Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock

Northern Ireland Census records more Catholics than Protestants for the first time

A Sinn Féin MP said the results of the census clearly indicate that historic and irreversible change is underway.

LAST UPDATE | 22 Sep 2022

THE NORTHERN IRELAND Census has recorded a higher total number of Catholics than Protestants for the first time in the region’s 100-year history.

The 2021 Census, which asked people about both their current religion and religion of upbringing, shows 45.7% of Northern Ireland’s population is or was raised Catholic, while 43.5% are Protestant or another Christian religion.

It is the first time that the proportion of Catholics in the population has surpassed the number of Protestants.

The Census figures usually prompt debate over what they may mean for Northern Ireland’s future and public opinion on the question of the reunification of Ireland. 

“In 2021, the main current religions were: Catholic (42.3%); Presbyterian (16.6%); Church of Ireland (11.5%); Methodist (2.3%); Other Christian denominations (6.9%); and Other religions (1.3%),” the Census figures outline.

A bulletin document releasing the figures said that “17.4% of our population had ‘No religion’ – this is a marked increase on 2011 when 10.1% had ‘No religion’”.

“This points to the increased secularisation of our population,” the bulletin said.

“The proportion of the population in Census 2021 with ‘No religion’ ranges from 30.6% in Ards & North Down council to 7.8% in Mid Ulster council. All councils are more secular in 2021 than they were ten years ago.

“Combining current religion and religion of upbringing gives 45.7% of our population who were ‘Catholic’, 43.5% who were ‘Protestant, Other Christian or Christian related’ and 1.5% who were from other non-Christian religions.

“The remaining 9.3% of our population, or 177,400 people in Census 2021 neither belonged to nor were brought up in any religion. This group has increased in size from 2011 when 5.6% or 101,200 people were recorded in this way.”

In 2011, the Census recorded 48% of the population as being either Protestant or brought up Protestant, down five percentage points on 2001. The Catholic population that year was 45%, up one percentage point on 2001.

When asked about the census, the Taoiseach told reporters in New York:

“I think we need to be very careful about the demographics as the sensitive issue in terms of the evolution of relationships on the island of Ireland and between Britain and Ireland.”

He called the figures “interesting”, stating that what it points for him is the growth of neither identity or neither religious affiliation.

“I detect a genuine sense that people want the Good Friday Agreement to work, a lot of people in Northern Ireland want to institutions back and in our discussions with the British Prime Minister at the weekend we both agreed that the Assembly should be restored as quickly as possible, that the Assembly is restored as quickly as possible and in the recent elections for the Assembly it was very clear that the public in Northern Ireland want their politicians back at their desks, they want them working to alleviate pressures that are on households in Northern Ireland right now in respect of cost of living – and there’s funding available and allocated to relieve those pressures,” said the Taoiseach.

“So I think there’s a huge move and pressure to get the Executive back and the Assembly back, then politics will evolve, but I think we need to see politics working in the first instance and the recent Assembly elections point to the changing approaches people are taking, both in terms of the centreground parties, the Alliance in particular is illustrative of that.”

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said the results of the census clearly indicate that historic and irreversible change is underway.

“There is no doubt change is under way and irreversible. How that change is shaped moving forward requires maturity to take the challenges which face our society,” Finucane said.

“We can all be part of shaping a better future – new constitutional future and a new Ireland,” he said. 

“But we must prepare for it. The Irish government should establish a citizens’ assembly to plan for the possibility of a unity referendum,” the Sinn Féin MP added. 

“A period of planning is critical. That planning and dialogue and engagement needs to happen now, and it must include people from all backgrounds and communities.

“The partition of Ireland has been a failure. We can build a better future together, for every person who lives on this island.”

In contrast to Finucane’s comments, the DUP’s Stormont Assembly member Philip Brett warned against “lazy analysis” linking religious affiliation with public opinion on constitutional change. 

Brett said the census should not be interpreted as a “mini-referendum” on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. 

