“On the cusp of a bright shiny new future for Northern Ireland..”
One of the dangers of adopting the manner of a “well-behaved witness” is, as Davy Adams identified in the Irish Times today, that false, or partial, narratives may go unchallenged. [subs req]
But it is the building of separate, partial histories by the two traditional tribes in Ireland that causes the real damage. Each tends towards a one-eyed view of the past that sees only the positive on one side and the negative on the other, and ignores the bits that do not suit particular prejudices. It is up to us whether this is indeed a bright new dawn or merely an interlude that is used to build up trouble for the future. If it is to be the former, then we need to dispense with our tendency towards monochrome history and deal honestly and openly with the past.
He gives an example of one of the narratives he has in mind
Thanks to a concerted attempt by various commentators and “historians” to rewrite history, many young people believe that the Provisional IRA’s campaign was driven primarily, if not exclusively, by the lofty aim of winning basic civil rights for the Catholic population in Northern Ireland.
According to this new narrative, only when those rights had been secured did the IRA feel able to end its violence. Neatly avoided is any explanation why, if that was indeed the case, the IRA did not cease its activities in 1974.
By then the old Stormont regime had been closed down and virtually every demand of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association had been met, yet the IRA campaign continued for another 20-odd years.
The truth is the IRA used the wholly legitimate grievances of Northern Catholics as an excuse to embark on a violent campaign aimed at forcing Northern Ireland into a 32-county unitary state against the democratically expressed wishes of a majority of its people.
The IRA’s campaign ended, not because it had achieved its primary goal but, rather, because it had signally failed to do so. Moreover, the violence had in fact become counter-productive.
Republican talk of an “equality agenda” only came very late in the day – long after it had been delivered by the SDLP – when, in order to get off the hook of conflict, it was decided to replace an unachievable objective with one that had already been secured. A carefully cultivated political mandate gave most republican activists a welcome exit route from a hopeless, self-perpetuating struggle that was going nowhere.
And on the temptation to be a well-behaved witness..
On the cusp of a bright shiny new future for Northern Ireland, the temptation is to ignore the revisionists and spare oneself the bother and the boredom of having to trample back and forth over old ground.
Except in the new historical narrative where republicans are idealistic battlers for the rights of the oppressed, unionists are conveniently cast as the villains of the piece and, for the most part, authors of their own misfortune.
The inference is that the conflict lasted only as long as unionists resisted delivering on an “equality agenda”. This sidesteps the fact that from the time Stormont was closed in 1972 the unionists were powerless to deliver on anything. Any true account of the Troubles could only determine that unionism was far from blameless, particularly in regard to anti-Catholic discrimination.
But it was how unionists voted, not how they acted, that provoked the ire of physical force republicanism. Most of us in Ireland, whether Northerner or Southerner and irrespective of religious or political affiliation, are past masters at presenting “history” not as it was but as we would like it to have been. We are adept at the expunging of retrospective “non-conformists” from the tribal pantheon.
In this way, the Presbyterians of the United Irishmen have been almost completely erased from the collective memory of Northern Protestants because their beliefs and actions do not fit with contemporary political opinion.
But it is the building of separate, partial histories by the two traditional tribes in Ireland that causes the real damage. Each tends towards a one-eyed view of the past that sees only the positive on one side and the negative on the other, and ignores the bits that do not suit particular prejudices. It is up to us whether this is indeed a bright new dawn or merely an interlude that is used to build up trouble for the future. If it is to be the former, then we need to dispense with our tendency towards monochrome history and deal honestly and openly with the past.
Wilde Rover
“Likewise, until very recently in the Republic, the bravery and sacrifice of many thousands of Southern Irishmen in two World Wars was considered an embarrassment.”
The above is a direct quote from the Adams article that sits alongside the Presbyterian United Irishmen one as examples of our selective historical memory.
Sean,
There are a whole lot of legitimate questions for the ‘other’ side. Regarding the killings you mention there is actually a public enquiry being set up by the Englezes into them.
I want to know about ‘my’ side and what was done in the name of Ireland.
kokane There are a whole lot of legitimate questions for the ‘other’ side. Regarding the killings you mention there is actually a public enquiry being set up by the Englezes into them
What you say is true but as the powers that be are doing there best to limit access and powers to these commitees what will come out of them? Are not MI5 and the police even right now vigorously shredding the secret files they got back from the Stevens Enquiry? And these are the forces of Law and Order? What incentive is there for a private organization to participate fully in an enquiry? With out the full co-operation of the IRA how will there be a complete invesatigation inot the IRA?
