Talk:Coatbridge

Nice to see that this wikipedia entry was heavily lifted into an article in the Daily Express - I realised because it lifted a lot of parts which I myself and written. I feel honoured. Jizz 00:53, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

Little Ireland?

How well known is the term Little Ireland? Growing up in Coatbridge I think I heard the term once and now living in Glasgow and working in Edinburgh I've never heard anyone call the town that. Most people I've met from around Scotland only know Coatbridge is somewhere near Glasgow and that's about it.

If anything I would say it's a term that might be understood in Lanarkshire but in the rest of Scotland no.

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To claim that the term 'little Ireland' is not synonimous with Coatbridge is somewhat like claiming fish aren't linked to water. Coatbridge is overwhelmingly populated the descendants of irish catholic immigrants. This background is relfected by large numbers of catholic churches and schools as well as prevalent support for Celtic FC the club of the Irish community in Scotland. I grew up in Coatbridge and the term is used widely as are 'vatican city' and the '33rd county'. These terms can be used eithier pejoratively or affectionately. The South Coatbridge area is particularly noted as being an irish and catholic stronghold.

[Andy]

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I didn't claim 'little Ireland' was not synonimous with Coatbridge in the way you suggest, the term can be used to refer to the town I agree. The reason for my question was because the article used to say that Coatbridge was 'perhaps best known in Scotland as' little Ireland. That statement didn't reflect my experience of the term and I asked the question to see if my experience of the term was the norm. I didn't hear the term growing up in Coatbridge and I think I was into my twenties before I heard the term at all, and now living in Glasgow and working in Edinburgh no-one I know has ever called the town little Ireland. I know that Coatbridge has a large Irish/Catholic poluation but that's nothing to do with how well known the term 'little Ireland' is and how often it is used to refer to the town. Given that no-one replied to my discussion (until now) I therefore altered the article to say Coatbridge was 'sometimes known as' little Ireland. I think this change was fair. --Baron Olivers 23:39, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

The term "Little Ireland" is in fact a well known expression and is known by many people from a wide area and not just Lanarkshire. This due to the fact that Coatbridge has the biggest population of Irish descent in the UK, a fact that was acknowledged by President of Ireland Mary McAleese on her visit to St Patricks Church, Coatbridge on Friday February 9th 2007 marking 50 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann in Britain.172.202.70.60 16:59, 19 February 2007 (UTC)Phil

How does the Irish President visiting mean that Coatbridge is well known as "Little Ireland"? Did she use the term? Because she visited due to the large number of Irish immigrants doesn't mean Coatbridge is well known as Little Ireland. There are a great number people in Coatbridge with an Irish heritage but neither comment since my original post has addressed my point which was "How well known is the term Little Ireland?" The original article said Coatbridge was best known as Little Ireland in Scotland, I didn't agree with that so I asked the question, but both replies seem to making the point that there is a large number of people with Irish backgrounds in Coatbridge. There are, I agree, I'm one of them. There's no Irish history denial going on here, I just wanted to know how well known the term was. Baron Olivers 23:15, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

I've heard of Catholic Coatbridge and Protestant Airdrie but never little Ireland, given the population changes over the years I doubt the former is even true anymore. Fraslet 11:43, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

++Little Ireland?++ Must admit - I am born and brought up in Coatbridge and have lived here 40 years. My father is the same and has lived here 70 years. My friends have been here a similar length of time. Never heard it called 'Little Ireland' until I read this thread.Wishful thinking by the author perhaps?

Can anyone add a history section?

Sad not to see a history section. I've been trying to gather info on the Monkland Canal. It should feature under the histories of both Coatbridge and Glasgow; it was the thing that allowed them to industrialise - without it, Glasgow would be like Portsmouth.--ML5 14:42, 27 July 2006 (UTC)