“The census publication should be about investment and shaping the public services that Northern Ireland needs in the future rather than a border poll or a sectarian headcount.

“To draw political conclusions based on the number of Protestants and Catholics is simplistic and lazy,” Brett said. 

Nuala McAllister, of the cross-community Alliance Party, highlighted the growth in the number of people not identifying with any religion. 

“It’s really important that right now it’s not about keeping one particular people in the majority, but rather creating a shared future that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of what Northern Ireland actually is,” the MLA told Radio Ulster. 

Passports

The 2021 Census also asked participants about the passport they hold.

It found a decrease in UK passports and significant increase in Irish passports, though UK passports still outnumber Irish ones.

“Over the last decade the number of people holding a UK passport, either solely or jointly, has decreased from 1,070,400 in 2011 to 1,000,200 in 2021,” the bulletin said.

“The number of people holding an Ireland passport, either solely or jointly, has increased from 375,800 in 2011 to 614,300 in 2021.

“This is consistent with information from the Department for Foreign Affairs (Ireland) on the increased demand for Ireland passports from people living in Northern Ireland.”

In relation to passports, the census also found that: 

  • 52.6% of usual residents (just over one million people) in Northern Ireland held a UK passport as either their sole passport or along with a passport for another country.
  • 32.3% (614,300 people) held an Ireland passport either solely or jointly.
  • 3.9% held a European (non-UK/Ireland) passport and 1.6% held passports from other countries in the world.

National identity

In 2011, the Census included a question on national identity for the first time.

At that time, 40% said they had a British-only national identity, 25% said they had an Irish-only identity and 21% saw their identity as being only Northern Irish.

In the 2021 Census, 31.9% described themselves as British-only, 29.1% as Irish only, and 19.8% as Northern Irish only.

“The number of people who are ‘British only’ is down from 722,400 in 2011 to 606,300 in 2021,” a statistical bulletin said.

“This fall is counterbalanced, but only partially, by increases in the number of people who identify as ‘British and Northern Irish’, up from 111,700 in 2011 to 151,300 in 2021, and by those who identify as ‘British, Irish and Northern Irish’, up from 18,400 in 2011 to 28,100 in 2021,” it said.

“In contrast, the number of people who are ‘Irish only’ is up from 457,500 in 2011 to 554,400 in 2021.

“There has also been an increase in the number of people who identify as ‘Irish and Northern Irish’, up from 19,100 in 2011 to 33,600 in 2021, and in those who identify as ‘British, Irish and Northern Irish’ up from 18,400 in 2011 to 28,100 in 2021.

“The number of people who were recorded as ‘Northern Irish only’ is broadly stable – standing at 379,300 people in 2011 and 376,400 people in 2021.

“However the total number of people identifying as either ‘British and Northern Irish’ or ‘Irish and Northern Irish’ or ‘British, Irish and Northern Irish’ is up from 149,300 people in 2011 to 213,000 people in 2021.”

The first round of figures released from the 2021 Census, published in May, showed that Northern Ireland’s population had risen to a record high of more than 1.9 million people.

Includes reporting by Press Association and Christina Finn in New York

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
104 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Collins
    Favourite Kevin Collins
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:11 AM

    More pleased about the growth in “no religion” TBH.

    903
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Mander
    Favourite Charles Mander
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:17 AM

    @Kevin Collins: i salute you commissar Collins

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:19 AM

    @Charles Mander: ironic comment.

    44
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ashling Fenton
    Favourite Ashling Fenton
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:20 AM

    @Kevin Collins: Same here. I also think the article is in bad taste.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:24 AM

    @Ashling Fenton: it’s media sh!t-stirring at its best.