Its silly to equate the investigation of a private organization with the investigation of a corrupt governmental body
The original point is that the article itself fails to grasp the nettle i.e. the annoying Stormont Era question.
I probably was being too harsh though.
Still, best to keep everyone on their toes ;-0
Sean,
I am saying these things are separate – dont equate them – my questions were adressed to SF. You introduced state/loyalist violence.
Antime these questions are asked someone says ( and in this case the someone is you ) what about the ‘other’ side.
We dont need a public enquiry for Republicans to explain to us why certain people were legitimate targets. Grizzly, Martin can you tell us for example why retired members of the UDR were so considered? How do you now feel about having such a policy?
And we dont want to hear the trite lines about “war is dirty business” – as war is also a decisions business.
the IRA I assume, as i am not a member, cosidered any member of the security forces as a legitimate target retired or not
SuperSoupy,
I’ve just finished my history A level there last year. We did plenty of Irish history but only as far as 1900. We covered the period 1770-1800 in detail with its reforms and rebellion. Then we did nationalism in the 19th centuary (Emmett, YIs and Fenians, O’Connell, Butt and Parnell, GAA, Gaelic League and other culteral movements). That was it for Irish history but Im told the school (a Catholic Grammar) is now teaching partition and civil war as well. We were encouraged to question the myths of what we thought we knew but at the same time our teacher was a good solid umm.. constitutional Republican (she took great pride in being able to name all the people in a photo of a nationalist riot back when we learnt about the Troubles in GCSE).
The whole thing however was a quite sterile and bred an atmosphere where any republicanism was to be strictly discouraged. During European language week in my second year there were displays on the languages taught by the school, (French, German, Spanish and Irish). After the second day the tricolour on the Irish display was removed for fear of upsetting anyone. Aye right. Last year the principle asked me and my friends to remove our Easter lilies. Didn’t happen though. I think he recognised me as the young fella with the ma who called in to complain about ‘United Kingdom’ on our address on my report card. Haha.
In the end though I think it was simply just a very snobby school more than anything else (we always saw it as a throw back to the days when a Catholic school had to ‘rise’ above its culteral identity in order to be accepted in higher circles).
English lit was a pure joke, not in any anti nationalist conspiracy but because it was taught without that fierce passion that’s needed to make poetry and literature come alive. Imagine learning Funeral Blues and never being told about Auden’s private life?! Comparing Shakespeares’ Macbeth to Polanskis’ without mentioning Manson!? If tv is the cancer to young people’s love of reading then surely a course in English lit is the coffee eneama. That is, painful, uncomfortable and utterly useless.
I would never say that the nationality of the author is a neccessity to enjoying literature but when teaching a class full of GAA culchies and bogtrotters who couldn’t give a toss about whether or not Lady Macbeth ever gets her hand clean or not surely it would be smart to first teach them to appreciate their own national treasures. Joyce is out of course, imagine getting ‘analyse the themes of Finnegan’s Wake’ in your exam! Jesus you’d start to weep. Hell I couldn’t even finish Ulysses. But why not Brendan Behan, Oscar Wilde, Samual Beckett. What’s wrong with Yeats and Kavanagh? Hell, what about my own favourite, the genius that is Flann O’Brien? At Swim Two Birds is a thousand million times better than anything a hack such as Shakespeare ever threw together!
Of course if I was Ard Rà na hÉireann, and God willing some day I will be, I’d be captivating students with books that’d interest them, ‘On the Road’ and ‘Fear and Loathing’ with plenty of Bob Dylan song lyrics for the poety to cement the whole thing together.
Actually the real worry is the neglecting of Irish myths and legends at primary school level. its a crime that I had to teach my little brother about things like Fionn mac Cumhaill, the Buile Shuibhne and TÃr na nÓg. And of course our precious urban myths like Bloody Mary…ooooh…. ahem.
TTP,
Thanks for that.
This is where I think a discussion on history should be based before moving on to D Adams’ stuff on separate or partial histories: The shared Irish history that didn’t stop being shared at partition. I feel the same about literature.
If the Irish elements are dimished or given a reduced focus due to schools being part of British cirriculum based education systems it is the starting point for divergent historical interpretations.
”By results I mean and end to a protestant parliament for a protestant people, gerrymandering, no irish need apply, ruc, rir etc etc.”
Sean those first three had all disappeared by 1974, yet the provos kept blasting away for 20 more miserable years.
I don’t get the RUC inclusion as, shortly after declaring that PSNI = RUC, SF are now saying that they’re just fine. So what ‘results’ are you referring to here?
Face it, the provo campaign post 74 acheived precisely nothing. The political wing only got serious votes when the shooting stopped.
