Commemorations of significant events like the founding or reassertions of a nation are not uncommon. The Easter Rising was one of those events that represent a turning point in the path of the Irish nation. The centenary events in the Republic were in my opinion a very honest and dignified commemoration of the Rising that gave value and respect to all who lost their lives.
Rightly so.
If one wished to dwell in the past one could legitimately argue that British sensitivities should not be pandered to – let’s face it they did colonise (a polite word for steal) the land from the Irish. James I had no mandate in 1607 when they ‘confiscated’ Ulster. Cromwell had no mandate when he confiscated the rest of Ireland telling the Irish and Old English who had supported Charles I that they could go to hell or Connaught.
Thousands of Irish men, women and children were murdered by the troops of the contradictory Cromwell, others died from starvation because of his vindictively cruel scorched earth policy. Added to this the deaths of more than a million people during the so-called famine when wheat, corn and beef were being shipped out of Ireland destined for English stomachs. The Act of Union that legitimised British authority was passed by a parliament that contained no Irish Catholics. Britain had no mandate to control Ireland yet she did.
My issue with elements of unionism, in particular the DUP, is their arrogance and their superior attitude. They cannot look down their noses at Irish nationalism because as a people they asserted their right to rule themselves.
The UVF and the signatories of the Solemn League and Covenant pledged, some signing in their own blood, to do whatever it took to ensure that the Home Rule, passed by their mandated parliament, would not be enforced. British procrastination and unionist threats of violence not to mention the First World War made it appear that the minority were going to dictate the future of the majority. Hardly democratic.
Arlene Foster cannot delegitimise the rising and legitimise the union. How dare the DUP snub the Irish president.
Unionism was compliant in the theft of Ireland after the initial plantation and the murder and starvation of thousands of our people.
The Republic has shown that it can leave the past in the past and forge ahead with the creation of a modern dynamic country.
It can be magnanimous in its relationship with Britain because it has matured as a nation. It’s a pity unionism can’t show the same level of maturity.
Britannia is gone, the union is weakened, times are changing.
Adapt or do your people a great disservice and ignore the changing tide.
Nationalism is reaching magnanimously out to you – reach out and grasp it with both hands for the sake of all who share this part of Ireland.
DENISE JOHNSTON
Magherafelt, Co Antrim
Let people decide on parades and marches
In recent times we have witnessed a referendum in Scotland on independence and the people of the United Kingdom will vote in a referendum on June 23 to decide if they remains in the European Union.
These votes are based on the universal idea that major decisions on topics which effect everyday life in these nations should be put before the people, for society to decide how we collectively move forward together.
With this in mind I am calling on the Northern Ireland secretary of state to offer the people here a chance to vote on a subject that causes division is oft times fraught with danger, occasional violence and undermines efforts to normalise society. I am of course referring to the thousands of parades and marches we must endure annually and the price of policing which wastes must needed monies that could be spent on hospitals, education, welfare and housing.
I am asking the secretary of state to call a referendum and allow the people to decide if parades and marching should be banned for a period of five years. This would be reviewed and another referendum held in five years time should the people endorse the call for a ban. It is an opportunity to allow society to heal, a breathing space to allow discourse and a chance for peace and normality during the summer months, to ease tensions and help peace solidify.
This ban would be for all groups across the board without exception.
I feel given the right to vote on a subject that affects every single person here is a fundamental right to be exercised and I feel confident the people would overwhelmingly vote for a temporary ban as they sell peace and stability going forward.
FRA HUGHES
Belfast BT14
Voice of reason would improve ‘ineffective’ assembly
Listening to Talkback on April 13 on a programme from Foyle constituency, at which all political parties were represented, I was struck, not for the first time, by the unmistakable voice of Eamon McCann. He’s been an ever-present voice on local politics since the late 1960s from the desperate days of the civil rights right up to the present day.
I think I’m right in saying this is the first time that he is bidding to enter formal, establishment politics through his People Before Profit party stance.
Though a lifetime SDLP member myself and one who will be supporting that party in the coming election, I believe that our ‘ineffective’ assembly can only be improved by people like Eamon McCann who would bring an articulate, intelligent and much-needed voice to that pretty average assemblage. For me, he is an innately intelligent person, who having had the benefit of an education, then uses that combination to make rational and insightful inputs. If only we could say the same for a number of our current politicians. It could be, of course, that a part of the combi is missing in these cases and that the said people are simply ‘educated’.
KIERAN McMULLAN
Randalstown, Co Antrim
MMA not about the martial arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is not about martial arts, it is all about violence and money. No-one that has a genuine interest in sport should watch brawls taking place. Even the slightest glimpse of it can turn a civilised person’s stomach and have them quickly switching channels. Boxing is controversial enough, but now we have the development of extreme, high-contact, violence sports.
Those who watch MMA or boxing should think again. These so-called sports, which are really blood-thirsty fights, will do nothing to serve the interests of humanity. All they will do is degrade the human being to the point of them behaving like wild animals.Are we animals or humans in the 21st century?
MAURICE FITZGEREALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
No room for complacency over Brexit
On june 23 Britain will hold a referendum on whether to remain in the EU. It is a momentous decision and one which has profound implications for the Republic. A Brexit will cause severe global damage and confidence in investment.
It would be a non-runner as trade agreements would be torn up given that Europe’s economy is already very fragile. Trade between Ireland and the UK in goods and services amounts to €1.2bn every week and there are no grounds for complacency. Irish voices should be proactive and urge the UK to avoid a Brexit scenario.
NOEL HARRINGTON
Kinsale, Co Cork