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cosmological
    Favourite Cosmological
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:33 PM

    @Kevin Collins:
    Secularisation is the way forward.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SJJ
    Favourite SJJ
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:12 AM

    Riding our way to Unity

    501
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Dempsey
    Favourite Shane Dempsey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:16 PM

    @SJJ: ahahahah class

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Doyle
    Favourite Declan Doyle
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:09 AM

    Beginning of the new beginning and change…

    403
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charlie Murphy
    Favourite Charlie Murphy
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:05 PM

    @Declan Doyle: sad that we are still defining people by their religion when most people wouldn’t know what the inside of a church looked like

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pistachio 32
    Favourite pistachio 32
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 4:50 PM

    @Charlie Murphy: that’s Northern Ireland. Even more reason to erase it

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Haughey
    Favourite Aidan Haughey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:09 AM

    And so the end game is in sight.

    374
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:28 AM

    @Aidan Haughey: you mean the end of their free healthcare and better social benefits that the republic? Economically any citizen in the north is better off staying a part of the U.K. than a unification of Ireland. And as an Irish citizen , economically we are better off staying away from the economic cesspit that is the north.

    419
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phil Mc Donald
    Favourite Phil Mc Donald
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:30 AM

    @Ciaran: economically you make no sense

    351
    See 23 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Tuohy
    Favourite Mick Tuohy
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:35 AM

    @Ciaran: your comment is based on…?

    114
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:46 AM

    @Ciaran: your contradict yourself in one sentence.

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Johnson
    Favourite Joe Johnson
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:49 AM

    @Aidan Haughey: it was always going to happen took a 100yrs though

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tomo
    Favourite Tomo
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:52 AM

    @Allora: He didn’t really, because all the social benefits of living in the north (UK) are funded by Westminster. If we unified, we’d either have to remove those social benefits, or increase tax and pay up.

    139
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Murray
    Favourite Luke Murray
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:54 AM

    @Ciaran: but this would be an ecumenical matter

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Rice
    Favourite Ciarán Rice
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:08 AM

    @Ciaran: the complete contradiction in this comment is actually remarkable.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Séamus MacIonnrachtaigh
    Favourite Séamus MacIonnrachtaigh
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:10 AM

    @Ciaran: I think the fact that the government don’t seem to have any plan as to how we’re going to accommodate almost a million unionists into our country is also a huge issue.

    They are famously unreasonable people who are brought up with contempt for our nation and have a tradition of paramilitarism and celebrate violence.

    The idea that they’ll accept living in a majority catholic republic seems desperately naive to me.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Harris
    Favourite Tony Harris
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:31 AM

    @Séamus MacIonnrachtaigh: Accepting life in a majority catholic N.I. will be almost as gut wrenching for them.

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Skelly
    Favourite Ronan Skelly
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:21 PM

    @Ciaran: bit of a contradiction there I think

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Skelly
    Favourite Ronan Skelly
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:23 PM

    @Séamus MacIonnrachtaigh: they are living in a majority Catholic state already… won’t be much different

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:30 PM

    @Phil Mc Donald: economically the north is a hole that gets U.K. money heavily invested to keep it afloat. It’s not self sustainable. The strong social benefits and healthcare is as a result of Westminster pumping money into it as an obligation. How many companies do you see running to the north to set up business ?

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angela McCarthy
    Favourite Angela McCarthy
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:49 PM

    @Ciaran: The most recent IMF report on the standard of living and GDP has the southern state as the third best in the survey, while the UK comes in at number 28th. I think the view expressed by yourself Ciaran regarding the economic wellbeing of north versus south, is as outdated as the state itself. unless of course you feel Brexit and foodbanks is something we all should be aspiring to.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Favourite A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:56 PM

    @Ciaran: So, you are saying because the statelet is going so badly, there should be no change. If they join us, we will all be better off. The north will do a lot better with us than as a backwater.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron Tynan
    Favourite Aaron Tynan
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 2:06 PM

    @A Well Known Comical Stereotype: I think as an island under one economy we will all be better off but it will take a generation to get everything in order after unification.
    The major reason that northerns would appose reunification is the NHS, why would you give up free healthcare to take on private or partially private care?
    The best thing the republic could do is introduce free healthcare for the entire nation. There are many small countries that have free healthcare and make it work, Ireland can do the same.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Owens
    Favourite Paul Owens
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 2:31 PM

