Opinion

Southern Irish Protestants live longer than Catholic counterparts – why?

In recently published research Dublin’s Central Statistics Office pointed out that southern Irish Protestants live longer than Catholic counterparts. The reason has little to do with, as historian Roy Foster claimed, “thriftier lifestyles”. The first sentence in the CSO statement announcing the research nailed it: “Those that live in the most affluent areas live longest.” Lower mortality is, accordingly, associated with higher social class, associated higher social status and higher education. Being in a stable partnership is also coincidental with lasting longer. All of these factors are associated with affluence, which tends to be inherited as much, if not more so, than earned.

That being the case, the figures indicate that economic advantages enjoyed historically by members of the southern Irish Protestant population are still being played out. The CSO data does not preclude the existence of poor southern Protestants and rich Catholics. It means that, vis a vis the other confessional group, they are statistically less likely.

Disadvantage in life is most associated with poverty. While living standards may rise over the course of a lifetime, the gap between rich and poor tends to remain. In the US, social class disadvantage is intertwined with race. In Ireland it is associated historically with religion.

The predominantly Catholic southern Irish state preserved Protestant economic advantage, at least up until the late 1960s. Protestant firms, that were dominant within the economy, discriminated in favour of members of their own confessional group. It was openly advertised, as illustrated in my Shorthand for Protestants article for History Ireland (on academia.edu). Guinness did it, so too did the Irish Times. In 1970 Irish entrepreneur Michael Smurfit secretly bought up shares and took over the Hely group, then the second-largest Irish traded company. He was disconcerted (but not entirely surprised) to find in the company’s articles of association a stipulation that no Catholic could become a director. Three of Hely’s directors were also owners of the Irish Times. One was the newspaper board’s then chairman.

Though the economic gap between the two groups has reduced, evidentially it is still there.


The issue is complicated by the emergence of what is now the second largest southern Irish belief system, those with no religion.

DR NIALL MEEHAN


Dublin

Band fest could be PR disaster for Sons of Ulster

The Open Golf championship taking place at Portrush will see the arrival of thousands of visitors at the north coast venue. The televised event will also have the eyes of the world peering at golf’s top players strutting their stuff along the fairways. Seeing an opportunity for self-promotion the Portrush Orange Order/Sons of Ulster have cancelled their traditional, annual Twelfth parade deciding instead to hold a three-day ‘Marching Bands’ fest to celebrate their culture and identity. The pomp and ceremony of this will surely have more than a few players, golfing fanatics/spectators scratching their heads in wonderment at this spectacle as purists of the game are acutely aware utter silence is required for competitors.


With large amounts of money on offer any distraction leading to a lapse in concentration is totally frowned upon. This could also cause severe embarrassment to the home-bred players as they struggle to explain and justify the hullabaloo.


There is the possibility that this could be a PR disaster for the Sons of Ulster as probing questions will be asked on their exclusionary policies and anti-Catholic sentiments.

There must also be no repeat of 2018 when the brethren gathered at Limavady for their annual parade through the town.


The Department of Infrastructure ordered the withdrawal of all traffic attendants from the town to facilitate members parking their cars. An unacceptable occurrence and totally outrageous.

KEVIN McCANN


Belfast BT1

Cross-community is way forward for victims

This past  week four victims, including myself, went to Dublin and met a cross-party group of politicians. Our group consisted of two Protestants and two Catholics, all fighting for truth and justice. We went as one strong voice without political views or religion in our thoughts. It’s an insult to the memories of our murdered family members that we have had  to travel across the border and seek help and support from politicians from another jurisdiction. There are several reasons for that. Firstly, our politicians in Northern Ireland have shown no real desire to help all the innocent victims, and secondly on every debate or ‘initiative’ regarding victims it comes down to blame, religion and politics. Cross-community is the way forward for victims. I would also go as far to say that any groups who portray themselves as victims support groups and receive funding must have a policy that board and paid workers are 50 per cent Protestant and 50 per cent Catholic. This will help to provide a balanced viewpoint from these groups. If groups don’t agree then withdraw their funding. We should all work together in relation to victims without religious or political agendas. In Dublin we were well received and respected. I hope our political dinosaurs have learnt something from four cross-community victims working together for truth and justice.

RAYMOND McCORD


Victims Campaigner, North Belfast

Reprehensible comments

The recent comments by Mr Varadkar about clerical sexual abuse of children ‘behind the altars’, and seeming to brand all priests as paedophiles, were reprehensible.

Mr Varadkar has had to apologise for such crass misrepresentation, but he has damaged the reputation of good clergy. Our clergy do not look for lauds, but do not deserve this worst type of scurrilous attack. They carry on, often attending to more than one parish. At all times and in all circumstances, they are faithfully there for us, never complain and (as we frequently discover) respond to missions of mercy at all hours of the day and night. Along with other parishioners, I have nothing but praise and appreciation for them, and sorrow at the unjust treatment they  have put up with.

ISABELLA CORR


Greyabbey, Co Down

Cancer Focus NI says thanks

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland would like to thank the people of Holywood, Lisburn Road and Ormeau Road for their support during the recent collection in their area. The collection took place on Friday 12 April raising a total of £914.05 for the charity. All the money raised stays in Northern Ireland to benefit your local community.

LOUISE GREER