Weather: Hi 9°C / Lo 4°C
Ian Paisley says yes to Irish language radio’s request for an interview
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
enlarge
Print
Email
Belfast's Irish language radio station has landed a major scéal speisialta — scoop — in an interview with former First Minister Ian Paisley.
In it, the DUP leader talks of his long interest in St Patrick and his admiration for the sacrifices and dedication of great Irish figures like St Colomba.
The famous ‘no’ man of Ulster politics said ‘yes’ to the interview when approached at an |exhibition he was opening with former Belfast Lord Mayor and Ulster Unionist Party MLA Ian Adamson.
But the ex-Free Presbyterian Moderator speaks only in English during the five-to-six minute question and answer session which Raidió Fáilte 107.1FM is to broadcast later this week.
Station manager Fergus Ó hÍr said the piece was part of its |mission to endeavour to prove that Irish is a common cultural heritage which belongs to everyone.
And he played down the piece as evidence of changing unionist attitudes towards the Irish language, which was one of the issues at the centre of the stand-off between Sinn Fein and the DUP which prevented Executive meetings for five months last year.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it, but all of this helps towards a point where the Irish language becomes normalised and people realise it is there for their enjoyment, if they wish to enjoy it, and not being forced on them,” he said.
“I would say it is very much in keeping with our position on the Irish language, as part of the cultural heritage of everyone and does not belong to one section or group in society.”
The station, which has been going for almost two and a half years, has also in the past interviewed former DUP Culture Minister Edwin Poots, who rejected proposals for Irish language legislation, and broadcast special programmes on the anniversary of the death of former Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine.
Mr Paisley spoke at the launch of an exhibition of a painting entitled Amra Cholum Cille (an elegy for St Colmcille) in the Cregagh Library in Belfast last week when he was approached by intrepid Raidió Fáilte reporter Caoimhe Ní Chathail and readily agreed to talk. The North Antrim MP has always been in touch with his Irish side — he once said: “I would never repudiate the fact that I am an Irishman” — and talks of his view of the importance of “the sacrifices, of the dedication and of the heritage of these great men like Colomba and Patrick and others”.
The interview can be heard on Raidió Fáilte 107.1fm or on www.raidiofailte.com this Friday, January 16, at 1pm.
Post a comment
Limit: 500 characters
View all comments that have been posted about this article
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use.
Posts submitted in UPPERCASE letters will be rejected.
No you aren't a bigot because it's your right to be determined both Irish and British and you know it. You are a bigot based on your posting history, whether you are a wind up merchant or not that cannot be determined but based on your posts it is clear to contributers on this board that you are indeed a bigot. Denying it only makes you look even more foolish. Such a shame.
Posted by Barry | 15.01.09, 15:43 GMT
So I'm the bigot because it is my right to be determined as both British & Irish?
Others scoff but I'm the bigot because I challenge them on this?
Right, I see.
Think it's pretty clear who the bigots are....
Posted by mickey | 15.01.09, 11:48 GMT
I find Mickey's innane ramblings pretty funny myself for the same reason, I think only a sort of caricature of a bigot could come out with the nonsense he does. I also like the way he challenges people to substantiate their claims of his bigotry knowing full well that the comment function on this site doesn't allow for such evidence to be pulled up, not to mention that comments only go back as far as 10 pages then they are lost forever. Pretty handy if you wish to rewrite your own particular history on this site. Not forgetting the challenge to get your side across swiftly followed by the 'No, thought not' signalling the end of discussion. I wonder will this post get through as I would like to challenge this bigotry to find out why he does what he does.
Posted by Barry | 14.01.09, 16:05 GMT
Mickey, I believe in the denial of rights to all 'nonsensical' bigots. Don't you? No, thought not...
Posted by Mark | 14.01.09, 12:04 GMT
Im Northern Irish, but my passport says Im a british citizen
People from scotland call themselves Scottish but on their passport says they are British citizens
People from Wales call themselves Welsh but on their passport it says they are British Citizens
People from England call themselves English but on their passport it says they are British Citizen.. and thats funny how?
what really is funny is how proud irish people like Tom have to pay the British government they hate so much, tax and use British currency etc etc- how that must pain you
Posted by Neill | 14.01.09, 11:11 GMT
Mark & Tom unable to substantiate their nonsensical postings. Why do they bother?!
Are you suggesting I ought to be denied by right to be determined as BOTH British & Irish?
No, thought not....
Posted by mickey | 14.01.09, 11:04 GMT
Francis (05:33) - are you slydexic by birth or race?
Posted by Perry | 13.01.09, 20:02 GMT
ian paisley is a perfect example of the old saying
" only the good die young" he has been around for a long time
Posted by fourleafmommy | 13.01.09, 19:38 GMT
As a regular reader of Mickeys' musings I have come to the conclusion that his comments are solely intended to raise belly laughs! He couldn't possibly be serious...........could he?
Posted by Mark | 13.01.09, 16:06 GMT
The OLD MAN is softening. Good news for all. At last Paisley admits that he is an "Irishman." Hope springs eternal.
Posted by Jim Guinnessey | 13.01.09, 14:20 GMT
Irish by birth, british by race.
absolutely brilliant stuff. Thanks I needed that.
Posted by Tom | 13.01.09, 13:49 GMT
same old arguments on this website again this year then! Born in NI ie Northern Irish or Irish if you like, NI part of the UK ie British. I dont see why his comments are causing such a debate! I totally feel the same way as Dr Paisley!
Posted by HAM | 13.01.09, 13:49 GMT
Tom: "Hilarious stuff"
Expand if you will/can.
Posted by mickey | 13.01.09, 13:26 GMT
Francis, no Ulster Scot would EVER call themselves "English"! May I suggest that you learn to speak and write English before you try to learn Irish?
Posted by Centaur | 13.01.09, 13:19 GMT
Irish by birth, british by race.
Posted by jay | 13.01.09, 12:04 GMT
One can be British & Irish in the same way one can be British & Scottish.
Hilarious stuff.
Posted by Tom | 13.01.09, 11:28 GMT
get your drift Fancis - just a pity you dont write very well!!
Posted by HEY | 13.01.09, 10:14 GMT
"The North Antrim MP has always been in touch with his Irish side — he once said: “I would never repudiate the fact that I am an Irishman”"
It would be a bit silly if he did, I mean he's from Northern Ireland after all.
One can be British & Irish in the same way one can be British & Scottish.
Posted by mickey | 13.01.09, 09:38 GMT
the people who ethnical identify themselves as ulster scots who in the past said they were english are now realizing the the languange of the scots is erse whiich is gaelic. the jacobites were king jamess men the same people the you are against on orangeman day when you are the organisation on this earth who celebrates a victory of william of orange against his daughter law.
Posted by Francis loughrey | 13.01.09, 05:33 GMT