Replies

"You are right about one thing however, it is over now, but regarding the fact that Northern Ireland still remains part of the UK and the IRA is calling an end to their war and dumping arms I think all reasonable people would question your opinion as to who lost."

The Fenian Movement vis a vie Clan na Gael was really reborn here in the states before the turn of the 20th Century and has been funded since then from the states. Its no longer funded from here and their new funding source - drugs and theft - are being pursued by the police North and South and runs counter to the beliefs of those who really "believe". It's over.

As far as who won. We did. Celts of every stripe, Catholic, Protestant - whatever. Descendants of Ireland and Scotland live, prosper and lead in every advanced nation in the world. We are no longer the bog trotters or servants. Ireland in its own right is the powerhouse of the European economy. And Ulster, well its been so shattered over the past hundred years that it will take them time to catch up to the changes in the world that have come to the US and Britain, where for the most part the idea of a people being divided by how they worship the same God is silly.

The fact that Ulster remains a part of Britain is for the most part irrelevant in this day and age. Truth be told - if given their druthers now, I think neither the British or Republic really wants them. It is going to take them (Ulster) time to get over the Palestinian malaise of violence, but I have no doubt that in a generation or so that they will, and then will finally be able to govern themselves without throwing rocks at each other.

"As far as who won. We did. Celts of every stripe, Catholic, Protestant - whatever. Descendants of Ireland and Scotland live, prosper and lead in every advanced nation in the world. We are no longer the bog trotters or servants. Ireland in its own right is the powerhouse of the European economy. And Ulster, well its been so shattered over the past hundred years that it will take them time to catch up to the changes in the world that have come to the US and Britain, where for the most part the idea of a people being divided by how they worship the same God is silly."

Very good statement!

Give peace a chance and to the holders of old grudges, give it a rest. I share a name with famous IRA leaders, and my ancestors were kicked off of lands by Cromwell's minions 400 years ago, but that was ancient history. I never liked the IRA, any more than I like Arafat or Bin Laden, and anyone who hates terrorism should hate the IRA, they taught the Jihadists a thing or two that have led to dead Israelis, Americans, and Muslims ... They are all the same breed of extremist murderers.

The IRA was a useless and dangerous terrorist organization that did nothing to help Northern Ireland, but hurt it immensely, and closing the chapter on their destructiveness is a GOOD THING all around.

Hurrah!