    @Angela McCarthy: They’re taxes are a hell of a lot lower than good old ROI.This is one of the highest taxed lands in the world and people can still buy a home in England.Tax at 50 per cent at 39.000 or over u need to be hitting well over 100000 sterling to hit that level.Ireland is also one of the highest endepted nations in the planet.Hope u have a nice salary!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Rice
    Favourite Ciarán Rice
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:09 PM

    @Paul Owens: In the U.K. you pay 40% tax on earnings over £37,700

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Gantly
    Favourite Michael Gantly
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:17 PM

    @Luke Murray: or an economical matter

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute workhorseHealth&Dad
    Favourite workhorseHealth&Dad
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:22 PM

    @Ciaran: worse social welfare than Irl.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Moran
    Favourite James Moran
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:43 PM

    @Ciaran: did you not hear what the British health minister said only today, do you really think that a two week wait to see a GP is something that we should aspire to!, the British people were sold a pup!.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M Bowe
    Favourite M Bowe
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 4:47 PM

    @Ciaran: that’s based on present day FFG conservative austerity. With real change in governance which is a lot more citizen oriented and equal then a reunified nation will prosper for ALL people of this island.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M Bowe
    Favourite M Bowe
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 4:50 PM

    @Tomo: what about the revenue which is collected from that region, which Britain refuses to quantify.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Haughey
    Favourite Aidan Haughey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 8:43 PM

    @Ciaran: As an Irish citizen I know you’re wrong. The health service in the north is a pityfull mess.. As for your opinion, hopefully in the minority .

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Coco Walsh
    Favourite Coco Walsh
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2022, 11:26 AM

    @Joe Johnson: the other 800 years of occupation don’t count then. Good to know.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Egan
    Favourite Gary Egan
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:10 AM

    A great day for the parish.

    264
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gabs90
    Favourite gabs90
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:09 AM

    Won’t be long now

    261
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Martin
    Favourite Alan Martin
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:32 AM

    It’s irrelevant, Catholics will not give up the NHS, lower taxes, owning and insuring a vehicle 40% cheaper than the south. Free visits to GPs and dental with their taxes. Housing is 40% cheaper that’s a big ask for a Utd Ireland.

    228
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Rice
    Favourite Ciarán Rice
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:18 AM

    @Alan Martin: you make valid points but you should note, that in the North, I pay more towards healthcare (that I don’t use) via tax than the €800 a year cap in the south. I am of course happy to pay it but in the south I would have paid nothing for health care in the last 3 years.

    Owning a car is obviously expensive, but in the north we pay much more for fuel as well as other utilities. We also pay significant Rates bills every year (council tax). Regarding housing, a serious issue on both sides of the border. Houses are generally cheaper in the North but the wages are, let’s be honest, bloody awful, the economy is on constant life support, there is no significant investment other than a new call centre here and there, although the tech industry in Belfast is decent.

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:36 PM

    @Ciarán Rice: Do you see the effects of your council tax? (removal of any large items, street cleaning etc) just curious, lived in London for a few decades and enjoyed the benefits of council services. Fuel seems to be almost the same if a little higher on average south of the border. If you don’t have health insurance you’re not entitled to basic care (well, you are but…), dunno about wages (everywhere seems to be not enough right now, but you know, the super-rich need more so we abide). The biggest problem for those calling for unity is that Tory Britain is still a more socially inclusive society than Ireland. While there would be obvious problems to surpass, a larger economy would be welcome tho. But no doubt it all comes down to the history of victory, trumpets, fire and all that gumph.

    12
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Haughey
    Favourite Aidan Haughey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 8:47 PM

    @Alan Martin: Wages are lower, the health service is almost gone, can’t see a gp for love nor money and mortgages are impossible. That’s the reality. You seem to have no understanding of how bad it actually is.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:11 AM

    The 17.4% number is the important one. These are the people we should be listening to in any sectarian society. They usually are a good indication of what needs to be dines. Thankfully their numbers are growing quite well which gives me hope for humanity.

