and Ireland easily.

The point is that there's no benefit to assimilation anymore. Previously, as a migrant even if you gained citizenship, you were still a foreigner, lacking many of the protections and benefits of being a native person. Assimilation was the way to gain acceptance by your neighbors and your local area, in addition to the legal benefits. Now, there's no need for that because we're multicultural (whether we want it or not). People are expected to be different... and the sense of community that used to be so common, is dead in most towns/cities. It's just not there anymore.. except for tribal groups of migrant cultures.. so again, no reason to assimilate because that would mean losing access to your own cultural connections.

Assimilate into what though? Western culture is under attack from within. Our values, and beliefs are no longer fashionable, and common sense is essentially dead. We're all on the guilt trip train... and very few of our cultural values remain untarnished.

You see, the question about Irish culture tends to bother me, because I don't know what is Irish culture anymore. TBH, I don't know what is any individual western nations culture is anymore. From living outside Europe, I learned the difference was more to do with values. A perception about honesty and a dislike of corruption. That's common in northern European countries, but the opposite in Mediterranean countries. The importance of individual rights and expression. Sure, that's a part of western culture, and so on.

That's what I tend to think of when it comes to assimilation. What is different from other cultural groups? The values we place importance on, not just publicly (which is often bs) but what we hold to be important on a local level. However, I see our values declining in importance over time, and there being very little actual difference with other continental groups. But maybe, that's just me.

In any case, my original question remains... assimilate into what?

Perhaps, although I'd say the evolution and growth in influence of the social sciences has shown that we no longer have any real connection with the attributes you listed above. They're all under attack, whether that's under the guise of race theory, gender theory, feminism, etc.. and those attacks are expanding in scope. Sure, we could say that's just the US, but it's not anymore.

TBH I barely recognise Irish culture now after living over a decade abroad. I don't see the values that we used to hold so dear as being important anymore. They've given way to various groups "rights", or the destruction of various institutions that previously served to provide boundaries on behavior, and the enforcement of codes of morality. It's all connected.

And I'm not saying it's all doomed to fail in the end. Cultures go through cycles, and reversals of change. In many ways, western culture has become less individualistic and more collectivist over the last two decades. In pushing for individual rights, the rights and beliefs of others are being trampled, and that encourages a range of bitterness/anger which can only manifest in a pushback. TBH I suspect within the next 2-3 decades, we'll be seeing a return to a much more traditional and controlled society/culture, more in line with pre-WW2 cultures... simply because there's been too much change without real consideration for what comes after.

However, it comes back to what people are supposed to assimilate into, and what motivation exists to do so? (when they can get all benefits and privilege without needing to assimilate) (and there being no agreed framework for the culture they're supposed to adopt)

BTW, I'm not against assimilation. I believe it's the only real answer to immigration in large numbers... but realistically, I wonder if it's even possible anymore.

Good job we control our immigration here in this country!

It should be monitored and regulated the same as any other border. Covid has reinforced the need for this considering the lack of measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus during periods when Ireland was locked down, but the North wasn't, and had elevated numbers of people with the virus. Similar problems with Irish people going to the UK, or British people coming here for sports events or entertainment. The same counts for immigration.

TBH I've never agreed with there being a soft border with the North, and we should be examining every person who seeks to enter the Republic (while also keeping note of those who leave).

Being 100% Irish means being born to two Irish parents. Not that being born to one means someone is less irish, if that what they consider themselves.

Irish culture is whatever people believe it to be. We can claim Irish music, dance, food etc but as you point out, these things change over time. Some Irish people have no interest in traditional 'Irish culture' that doesn't make them any less Irish then someone who plays the bodhran while dancing the siege of Ennis.

There are non Irish people living in Ireland that embrace our traditionally irish culture, are they more Irish then those who dont?

I still don't understand what the issue is if 3 out of 4 people living here are ethnically Irish? What difference does it make? Sounds like something that is said to scare people.