The provos murdered more of their ‘own community’ than the police, army & loyalists combined. The unionists became more entrenched and southerners more alienated. The resulting peace settlement has seen republicanism accept the unionist veto on partition, the NI police force, decommissioning, British rule administered through Stormont and the withdrawal of articles 2 & 3.
Results? Delusions more like.
GLC,
[i]The political wing only got serious votes when the shooting stopped.[/i]
Voting trends don’t support that. There was a steady upward trend. In fact, after the IRA ended its first cessation in 1996, Sinn Fein continued to see a rise in votes. How do you account for that?
3rd Policeman,
What percentage of the GCSE curriculum (rather than at A level as the majority will stop at GCSE) would you estimate is divided between Irish history and non-Irish related British history?
SuperSoupy
Had enough time to think about Comrade‘s question yet?
Pweh I can’t really remember to be honest Roisin. Umm we did the Irish troubles and i remember that for coursework we had to compare NICRA to the Black Civil Rights movement in America and the sufferings of the two peoples. We also studied 1920s America with its boom and bust so that included the Great Depression as well. The biggest module however was the Cold War. That was actually the most interesting one. Looking back now I’m sure we did a fourth module but I can’t mind what it was at all. God thats a worry lol.
GLC
By 1974 the government had paid lip service to addressing the nationalist concerns thus my analogy of plasters on gaping wounds. It was only after the IRA refused to acceed to the window dressing reforms that the english started getting serious about the Irish question. And only after the bombing of London did they start to put teeth into the legislation and pressure on the loayalists to negotiate
“What percentage of the GCSE curriculum (rather than at A level as the majority will stop at GCSE) would you estimate is divided between Irish history and non-Irish related British history?”
Been a while, but IRC my history GCSE covered 3 main areas – 20′s/30′s America, the Cold War and Irish history since 1969. I think a lot depends on the school and the teacher.
Regarding what Davy Adams said, but there should definitely be more of an emphasis placed on Irish history in Unionist/Protestant schools system today. That there isn’t is somewhat part of the problem in NI today. And there should be more of an emphasis placed on the Irish Protestants who have contributed to Irish society and culture throughout the ages and less of what went on across the water.
Young Unionists/Protestants would have more of an understanding and empathy toward Irish culture,(and the Nationalist community. Less alienation would result!
Gréagóir
With the best of intentions, I’m sure, you have just provided an example of the one eyed approach that Adams is on about. You seem to think it is only with the Unionist/Protestant version of history that there is a problem.
Likewise there should be more of an understanding of British culture and history throughout Ireland. However, regarding popular culture Irish people throughout the island already appreciate British culture everyday with the likes of Coronation Street, Eastenders, Man Utd, Liverpool, Celtic, Rangers, Chelsea, the fry up, the Royal family, The Grand National, The Sun, The Mirror, Robbie Williams, Take That, etc..etc..all are a part of each day in some way, including most of all, the English language, (of which Ireland has provided her fair share of writers and poets.)
On a more solemn note the Irish Government last year recognised the Irish people who fought and died for the British armed forces at the Somme in WWI by holding a ceremony at the Sir Edwin Lutyen’s designed Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in Dublin. Vist St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin and view all the British military standards and Union flags (and just to note Douglas Hyde the first president of the Free State was a Protestant).
Third Policeman, Kensei , Roisin, Sean , Super Soupy, Gerry lvs Castro , Penguin . IJP etc etc
To get the ‘full flavour’ of Irish History in the broadest British sense where better than have a glance at page 317 of Whitaker’s Almanac for the year 1890 which by it’s own admission contains
‘A large amount of information respecting the government finances population commerce and general statistics of the British empire throughout the world with some notice of other countries ‘
Some excerpts
Population
Ireland 1845 : 8,295,061
From May 1851 to the end of December 1885 no fewer than 3,051,361 people emigrated as many as 105,743 people in 1883 alone..
And the reason for the above state of affairs
Here’s Whitaker
‘ In many respects Ireland is far behind Great Britain , not only in manufactures , commerce and agriculture , but also in those other sources by which a nation is enriched and her population made prosperous and happy . The coasts abound with fish , but this source of wealth is much neglected . The mineral riches of the country such as coal , iron , etc are underdeveloped and there can be little doubt that one fourth more corn , cattle and other agricultural produce might be raised and exported’
And here’s Whitaker at it’s condescending imperial best
Northern Ireland power sharing politicians please take notice 
‘The Irish people unlike the Scotch are too much in the habit of expecting too much assistance from this country in those matters in which they should help themselves . Had they the same persistent industry and self reliance as the Scotch, the country would present a very different appearance from what it does ‘
‘The Government is semi independent (was it ?) . A Lord Lieutentant appointed by each successive Ministry exercises almost regal sway.( Not unlike the reign of the last 35 years of the NI Secretaries of State). He has a salary of 20,000 pounds ( not bad for 1890 ?) but being usually a nobleman of large private fortune his expenditure is frequently much more than the amount received . The peerage consists of 177 members who are represented in the Imperial Parliament by 28 of their number and 103 members represent the country in the House of Commons .’