    178
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Walsh
    Favourite Jason Walsh
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:13 AM

    @Allora: yup, they are the ones not swayed by religious bias or bigotry

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hector Pickaxe
    Favourite Hector Pickaxe
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:26 AM

    @Jason Walsh: I don’t think it matters too much if they are non-religious, they will still see themselves as either Irish or British. Religion is irrelevant these days

    119
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:44 AM

    @Hector Pickaxe: only true in part. They could also be neutral on being British or Irish some of whom I’ve engaged with on the Internet. Very often young twenty somethings predominantly female & see themselves as outside the status quo. It’s a mixture of pro and anti UI but the overwhelming position with this group appears to be zero hatred zero extreme politics. To me they will play a major role in the future of NI and I think we should listen to them.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hector Pickaxe
    Favourite Hector Pickaxe
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:02 AM

    @Allora: Fair point, but unfortunately they are the minority

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:07 AM

    @Hector Pickaxe: yes I accept that although it’s growing so quickly and already its nearly 1/5 of the population. I’m sure it will tail off at some point but still a significant group.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry McClatchey
    Favourite Terry McClatchey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:17 AM

    @Allora: The “no religion” group probably overlaps significantly with those who identify primarily with Northern Ireland. The wholly Irish and wholly British blocks are both well short of 50%+1. In a border poll, the group that want to be non-aligned would be faced with a binary choice and how they split would determine the result. There is every incentive for pro unity and pro unionism advocates to increase their appeal to those who are reluctant to be labelled either way.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:26 AM

    @Terry McClatchey: Im in agreement with that again in part although my information is anecdotal and conjecture at best but several women I spoke to who came with a unionist Presbyterian background although they didn’t identify as being either felt the NHS was an attractive element to them as was as they put it the stability of the British economy. When I pointed out that that was now likely to change & that the Irish economy had better prospects in the future by far outperforming the British economy she said she could easily be persuaded to live in a UI. Her view was her friends were living all over Europe and where she lived was unimportant once she had stability. I found her position to be interesting considering her background and she said her close friends group share similar values.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry McClatchey
    Favourite Terry McClatchey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:44 PM

    @Allora: Your anecdote fits well with the designation of this group (c20%) as being the “persuadables”. They are not however a block who will all jump in one direction or the other if faced with a binary vote in a border poll. That is why the specifics of a UI proposal is important if they are to make an informed decision. They are by definition non-ideologues who in the secrecy of the polling booth with be thinking what does it mean for me? Will they personally have to pay €60 to see a GP or will their public sector job be at risk? In the absence of clarity, the status quo has a powerful pull.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allora
    Favourite Allora
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:51 PM

    @Terry McClatchey: yes I agree with that analysis but my own view is waiting a while longer maybe a better option. In a border poll if a UI is rejected where to then. Michael Collins view of a united Ireland was to improve the country so much that even the unionists would wish to be part of it. I think a lot of work needs to be done before a border poll. The group we are discussing hold the key to a successful UI. They will be the measure of the readiness of the island for a UI.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angela McCarthy
    Favourite Angela McCarthy
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 2:04 PM

    @Hector Pickaxe: But religion is important to those highlighting it, lest you forget that the state was in the first instance set up on a religious head count. The British who partitioned the country and established the state, has never once described their conflict as been one of two political allegiances, but rather one of two feuding religious communities, and they themselves been the good guys in white hats trying to keep the peace between the two. London never once, spoke out against or denied the north was established as a protestant state for a protestant people.

    When, more than if, a successful border poll sees the end to the northern state, I think you will find it will be down to pure economics and what most people see what’s most likely to better their financial situation. Others will vote yes, simply because it’s the right thing to do and a century overdue!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Favourite ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:11 AM

    Sinn Féin, the most popular party, Mary Lou being introduced as Taoiseach, what’s going on at all.

