http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/blog/?cat=409

As a glass-half-full type I suppose I should regard you starting to understand that Ireland’s history is more than “resistence, blood, martyrdom” as a small step forward.

However I see that you have little capacity for further growth. Best to put you in the ‘not up to the mark’ drawer and move on.

Before I do one last tip. Try reading a few books; that’s ‘reading’ not colouring-in remember. You’ll be surprised to find that history is more than a cardboard cutout. It has sides, and depth and a dark side, all much more than simply “here nor there”.

Glad to hear your (limited and limiting) life is good.

But you’ve elided there. Your original point was a little mini rant on the North having a border with “Ireland”. Which was and remains worthy of a giant facepalm. My life is good , thanks.

The section you quoted from goes on “….drew it (Wales), almost seamlessly, into the industrial and economic story of the British Empire”. Whereas Ireland was so removed by, as you say, an “effective barrier to the movement of people and technology”, the Irish Sea, that its “clear and passionate” history was of “resistance, blood, martyrdom”.

Houlihan’s myopic view, which you seem to share, is a counterfeit. Having worked in Northern Ireland, and still retaining a visiting professorship at the University of Ulster, he knows it to be. So, I suspect, do you.

Ireland’s geographic “remoteness” is at its nearest point some eleven miles from Britain. From ancient times there has been close contact; Dál Riata anyone?

In the time period highlighted by you Dublin was in the late 18th century only eclipsed by London in size in the empire and at many times, up until 1921 of course, was regarded as the Second City of the British Empire. Many of its residents were as at home walking in Phoenix Park as they were on The Mall.

Phoenix Park was also the location of the Royal Irish Constabularly Depot which was the training centre for colonial police officers from all around the empire.

The British Army was also in large parts staffed by AngloIrish both in leadership and rank and file. From Wellington to Sir Alan Brooke this seamless aspect of Irish history is ignored by Houlihan.

The industrial north-east of Ireland was also an intimate of the Industrial Revolution within the rest of the UK. Its textile, rope and engineering heritage was not a cottage industry for local consumption. Then again perhaps you are one of those people who believe that RMS Titanic was built in Hollywood.

Now I “could” say that whole of Ireland was part of the UK and indeed I do; I think I may have some tiny historical justification for saying so.

I also say that your argument that Ireland was so remote from England as the central power within the Kingdom that the part in played in economic and industrial life, and indeed social life, was such that its history is as charactertured by Houlihan is one-dimensional nonsense.

So run along now, and have a nice life.

It isn’t particularly incompatiable with economic growth. Peple moved because there were no jobs.

It is painful I have to explain this to you. Northern Ireland did not exist until 1921. Now you could say Ireland was part of the UK prior to this, but in context what he means is England. Ireland, even when it was within the UK, was much more geographically remote to the main industrial centres than Wales was. The Irish sea formed a much more effective barrier to the movement of people and technology than Wales more or less non existent borders. The fact that Ireland was Irish and the people treated poorly did not help

So the rant on borders and what Ireland means is first mind bending, because it bares no relation to what he was saying. Have a nice day.

Captain, the Twat originates from a Parallel Alien Universe its sole purpose is to beam adolescent visual puns into our galaxy. It’s humour Jim, but not as we know it.

Mr Checkov set phasers to ridicule and warp factor ten the hell away from it.

Aye aye Captain.

Read the damn quote in context.

Ireland (state) shares the island of Ireland with the devolved region of the United Kingdom known as ‘Northern Ireland’. The two distinct jurisdictions are separated by an internationally recognised land border.

The ‘United Kingdom’ referred to is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Not a particularly difficult concept to grasp. However that depends…. as Captain James T. might have said “raise shields twat on the starboard bow”.

Any point in that? The morality/accuracy is irrelevant: its saleable, which is the point.

http://www.lolblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/doublefacepalm.jpg

I wonder if the folks on the other side of the world will be comfortable with someone who displays such a one-dimensional view of the culture of an island so close to Wales given that the defining aspect of Te Papa is the respect and acceptance shown to both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti cultures.