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A Political History of the Two Irelands competition…
It’s not often we get free things to give away to our readers, but courtesy of Palgrave Macmillan we have a nice paperback copy of Brian M Walker’s excellent history of partition of the island and how identities shifted in both the north east and the south and west: as most of the territory that [...] read our review »
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Risk of going beyond either/or…
This is article was first published in Fortnight magazine back in February 2003. Chris Farrington is now a Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellow funded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences’ in the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin. Although the circumstances it describes has changed radically and [...] read our review »
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Legion of the Rearguard – Dissident Irish Republicanism by Martyn Frampton, Book Review
Are you confused about ‘dissident’ Irish Republicanism? Anxious about its existence and its seemingly increasingly deadly capabilities? Martyn Frampton’s new book, Legion of the Rearguard: Dissident Irish Republicanism (Irish Academic Press, 2011) serves both as a primer on active dissident groups and a timely analysis of their historic significance and contemporary capabilities. This book clears [...] read our review »
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Comment on Which collapse scenario do you prefer?
on 11 January 2010 at 4:59 am
Can I just remind everyone who believes the collapse of Stormont would lead to direct rule: That is not the case.
Joint Authority (BIIGC) is the agreed method of governance should stormont fall-
So for unionists that feel sinn fein pulling out would lead to direct rule are mistaken.
I ask you this:
What do you prefer; A legislative assembly were unionists have control over local affairs, or Joint Authority where Dublin has 50% control?
Yes that’s a Dail that wants to progress Irish re-unification..
Think again before resorting to the old failsafe of Direct Rule.
Dublin or Stormont?
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Comment on Which collapse scenario do you prefer?
on 11 January 2010 at 2:18 am
No Comrade;
Joint Authority (DUBLIN & LONDON) will preside over the 6 counties. The British Government WANT to see IRISH (GAELIGE) recognised in law, as European law dictates..
It would be the proposition of the Free State, and withouth opposition from Westminster, the Language Act would pass…
I have never, and shall never look to England for anything.
Unionists are too stupid to realise the collapse of the assembly will result in Joint Authority, as the creation of the BIIGC stated in the GFA.
It is in the interests of unionists to maintain Stormont, or else DUBLIN will have control over you.
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Comment on Which collapse scenario do you prefer?
on 11 January 2010 at 2:09 am
Sinn Féin have every right to pull out of the current arrangement- the DUP have not lived up to the St Andrews Agreement (Irish Language Act & Policing and Justice) and so I, would fully support their withdrawl from the executive, which would bring devolution to suspension.
If internal DUP spats and fundamentalist anti-nationalist feeling will prohibit the honouring of the agreement (St Andrews) then Sinn Féin have a duty to the nationalist/republican community to withdraw with immediate effect.
The result of such a decision, would reinforce their support, and further divide unionism, which may provide nationalists with the opportunity to cement the language of this Island into law.
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 20 December 2009 at 3:54 am
Quote:
‘Political revolution’….that gave me a laugh. A revolution under Unionist control. How is it going? The 11+, the ILA, workers rights? Some revolution – the Brits gave more when in direct control than SF are managing with their ‘political revolution’
Unionist control? Are you actually serious?
Do you understand the term ‘mandatory power-sharing’?
What i find funny, is the fact a IRA OC Volunteer who left school at 15 is the Joint First Minister. That is correct-IRA/Sinn Féin have a veto on every Unionist proposition.
Who says terrorism gets you nowhere?
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 20 December 2009 at 3:38 am
What i find hard to believe, is why unionists have such loyalty to a government that has openly expressed the 6 counties no longer serve the needs of the British Population.
‘We have no further political, economic or strategic need for Northern Ireland’
I think unionists should wake up and smell the coffee. Unionists live on this false belief that they are loved and the priority of the British Monarchy and her Government.
You should take comfort from the truth, which is Republicans welcome Protestants and unionists to a 32 county state.
As for the statement regarding the clerical abuse, which is downright appalling.
Turgon:
‘I think if you are the parent of a young child there is also quite a lot to fear.’
The Murphy report has ensured nothing of the sort will happen EVER again.
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 20 December 2009 at 3:11 am
‘ SF left Irish republicanism behind with those few words – it was a major moment in Irish history. ‘
I beg Mr McGregor, that you research republicanism.
A republic can be created through military revolution or political revolution.
After 40 years of attempts to create a republic through an armed campaign, Sinn Féin and the overwhelming majority of the Republican community have accepted political revolution represents the only hope for Irish Republicanism..
..in 1927, Eamon DeValera realised this, and swore an oath to the Crown and entered the Free State government to achieve his goal- a republic. In 1949, the Irish Republic separated from the British Empire.
Sinn Féin have done the same.
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 20 December 2009 at 2:44 am
reg 1912:
“The only way that there will be a united Ireland is if Her Majesty decides to take back the South an the name of child protection.”