    89
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Deegan
    Favourite Stephen Deegan
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:43 AM

    @⚡ Seánie ⚡: Change.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick O Connell
    Favourite Patrick O Connell
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:58 AM

    @Stephen Deegan: people in NI voted for change alright hence the huge increase in support for the Alliance Party. People are sick of SFDUP

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bri Lyons
    Favourite Bri Lyons
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:33 AM

    Most comments seem to be zoning in on the Catholic/ Protestant figures … if your thinking reunification I’d be looking at the figures about what nationality people see themselves as …. 40% British 26% Irish … reunited Ireland probably a good bit away for now

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Cresham
    Favourite Tony Cresham
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:07 PM

    @Bri Lyons: That was the 2011 figure you are quoting, a 15% gap. 2021 figures suggest it has now tightened to 29.1% Irish, and 31.9% British, a gap of just 2.8%. Given that the gap dropped by 1.2% every year, if the trend continues, which indicators suggest it should, Irish should overtake British by 2024, and that ignores the other groupings that would probably slightly favour reunification of the country or rejoining the EU. Interesting times ahead.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Crowley
    Favourite Paul Crowley
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:13 AM

    Religion is fast becoming irrelevant.

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pol Mlp
    Favourite Pol Mlp
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:24 AM

    @Paul Crowley: I wish that was the case..looking at Iran we are far from it in a worldwide sense

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:41 PM

    @Paul Crowley: Certainly is being exposed as pretty m0r0nic in terms of political allegiance atm. we’re in a time of great contradiction.

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Owens
    Favourite Paul Owens
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 2:33 PM

    @Paul Crowley: Even Stephen hawking didn’t rule out a creator and he was a lot brighter than u.I am religious but tell me that when u have to bury your loved ones!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Corcoran
    Favourite David Corcoran
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:15 AM

    We in a new world now catholic and protestestant can live side by side like we do in ths south peace to all only small minority dat dont want change but peace wins at the end of day

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Moore
    Favourite Stephen Moore
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:21 AM

    National identity is the more important question. 40% identify as British/British & Northern Irish. 31% identify as Irish/Irish & Northern Irish. 19.8% identify as Northern Irish only. The latter group could swing a border poll either way..

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daire Greene
    Favourite Daire Greene
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:15 PM

    @Stephen Moore: Correct. The gap between the two has more than halved since 2011. From 357,500 to 169,600 in 2021. Works out roughly 51 people per day over 10 years. IF this trend continued, Irish identity would be a majority in 9 years, so 2030. However, a referendum voting age would be 16 or 18. Would assume the majority 0-15 would be Irish

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Celtic Eagle
    Favourite Celtic Eagle
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:18 AM

    Good news. Let’s hope this trend continues.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Bolt
    Favourite The Bolt
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:18 AM

    I remember seeing a comedy clip years ago, depicting the poor Catholic family with 20 kids and the well to do protestant family with their 2 kids. Kind of ironic how that clip has actually come back and bit them in the a$$.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Rice
    Favourite Ciarán Rice
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:29 AM

    The most stark number here is the percentage decrease of people identifying as British Only. Nearly 10% drop.

    That will be worrying for unionists.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robbie Doyle
    Favourite Robbie Doyle
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:14 AM

    17.4% say no religion and are still lumped in with a side. This is part of the problem.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Power
    Favourite Derek Power
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:12 AM

    Breeding like Catholc rabbits

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Giovanni Casermaggio
    Favourite Giovanni Casermaggio
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:44 AM

    Reunification time has arrived

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Jamen
    Favourite Ben Jamen
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:12 AM

    As usual, this will probably be used for points scoring. What it should be used for is gauging the appetite for a United Ireland referendum and see if the majority want it now. Equality for anyone who wants it. Nobody forced to be Irish if they don’t want to be. This has to be done with the agreement of everybody or not at all. But things need to be sorted out once and for all between Ireland,Northern Ireland and the UK because this Brexit rubbish is dragging us all down.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve
    Favourite Steve
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:40 AM

    Every sperm is sacred..

