The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I've just posted a new events listing for the Enniskillen Winter Arts Festival - short notice, but the details only arrived today.
However, clicking through the listings options I discovered that, according to The Session, Ireland only has five counties. Fermanagh was missing.
Obviously, there's been connivance between the bould Bertie and Peter Hain and some swap has been arranged. So which county from the 26 will suddenly appear within Norn Iron? Please state your preference and reason.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
B**gger, b**gger, b**ger and untold blasphemies beyond!
I meant to write that, according to The Sesh, Norn Iron only had five counties!
For failing to proofread my own inept comment I hereby condemn myself to a fortnight watching the Irish version of 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' in which contestants struggle to understand the Ianród Éireann timetable.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Fermanagh is the only one England ever really wanted: it proffers outstanding coarse fishing to which legions of English anglers resort. As most of these are thought to be Labour voters, a quick confab in high places made it easier than it might have been to smuggle it through, and it's now tucked away in a secret location in the West Midlands, where many coarse fishermen live in marginal constituencies.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I'd have to agree with Ptargiman - what about the other 27? I know that in politics this 26/6 divide still exists but I'd have thought that as far as musicians are concerned "Ireland is Ireland" and it would make it a lot easier having to do just one search in the "session" section of the yellow board for any session on the island - sorry I've been wanting to get that off my chest for years and this thread offered the opportunity!
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
We (Britain) get Leitrim. They (the Republic) get Kilburn. All right, Kilburn's somewhat the ugly sister, but where in Leitrim can you get authentic East African cuisine, Middle Eastern fruit and veg, Lithuanian bread, two tube stations and two overground stations, night buses, a specialist accordion shop, an art cinema *and* a weekly session? Although, I'm probably underestimating how cosmopolitan Ireland is these days.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I have, it means we would win nothing, at least I can taunt Tyrone people with "5 Ulsters in a row" at present. Mind you, our minors did well the last two years.
All good musicians as well, just to keep on the topic.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
David - Fermanagh's got better caves than Chislehurst. Why don't we swap Chislehurst for Fermanagh instead? (means we get rid of a load of old woolly tories as well as acquiring stalactites and stalagmites.)
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
"Why don't we swap Chislehurst for Fermanagh instead?"
Just one problem with that, Danny - They're both already in the UK.
Unless you're actually talking about swapping their geographical positions. But I don't think you could fit the whole of Fermanagh into the London Borough of Bromley. Not without reducing its size considerably, which would spoil it all - the Cuilcagh Mountains would be no bigger than the North Dowhs. And imagine Chislehurst expanded to fill the space of Fermanagh - suburban residential streets 30 miles long, 4-by-4s 100 feet high.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Dave,
>Just one problem with that, Danny - They're both already in the UK.
Oh yeah, never thought of that :-{
- A mere technicality, though.
To help fill the space vacated by Fermanagh perhaps we could add Hammersmith to Chislehurst.
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
We would be happy to have Cathal McConnell, but there is not enough water left in Southern England to brew his requirements. It would have to come from the huge lake created by the removal of Fermanagh.
The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I've just posted a new events listing for the Enniskillen Winter Arts Festival - short notice, but the details only arrived today.
However, clicking through the listings options I discovered that, according to The Session, Ireland only has five counties. Fermanagh was missing.
Obviously, there's been connivance between the bould Bertie and Peter Hain and some swap has been arranged. So which county from the 26 will suddenly appear within Norn Iron? Please state your preference and reason.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by MacCruiskeen
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
What Geoff, you say - "Ireland only has five counties." - sh!t!, what happened to the other 27?
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
B**gger, b**gger, b**ger and untold blasphemies beyond!
I meant to write that, according to The Sesh, Norn Iron only had five counties!
For failing to proofread my own inept comment I hereby condemn myself to a fortnight watching the Irish version of 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' in which contestants struggle to understand the Ianród Éireann timetable.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by MacCruiskeen
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I understand the Iarnród Eireann timetable perfectly. My reading of it is: "take the bus".
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Fermanagh is the only one England ever really wanted: it proffers outstanding coarse fishing to which legions of English anglers resort. As most of these are thought to be Labour voters, a quick confab in high places made it easier than it might have been to smuggle it through, and it's now tucked away in a secret location in the West Midlands, where many coarse fishermen live in marginal constituencies.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by nicholas
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I'd have to agree with Ptargiman - what about the other 27? I know that in politics this 26/6 divide still exists but I'd have thought that as far as musicians are concerned "Ireland is Ireland" and it would make it a lot easier having to do just one search in the "session" section of the yellow board for any session on the island - sorry I've been wanting to get that off my chest for years and this thread offered the opportunity!
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
If the Republic get Fermanagh, we want Clare. Not for music reasons, just to annoy Bannerman. (smiley)
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
We (Britain) get Leitrim. They (the Republic) get Kilburn. All right, Kilburn's somewhat the ugly sister, but where in Leitrim can you get authentic East African cuisine, Middle Eastern fruit and veg, Lithuanian bread, two tube stations and two overground stations, night buses, a specialist accordion shop, an art cinema *and* a weekly session? Although, I'm probably underestimating how cosmopolitan Ireland is these days.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
There are of course five counties with a border on Lough Neagh. (Within Northern Ireland) the only one that does not is Fermanagh.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by richrua
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Bodhran Bliss, Think what your suggestion would do for Ulster hurling - C'mon the Banner!!
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
I have, it means we would win nothing, at least I can taunt Tyrone people with "5 Ulsters in a row" at present. Mind you, our minors did well the last two years.
All good musicians as well, just to keep on the topic.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
David - Fermanagh's got better caves than Chislehurst. Why don't we swap Chislehurst for Fermanagh instead? (means we get rid of a load of old woolly tories as well as acquiring stalactites and stalagmites.)
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Rudall the time
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Can we keep Clare and 'donate' Cork instead?!!
Just 'cos
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by ceoltoir2010
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Cork? ah come on now, foreget this pariochalism .... let's take our chance and be rid of Dublin.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by the wounded hussar
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
But slagging the palers is what unifies the rest of us!
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by ceoltoir2010
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
"Why don't we swap Chislehurst for Fermanagh instead?"
Just one problem with that, Danny - They're both already in the UK.
Unless you're actually talking about swapping their geographical positions. But I don't think you could fit the whole of Fermanagh into the London Borough of Bromley. Not without reducing its size considerably, which would spoil it all - the Cuilcagh Mountains would be no bigger than the North Dowhs. And imagine Chislehurst expanded to fill the space of Fermanagh - suburban residential streets 30 miles long, 4-by-4s 100 feet high.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
While there are plenty of very coarse fishermen in the West Midlands, I don't think Firm Anna is there. Perhaps it's been abducted by Aileens?
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by LastToFinish
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Niamh, I'll see your Cork and raise you a Lisburn.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Has Cathal MacConnell ( sp? ) declared UDI, perhaps ?
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
Dave,
>Just one problem with that, Danny - They're both already in the UK.
Oh yeah, never thought of that :-{
- A mere technicality, though.
To help fill the space vacated by Fermanagh perhaps we could add Hammersmith to Chislehurst.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Rudall the time
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
We would be happy to have Cathal McConnell, but there is not enough water left in Southern England to brew his requirements. It would have to come from the huge lake created by the removal of Fermanagh.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by nicholas
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
On the blind, Conán? Hmmmm....
I'm in!
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by ceoltoir2010
Re: The Five Counties - whatever happened to Fermanagh?
All this is not really surprising,after all the prods think Ulster has only six counties!
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by Musicofireland