The history of Ireland records many instances of barbarity from all sides, leading the 19th century historian William Lecky to observe: “It is far from clear on which side the balance of cruelty rests.” Attempting to balance the ledger of injustices via a biased recall of history serves only to perpetuate centuries old hatreds and sectarianism.
In a dissonant attempt to demonise integrated education C Hughes (May 17) seeks to valorise the atavistic myths and half-truths that continue to underpin the Catholic narrative. Somewhat paradoxically he calls for “Irish history to be introduced”, while ignoring the equally relevant historic events which inform the Protestant psyche. Where C Hughes recalls Cromwellian injustices, Penal Laws and England’s supposed “invasion” of Ireland, Protestants can point to the Irish Rebellion of 1641 (when thousands of their denomination were massacred by Irish Catholic rebels), to the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre (1572) of the French Calvinists (Huguenots) by Catholic mobs and to Louis XIV’s Edict of Fontainebleau (1685) which outlawed Protestantism.
Protestant antipathy to the Papacy has sound historic basis,as when Pope Pius V condemned Queen Elizabeth I as illegitimate, and excommunicated her, forbidding Catholics, under pain of excommunication, to recognise her authority.
The fact that England never actually invaded Ireland but, as was common practice at the time, was invited over by one Irish lord to assist against his rivals, is conveniently overlooked. So too is Pope Adrian IV’s endorsement of the “invasion”.
To C Hughes’s integrated education, by the mere fact of not being Catholic, represents a natural progression in the history of Catholic persecution, even though it does not stand up to scrutiny.
For the record Lagan College has played Gaelic games since its inception in 1981. DJ Kane, the captain of the Down All-Ireland team of 1994 was on its staff and the school currently fields five Gaelic teams which has both Catholic and Protestant players. In 2018 Lagan College claimed its first trophy, the JJ Reilly Cup when it defeated another integrated school, Drumgask College in the final. Our newest golfing sensation, Charlie Cooley, after carding a course record at Belvoir Golf Club, went on the next day to help his GAA club Rossa win a league game. Charlie attends Lagan College.
Since the advent of integrated education the GAA in NI has become stronger, not weaker (Down, Derry, Donegal, Tyrone all claiming All-Ireland titles), all of which seems to contradict C Hughes’s assertions.
Seamus Mallon’s point cannot be improved on when he said: “We should be looking for solutions instead of confrontation.”
DANNY TREACY
Templepatrick, Co Antrim
Here we go again
A s the old academic selection argument rumbles on into another generation my focus has now moved from my children to my grandchildren
Over the years I could have batted for either team at times, as I get the argument of the comprehensive team in ways. But the truth of the matter is that the 11-plus, warts and all, is about as good as it got. I myself failed it and was sent to a secondary school which actually was the right school for me. I loved it and formed friendships there that have lasted 50 years.
Actually the ‘sheep and goats’ separation into class grades within my secondary school was a worse experience for me than getting the 11-plus fail letter – because, yes, academic selection exists in all schools. Sorry - you can’t escape it.
The 11-plus was the worst possible procedure... apart from everything else.
In Northern Ireland, academic selection, whatever its faults, has left us with social mobility that doesn’t exist in the so-called progressive regions.
Parents don’t get the irony
They dislike academic selection but love the grammar schools.
Indeed, it was the wholesale entry of kids who had no chance of doing well that was part of the problem.
I had to opt my children into the 11-plus – it wasn’t a statutory exam. I could have been all egalitarian and not entered them for the 11-plus and sent them to the local comprehensive/secondary school. That was always an option for us.
Parents were okay with the 11-plus right up to the point where they didn’t get the desired result; then it became unfair.
In England a generation or two back, the societal movers and shakers tended to be grammar school kids from housing estates who had been offered a ladder of opportunity by the ‘Labour party’s 11-plus idea’.
Now all these top jobs are filled by kids from wealthy families who have been privately educated – a 50-year crying shame.
There were always two different camps supporting the grammar schools: those who saw them as a ladder of opportunity for kids from poorer backgrounds, like the late Fr Denis Faul. I would include my self in this camp. But there was also the prep school parents who found that having your kids in a ‘nice school’ sounded better in the golf club or in polite social circles.
Which in all honesty includes more of us than might be prepared to admit to it.
Pragmatism needs to overcome ideology in this debate.
BRIAN GIBSON
Comber, Co Down
Chance to learn more about diabetes
This Volunteers’ Week we’re asking people across Northern Ireland to join us tomorrow at 12.30pm to 1.30pm to find out more about Diabetes UK’s Learning Zone.
The Learning Zone is a free online tool that can help you with advice on things like; what to eat, carb counting and how to manage your diabetes. There are videos, quizzes and interactive tools that are tailored just for you. So, to get you started, join us tomorrow to find out more and how you can get the most out of the Learning Zone. It doesn’t matter if you are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for a long time, there is something for everyone at every stage of their diabetes journey. This includes information for parents, carers and healthcare professionals.
Our zoom session is open to everyone, so come along to hear more about our exciting Learning Zone. Register for the zoom by emailing:
NIvolunteering@diabetes.org.uk.
TINA McCROSSAN
Diabetes UK/Northern Ireland
Stop giving Bryson a platform
W hilst I recognise The Irish News’s need to report on all sides of our community, I urge you to stop giving Jamie Bryson a platform. His own people gave him a blue wheelie bin so as he can pronounce his ignorant, ill-judged and sectarian nonsense.
In contrary, you describe this unelected individual, regularly with words such as ‘leading’ and ‘prominent’.
Please let him project his views from the lesser thought of publications, or the plastic container where they all should end up.
BEN McQUAID
Dungannon, Co Tyrone