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Donohue
    Favourite Noel Donohue
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:20 AM

    What difference will that make regarding a United Ireland

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:17 AM

    That whole no artificial contraception rule really is working a treat- breading like rabbits !

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute WiseUp
    Favourite WiseUp
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:47 PM

    Has anyone heard from Sammy Wilson ?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pip
    Favourite Pip
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:53 AM

    I’d love to see a breakdown of Identity by Income bracket. Presumably Low Income neighbourhoods are either staunchly Unionist or Nationalist, but it would be interesting to see the trends for the Middle Class: I reckon you’re seeing the growth in Dual / Triple Identity from them, same for the growth in No Religion.
    Hopefully the Moderates / Political Centre can continue to grow. As an outsider, it seems like the DUP are lost and the Unionist parties in general have no plan to grow soft support for the Union amongst moderates / non-religious.
    Will be interesting to see the impact of the UK Economy and the Republic’s Housing situation on the next census in 10 years.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Craig Barry
    Favourite Craig Barry
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:54 AM

    Big inference from some commenters that the majority of Catholics will vote for unity.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Rice
    Favourite Ciarán Rice
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:53 PM

    @Craig Barry: undoubtedly the majority of Catholics will vote for unity. That’s pretty much a cast iron guarantee. It won’t, however, be enough to swing a border poll.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan
    Favourite Jonathan
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:55 AM

    Great news

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Claffey
    Favourite Thomas Claffey
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:00 PM

    And about 500 go to mass.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard
    Favourite Gerard
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:49 PM

    There won’t be any reunification without an attitude adjustment down south.

    Those most fervently in favour of reunification are almost always willing to do it by 50%+1, and to F the unionists. You cannot construct any remotely functional society in that way.

    Even look at the flag. Polls show many unionists would not want this flag if reunification became inevitable. Yes, it’s ironic given the flag’s symbolism. But any of those clamouring for reunification by any means that I see online completely dismiss this: “We’re not changing the flag”.

    It’s literally just a flag. People say, rightly, “it’s supposed to mean peace between….”. Yes, great. And if you really believed in what it means, you’d have no problem changing it as an olive branch.

    Never mind that Irish people are almost always guilty of at least ONE of: describing the right colour as “gold”, incorrectly using the flag of the Ivory Coast (especially for emoji), or if not the other two, at least using the wrong proportions for it.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Favourite A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 2:06 PM

    @Gerard: The biggest problem with the flag is that it looks too much like the Italian flag. Change it.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Byrne
    Favourite Jack Byrne
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:39 AM

    And of course the Catholic Church is very much on the same page as the DUP regarding social issues (Same sex marriage, abortion etc) Funny old place Northern Ireland.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Garreth Byrne
    Favourite Garreth Byrne
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:58 AM

    What way will minority Seventh Day Adventists, zen Buddhists, Hare Krishna devotees, lepidopterists, Confucians and Rastafarians vote?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoghan O'Murchú
    Favourite Eoghan O'Murchú
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:41 AM

    I have quoted the hippie mantra of the 60′s since the ‘troubles’ began and that is if the nationalists in the six counties had ‘Made Love, Not War’ it would have had a massive long term effect on the situation in the six counties. It would have been a huge economic drain on the finances in London with them having to organise schools, health, welfare etc. for the growing nationalist population. Meanwhile the new little treasures would have been, year after year, quietly heading towards voting age…….

