Martin O'Neill on Irishness (Part 2)

Here is the Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill addressing Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland, speaking on the theme 'What it means to be Irish'. This was a lecture conducted in December '08 on the Irish identity to an audience made up largely of young college students as well as President Mary McAleese.

The Villa manager discusses amongst other things growing up in a nationalist family, his experiences playing for Northern Ireland and his overall thoughts on his Irish identity.

In this part, Martin O'Neill talks about his disappointment in the GAA, the IRA bombing of the British mainland and the backlash it caused for Irish people, becoming captain of NI and his experience of the World Cup, his experience with Celtic and more. Enjoy.

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• O'Neill
• Irishness
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[e3hammer]

As an Englishmen and a British Unionist, it's people like Martin O'Neil that both sides of the Irish sea, both sides of of the Irish divide and both sides of Britain and Ireland can look up to.

Good luck for the future Martin.

[bigdale69]

well done martin, your a great man and a great ambassador for northern ireland from an ulster protestant

[mrorange101]

A top man in every sense of the world and if only it were men like Martin O'Neil running Northern Ireland than the bigoted hate mongering idiots we have now from both sides of the community are country would be a far better place.

[hallicks]

Thanks for sharing. Really insightful interview. 

[shanksy67]

@toneyabone obviously your just an idiot that I doubt anybody takes seriously.

[toneyabone]

specky biggot who potrays himself as an academic.. Long ball merchant who would have loved to be Brian Clough. completed one year at university... embarassingly wore the same track suit as Clough ( see Paul Lambert )

[phfishilip]

@e3hammer well said.

[jocksmen]

@fuckthehuns1 2TRUE AND NOW LIKE US

villa R SUFFERING.

hail hail.

[brumboru]

God Bless you Martin from an Irish decent Villa fan in Egham Surrey !

[johnanthonyp]

This man is stunning. you can feel his repression. He has the best story in football. Apparentallly he wanted to study law but Clough wanted him to play on the wing. He accepted. And he never resented it......

[galso]

North men south men comrades all

[FootyFanEire]

Well said. a top man martiin is. he has a unique quality compared to some of the other managers these days. something very special .