Ireland reacts to the EU winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2012

Image Wikimedia Commons 

The European Union was announced as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2012 at a special ceremony in Norway this morning.

The 27-nation bloc, of which Ireland is a member, was praised by the judging committee for rebuilding the continent after the second world war and spreading stability to former communist countries.

If you are thinking that it is unusual that a supranational organisation could claim the coveted prize, then you may be surprised to learn that it is the 23rd group or organisation to do so.

The announcement, made at a ceremony in Oslo, has provoked a strong reaction online - not least in Ireland.

With the country currently halfway through its bailout programme to restore economic stability and recapitalise the banks, Twitter has been peppered with thousands of tongue-in-cheek words of congratulations:

The EU wins Nobel Peace Prize. Presumably for its calming influence in Athens and Madrid, plus the happiness the ECB has brought Ireland.

— Owen Conlon (@waffleviaconlon) October 12, 2012

Hold on. If the EU gets a Nobel Peace Prize and Ireland is in the EU and I'm in Ireland... can I put this on my CV?

— Stephen Beirne (@ByronicM) October 12, 2012

Does Ireland get a referendum on whether the EU should accept or refuse the Nobel prize?

— Duncan McDonnell (@duncanmcdonnell) October 12, 2012

I'd like to nominate Trappatoni for the Nobel Peace Prize- under him, Ireland wouldn't even dream of attacking anyone... #IREGER

— Philip O'Connor (@philipoconnor) October 12, 2012

Although some were positive:

#EU richly deserves its #Nobel Peace Prize for reconciliation of France and Germany and helping resolve conflicts in Ireland and Cyprus.

— Barry Gibson (@1BarryGibson) October 12, 2012

Congrats to all involved in the EU's Nobel Peace Prize, from all of us at the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe @barrosoeu #EUNobel

— Leuven Institute(@LeuvenIrelandEU) October 12, 2012

And twitter user Oblivious had this interesting 'chunk' of information

Correlation between capita chocolate consumption and nobel laureates #Ireland twitter.com/Oblivious_/sta…

— Oblivious (@Oblivious_) October 11, 2012

I guess some of them won't be sending the EU a postcard of congratulations.