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve O'Hara-Smith
    Favourite Steve O'Hara-Smith
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:28 AM

    @Eoghan O’Murchú: Only catch is that NI would have wound up with a population density like the Netherlands – which I suppose would be great for our tourist industry.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pip
    Favourite Pip
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:15 PM

    @Stephen Moore @Bri Lyons: What’s interesting to me is the numbers for Religion v Identity:
    46% raised Catholic but only 32% identify fully or part Irish
    43% raised Protestant with 41% identifying as fully or part British

    Given the changes from 2011 to 2021, is that historically Catholics were much more likely to drop their Irish identity for Northern Irish only, but that it’s now changing with rise in Irish Identity (+4%) despite only a slight increase in Catholics (+1%)

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scott Coulter
    Favourite Scott Coulter
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:23 AM

    Catholics up to no good again.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alice Charles
    Favourite Alice Charles
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 2:16 PM

    N. Ireland was founded as ‘a Protestant State for a Protestant people’ thankfully that is no more. Time for the creation of an inclusive N. Ireland that is focused on meeting the needs of all its people regardless of religion.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Tierney
    Favourite Eamonn Tierney
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 10:57 AM

    The Meaning of Life

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Bolt
    Favourite The Bolt
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:14 AM

    @Eamonn Tierney: Is that where I saw the clip I mentioned earlier, where the Catholic family with all the kids and the well to do protestant family?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Jones
    Favourite Lisa Jones
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:25 PM

    @The Bolt: Yes it was Monty Pyton’s The Meaning of life.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Byrne
    Favourite Jack Byrne
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:30 AM

    And of course the Catholic Church are completely on the same page regarding social issues. (same sex marriage, abortion etc) Funny old place Northern Ireland.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barrycelona
    Favourite Barrycelona
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 1:47 PM

    The BASELINE here is that Unionists try and protect their identity in the same way as we do in the 26 counties. But because they are in a more precarious position than us, their reactions reflect their ‘backs to the wall’ situation, which we do not find ourselves in. Policy-wise, there is no difference between the likes of the Healy-Raes and Donaldson and Poots in defending their own/interests. I would be more worried about SF’s practical plan for reunification than the Govt, because I think the Govt doesn’t see reunification in the next 20 years and the Govt are still depending on the E.U. to deal with transition, although the Govt should be planning for it now. For starters radical reform of the Gardai will be needed.

    It does bother me that SF and Unionist TD’s will dominate Dail proceedings, to the detriment of the rest of us but am hopeful that the younger generation who have not lived through the ‘troubles’, the ‘fading’ of religion, and the economic goals of a United Ireland will overcome these obstacles.

    P.S.’s The most interesting stat was that 32% identify as Brits and only 29% as Irish, given Catholics outnumber Protestants. To say that we live in a Catholic state is an insult to us all, look at mass attendance figures.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noshah Monk
    Favourite Noshah Monk
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:07 PM

    Irish flag with 32 stars representing 32 counties

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lesidees
    Favourite Lesidees
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:55 PM

    A million UK passport holders v 600 thousand with Irish passports.

    Anecdotally, a lot of Unionists have applied for Irish passports since Brexit. If that’s the case, then there must be a lot of Catholics who hold UK passports.

    That suggests that, even if they may identify as nationalists, they don’t identify strongly enough as nationalists to want an Irish passport.

    Any Catholic UK passport holding readers willing to enlighten us?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sumsoar Khan
    Favourite Sumsoar Khan
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:16 PM

    Very interesting that the number of people identifying as “Northern Irish” has dropped.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory Wilson
    Favourite Rory Wilson
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 11:53 AM

    There is a third option for N. Ireland – - Have any of you clever fellows figured it out yet?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Garreth Byrne
    Favourite Garreth Byrne
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 12:00 PM

    @Rory Wilson: Join an independent Scotland and be called Ulster Fife.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony McGovern
    Favourite Anthony McGovern
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:30 PM

    I believe william longshanks said it best in braveheart

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdMX4IwKx7E

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony McGovern
    Favourite Anthony McGovern
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 3:32 PM

    @Anthony McGovern: gah just rememberd it was edward longshanks, not william. gah! the joke is ruined now!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe celtic 1888
    Favourite joe celtic 1888
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2022, 4:39 PM

    TAL

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds