Lord Banniside (Rev. Ian Paisley) dies aged 88

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...-obituary.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...s-aged-88.html

Lord Bannside (Ian Paisley) dies aged 88

Lord Bannside was, as Ian Paisley, the firebrand leader of Protestant oppositon to a united Ireland

Rev Ian Paisley

Three former British Prime Ministers joined David Cameron and leaders across Irish politics to praise a man who went from a staunch opponent of the peace process to a key instrument of it.

Dr Paisley, a Protestant preacher, was for decades the face of opposition to compromise with the IRA in Northern Ireland, famed as much for his thunderous speeches as his political stance.

He took an uncompromising sectarian line before, during and after the “Troubles” — for the outbreak of which he bore some responsibility — yet ended his political life as First Minister sharing power with his old enemy, Sinn Fein.

Paisley was often dismissed by commentators outside the Province as a bigot and a buffoon. His political career was repeatedly written off, yet by its end he had outmanoeuvred his moderate Unionist rivals to become Ulster’s elder statesman, the spokesman for a majority of Unionists and undisputed leader of the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Few could have imagined such an outcome in the Sixties, when the young, uncouth firebrand first led working-class Protestants in vociferous opposition to the genteel Unionism of Terence O’Neill, then prime minister of Northern Ireland.

His fiery blend of sectarian preaching and political oratory, which drew heavily on the book of Revelation and the spicier parts of the Old Testament, proved highly potent during the 1974 Ulster Workers’ Strike, when Loyalists — enraged by plans for an all-Ireland dimension to their government — brought down the power-sharing administration established under the Sunningdale Agreement.

Wow, why are all the iconic people dying all of a sudden. :S

I have to say, from what I have read and seen from him before, he's one of those speakers and politicians who is unique when giving a speech - he really had that ability to rally people and excite in his speeches. I can't say I agree with the Good Friday Agreement and his signing of it, but still: his speeches in defence of the Union and his decades long fight against the IRA is something to remember.

Here's his most famous 'Never never never' speech.

RIP.

Thoughts?

[A4R0N]

bigoted ********

[Red]

So many iconic people dying. RIP BIG IAN. I'll be attending his memorial!