There is a huge change taking place in Ireland which we are all aware of but which we might not have noticed – Ireland is free. It may not be united politically but there is no doubt about it, the spirit of freedom which pervades the whole country assures us that Ireland is free.
Has any of us ever lived in a situation where northern cars were so numerous in the south or vice versa? Business, social activities and sporting events are now assumed to be all-Ireland affairs. Recently, while travelling through Dublin Airport, I saw a sign: ‘Travellers to the UK can now use Duty Free’.
Freedom is a state of mind rather than a political one. Those of us who remember the pre-Troubles border, with the little triangle on the windscreen to show we had the right to cross, and can recall the long queues when the army and police were doing checks, understand this freedom in a way that young people can’t.
There is also and actually a more important aspect to this freedom, that has come in un-noticed and which has been brought about by the nationalist community becoming equal in all ways to our unionist neighbours.
If you recall the stilted conversations that we used to have with the unionist people you will notice now this awkwardness is gone. Before we achieved equality we were always aware that there was something unreal about the relationships in Northern Ireland. Recently I noticed this when I was sitting with a group of people from the unionist community and I was the only nationalist. There was no atmosphere: the conversation was as free as it could have possibly been.
Does freedom in the air equal political unity? Of course not. However, it is becoming clear to all and sundry that as this freedom becomes embedded, political unity cannot be far behind.
Remember here that we are talking about ‘historical’ time where 50 years is a moment and 1690 is as close as yesterday. By pushing for and achieving equality and being content with it for now, the nationalist politicians and community are ‘playing a blinder.’
As Ireland grows richer and Britain becomes the isolated, insular island it longs to be, coupled with a growing and articulate nationalist population, unity will follow freedom, as sure as night shall follow day.
TURLOUGH QUINN
Portglenone, Co Antrim