Further on Whitaker ‘relents ‘ a little
‘It is on all sides admitted that for many years the Irish people were badly governed and had much to complain of : and in point of fact have never been without a grievance , real or imaginary ( nice touch the ‘imaginary ‘ eh ?) For centuries the Roman Catholics who form the chief part of the inhabitants were subject to many disabilities :these were greatly alleviated by the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill of 1829 and entirely relieved (no kidding ?) by the disestablishment of the Irish Church in 1870.
British statesmen both Liberal and Conservative have for the past 50 years (presumably 1840 -1890 we won’t mention the famine) done their best to remove all real causes of complaint .
It is possible as the years roll on the past will be forgotten and that the Irish people as the Scotch have already done will find their connection with a rich country like England of incalculable benefit to themselves .’
‘At the time of the Union , Ireland was a very important national factor much more important than at the present ‘ ( Hurray for the Union what ho old chap ) .
Some more Union benefits as per Whitaker.
‘The population of England and Wales in 1801 was but 9,060,993 while the population of Ireland was 5,216,329 considerably more than half of this country ; while the population of Scotland was only 1.625,000 . Ireland formed a proportion no less than 33% of the whole.’
And after 88 years of beneficial Union rule Whitaker’s expounds on another side benefit of the Union of Britain and Ireland.
‘In 1889 the relative proportions had completely changed for of the 37,750,000 inhabitants of the United Kingdom there were but 4, 650,000 in Ireland or jst 13% of the whole . Scotland had in the meantime sprung up to 4,100,000 and it’s population will soon be larger than that of Ireland .
Presumably it wasn’t Whitaker’s intention that the Irish having read the Almanac’s prescription for the ‘State of Ireland’s ‘ woes i.e that they were lacking in the essential ingredient of self reliance should go so far as to take Whitaker’s advice too literally and proceed to complete self reliance outside Her Brittanic Majesty’s Union ?
I can only imagine what Whitaker’s would say of the present day ‘self reliance ‘attributes of her majesty’s loyal ‘unionists’ and disloyal ‘nationalists’ in Northern Ireland?
Probably unprintable in these politically correct days !
Whitaker’s ‘prescription ‘ for Scotland and Northern Ireland
‘The Scottish and Northern Ireland people unlike the Irish Republic are too much in the habit of expecting too much assistance from this country in those matters in which they should help themselves . Had they the same persistent industry and self reliance as the Irish in the Irish Republic their countries would present a very different appearance from what they do ‘
Who said God was’nt an Englishman or at least thinks he’s an Englishman
Would be worth checking out too the writings of Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle and Benjamin Franklin who all paid a visit to these shores and remarked at the immense poverty and neglect of the Irish people as well.
Also not forgeting Trollope .
Whitaker’s Almanac was the ready reference of it’s time and a copy was to be found in every ‘educated’ household .
It gives ‘an all round flavour ‘ to the spirit of the age in a way that no history or novel could .
Remarkable Occurrences 1888-1889 lists the following gems just as a sample
Dec 6th 1888
The German factories at Bagamoyo attacked by a native chief with a large force
Dec 8th 1888
A farmer near Ennis brutally beaten for refusing to subscribe to the Parnell Indemnity Fund .
Dec 19th 1888
Mr Gladstone left London for Naples
Dec 28th 1888
The Hon Miss Prittie sister to Lord Dunalley killed while hunting near Nenagh.
March 2 1889
Two chiefs sent on a mission by the King of Matabeleland presented to the Queen at Windsor
Nov 22 1889
The Parnell Commission having sat for 129 days the inquiry concluded with a speech by Sir Henry James lasting 11 and a half days . About 493 witnesses were examined and 98,177 questions answered !
Sept 5th 1889
Seventy lives estimated to be lost owing to a fire in Penicuik Colliery , Midlothian .
Nov 15 1889
Revolution in Brazil . Emperor deposed . Republic declared .
Nov 19th 1889
Attempted murder of his Honour Judge Bristow at Nottingham by a German dentist named Arneman
Plus ca change eh ?