What makes you think the Monarch of the British Empire has such authority? She is merely a figurehead. Furthermore, you statement is untrue: Through Democratic Referendum, as reiterated in the Good Friday Agreement.
The Nationalist population is increasing and has been at a rate far greater than that of the Unionist community. The 2011 census will show the ‘gap’ has closed further.
‘The sun is setting on the British Empire’
I once more ask those that criticise Sinn Féin’s involvement in ‘British Institutions’ as an abandonment of Republicanism, to explore the fabric of Republican ideology.
In 1927, Fianna Fail, the anti-treaty movement, under the leadership of Eamon De Valera, took office in a British institution ie/ The Free State. This occurred after a civil war, in which the pro-British forces fought the IRA (anti-treaty force) and after a ceasefire, the military opposition decided to pursue a political strategy. In approximately 20 years, Éire was declared a Republic and had complete sovereignty.
Deja vu?
Irish Republicanism must be pragmatic. We have fought a long and brutal conflict and have actively sought an end to such a situation. Can Sinn Féin not receive commendation for their truly admirable step towards political development?
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 20 December 2009 at 12:00 am
Turgon
On that grounds, you may suggest that the B-Specials, as bigoted and sectarian as they were, may have protected some children, either Catholic or Protestant from Clerical abuse, but that was (if indeed true) not out of love for Catholics, but simply because they would have taken any opportunity to shame the Catholic Church.
If that was true, the B-Specials certainly did a good deed, but that will always be overshadowed by their disgusting brutality on many innocent civilians in the north.
The Proclamation of Ireland, 1916, is relevant, as it applies (in theory) to the inevitable Republic. We all know promises are not always kept, and indeed that was demonstrated by the institutional abuse in the Free State.
Can I point out, that in recent weeks, the Fianna Fail government announced major cuts in funding for Protestant schools in the south (non-parallel with Catholic schools) which does defy the proclamation. Sinn Féin immediately rejected this decision and have subsequently campaigned against the implementation.
Republicans do not wish to discriminate against any community.
Quote
‘As to the discrimination in NI yes it was completely unacceptable and indeed Catholics were not properly treated in NI prior to 1972. Stormont fell in 1972. Tell me which rights do Catholics not have which I currently enjoy?’
Are you under the belief that civil rights magically appeared in 1972? On 30th January 1972 the British Army shot 27 innocent civilians, murdering 14, who were marching for civil rights. Internment was introduced later that year; on the first day of internment 99% of men illegally detained were Catholic. That was no co-incidence.
It was not until 1998 when, under the Good Friday Agreement, Catholics obtained equal opportunity and full civil rights. This came in the form of the equality commission and other bodies established.
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 19 December 2009 at 11:30 pm
I Quote Democrat:I have no desire to live in a united nationalist republic of Ireland. I prefer to live in secular Britain, rather than in Catholic Ireland.
Can i put this question to you ‘Democrat’?
What is so scary about a 32 County Republic of Ireland?
You claim it would be a Catholic Ireland. I shall quote the 1916 Easter Proclamation of the Irish Republic:
‘The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of it’s parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally’
Irish Republicans, true Irish Republicans believe in Religious freedom. No Protestant would be discriminated in favour of a Catholic. The Irish Civil rights campaign of 1968-72 was so that Catholics could obtain the civil rights denied by the Protestant people. We know, only too well what religious discrimination does to families and communities, which is why as a Republican, I am determined to see the destruction of such bigotry.
The Republic of Ireland (32 Counties) would not be a Catholic State, serving Rome: It would be a nation with the population predominately Catholic, but with no official affiliation with the Catholic Church.
You have nothing to fear. ‘Come, follow me’
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Comment on The year the shinners died
on 19 December 2009 at 5:01 am
Quote:
‘With those few words SF eventually ended any connection with republicanism or revolutionary politics and finally became a full party of the British state’
I shall provide you with some advice Mr McGregor:
1)Look up the ideology republicanism
2)Look up Sinn Féin’s current electoral position
I ask you do that before you make any further comments on that issue.
Republicanism, as you seem to think is armed volunteers targeting ‘members of the British Army and police force’. That is wrong.
As you should know, before you make a statement such as the one i have just read, please read up on Sinn Féin and their current electoral strategy.
Since the PIRA ceasefire in 1994, Sinn Féin have completed a huge transition from political violence to achieve and implement their ideology, to purely electoral methods.
This is not a contradiction of Republicanism.
I believe you are correct in stating:
‘For republicanism five words show the year that was:
“traitors to the island of Ireland” – Martin McGuinness’
Fortunately I have the ability to draw positive conclusions and believe the significance of that statement lies in the huge change which the north of Ireland has seen.
Sinn Féin have, to the resounding support of the Republican community, adopted a political method and have denounced the continuation of violence. They now have a political path which leads straight to a 32 county Republic.
Times have changed Sir, I suggest you change with them.
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