100 years ago today

We (the English) have so much form in such matters, it's hard to know where to begin. This was an editorial in Punch magazine in 1862...

“THE MISSING LINK: A creature manifestly between the gorilla and the Negro is to be met within some of the lowest districts of London and Liverpool by adventurous explorers. It comes from Ireland, whence it has contrived to migrate; it belongs in fact to a tribe of Irish savages: the lowest species of Irish Yahoo. When conversing with its kind it talks a sort of gibberish. It is, moreover, a climbing animal, and may sometimes be seen ascending a ladder laden with a hod of bricks.”

And the same underlying sentiment is still there in much of our national dialogue about Ireland - and other countries - albeit wrapped up in slightly more polite language. We need to check ourselves in the mirror first sometimes when speaking about cultures elsewhere.
 
Totally shocking article that.

As a kid we looked out for an old guy who was shipped to Dublin in 1916, he was in the King’s Hussars, he had a few tales to tell. Started my fascination with Irish politics that runs still 50 years later. We have a lot to answer for.
 
Totally shocking article that.

As a kid we looked out for an old guy who was shipped to Dublin in 1916, he was in the King’s Hussars, he had a few tales to tell. Started my fascination with Irish politics that runs still 50 years later. We have a lot to answer for.
I'm sure you've seen it but for anyone who hasn't I'd recommend watching 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley'. Similarly the novel, 'A Star Called Henry' by Roddy Doyle.
 
Yes watched it quite recently actually. Very good.

I normally read more historical stuff than fiction, I avoided reading Stakeknife until recently because of the hype around it, but actually found it very good.
 
I saw an interview on TV a few years ago with Brendan O'Carrol. (He plays Mrs Brown in Mrs Browns Boys). He was researching his family history and found out that his grandfather was shot and killed by a British Agent in a hotel room in Dublin. It seems that this agent was brought from England to specifically kill Black and Tan members. He was quite well known as was his reputation and was easily identified because he only had one leg. (He was actually named but I forget what he was called). Brendan O Carrol traced this agent back to England and found out that he became a judge when he had finished working for British Intelligence.
The Black and Tans knew of this agent and tried on a number of occasions to capture or kill him. He always seemed to get away in t he nick of time. It turns out there was a British agent in the ranks of the Black and Tans who forewarned the Brits of any attempt on his life.
If you ever get to see the interview it is very compelling and shows the human side of a dirty war from a viewpoint of many years later..
 
I saw an interview on TV a few years ago with Brendan O'Carrol. (He plays Mrs Brown in Mrs Browns Boys). He was researching his family history and found out that his grandfather was shot and killed by a British Agent in a hotel room in Dublin. It seems that this agent was brought from England to specifically kill Black and Tan members. He was quite well known as was his reputation and was easily identified because he only had one leg. (He was actually named but I forget what he was called). Brendan O Carrol traced this agent back to England and found out that he became a judge when he had finished working for British Intelligence.
The Black and Tans knew of this agent and tried on a number of occasions to capture or kill him. He always seemed to get away in t he nick of time. It turns out there was a British agent in the ranks of the Black and Tans who forewarned the Brits of any attempt on his life.
If you ever get to see the interview it is very compelling and shows the human side of a dirty war from a viewpoint of many years later..
It was an episode of Who Do You Think You Are
 
You are absolutely right Norfolk- apologies. It should have been the IRA. I think I had a "senior" moment- sorry.
Yes his familly Were acused of being members of the IRA and from the documentary it appears they were. However their treatment appeared very unjust to say the least.
 
What always astounds me is how few Brits seem to really have any understanding of Ireland and the Troubles etc. I bet an alarming number couldn’t even explain how the situation came about or what people wanted from it.
 
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