I admire your attempt at trying to tell the story of Irish Politics in Northern Ireland from 1969 etc. It is a very difficult job; and for making this attempt, you should be congratulated.

 

I do not agree with all your conclusions in your report. I am looking at it from an Irish Catholic from County Mayo. I feel that it is very difficult to discuss the above period of Irish Politics, in isolation.

 

My references for my arguments are taken from the following books.

1) Interview from "Survivors" - The story of Ireland's struggle as told through some of her outstanding living people recalling events from days of Davitt, through James Connelly , Brugha, Collins, Liam Mellows, and Rory O'Connor to the present time, related to Vinseann Mac Eoin. The main character I am refering to is Tom Maguire Commandant General I.R.A (Second Division).

2) "Star of the Sea" by Joseph O' Connor, which tells the story of the famine period in Galway and Connemara, and a boat trip from Liverpool /Cork to New York in 1847. I take the liberty to quote from this book, a statement made by Charles Trevelyan, Assistant Sectetary to Her Majesty's Trasury, 1847 (Knighted, 1848 for overseeing famine relief.

Quote

          (The Famine) is a punishment from God for an idle, ungrateful and rebellious country, and indolent and nu-self-reliant people. The Irish are suffering fron an affliction of God's providence.

Unquote.

Quote

          Providence sent the potato blight but England made the Famine...  We are sick of the canting talk of those who tell us that we must not blame the British people for the crimes of their rulers against Ireland. We do blame them.

James Connolly, co-leader of the Easter Rising against British Rule 1916.

Unquote.

 

My argument against your proposal is that you cannot speak of the Northern Ireland in isolation from 1969, without first understanding the complete history of Ireland; and making some reference to your statement, in the background notes leading up to your statement.

If your background notes were acceptable to both the Catholic and Prodentant points of view (Impossible task), then I could read your post; and accept what you are trying to do.

 

Off course I would then be looking at your post from the Nationalist point of view, and I am afraid I could not accept your discription of this view.  I am also guilty of been over accommodating to the UK point of view on Irish Politics. It is only when I keep reminding myself of the actual situation as seen throught the eyes of Tom Maguire and Joseph O' Connor; that I realize that it is very important to back the IRA stance on the Good Friday Agreement.

To me there is no other way except for the Good Friday Agreement.