Author: Morgan Llywelyn
ISBN: 0812574923 DDC: 813.54
See also: LibraryThing ;
Ned awoke with a start.
The atmosphere in the darkened cabin was warm and close, smelling of lavender wax and fresh linen.
Posts Tagged ‘IRA’
8
Oct
1916
The flatmate bought a shiny new dvd-harddrive-recorder thingy recently, and I have discovered that it will play at least one of my “borrowed” episodes of Veronica Mars , which is great, because the laptop won’t. But now I can still rewatch, and on the big screen of a tv as opposed to a little Pavlovian screen. Its also good news because I’ve sort of decided to put off buying a new laptop for a couple of months. I do want a shiny new one, but, they[1] do say that patience is a virtue.
Anyways, as the flatmate was out last night I recorded Desperate Housewives and so was flicking around the stations after BSG when my attention was caught by a programme on RTE about the hunger strikes in Northern Ireland.
And I was going to post something about them, and how although you have to respect their strength of conviction, it is hard to think about them without thinking about the fact that they were paramilitaries who murdered and bombed people. But I’m not going to. It is such a grey, emotive issue. But I will say that the programme was very interesting and well made, and I’ll have to remember to tune in next week for the second part.
However, am doing a bit of research into the Black and Tans for B#5 at the moment, as he is thinking of doing his special topic for the leaving Cert on them. And you know that old saying about the past repeating itself? Well, its amazing to read some of the views of the likes of Lloyd George and his views on the IRA back then. And whatever anyone says, the IRA/Volunteers of the war of independence are not the same thing as the IRA of the seventies and of today, not even close. In one article David Leeson[2] says that
The insurgency was defined as a threat to law and order. The insurgents were characterised as criminals…law and order had broken down in Ireland, threatening the conditions of civilised society. The men responsible for this breakdown were murderers, not soldiers ‘The very fact that an attempt is made to describe murder by another name, and to make excuses for it as if it were political action, must demoralise the whole life of any country where such excuses can be made’ [quoting PM Andrew Bonar Law, August 1920]
How easy would it be to replace Ireland with Iraq[3] And can’t war be described as mass murder with a political reason?
Obviously the situation in Iraq is very different to that of Ireland in the 1920’s, but I doubt very many of the Iraqi insurgents would see themselves as nothing but criminals. This doesn’t make their actions and less terrible or horrific, but wouldn’t you think that people could look at history and see that you can’t fight ideals with nothing but violence.
Well, from Desperate Housewives to suicide bombers, interesting[4] how that all happened. Feel free to ignore any of the political ramblings. We’ll get back to more interesting things by bring up Battlestar Galtactica. I mean, whats going on back on Caprica? Will Show Spoilers ▼
And whats the story with the half-toaster kid? Poor Sharon and Helo, thinking their daughter is dead. Is el presidenta being a bit harsh? And what the frack is the deal with Caprica Six having visiony things of Gaius? Does that mean that the thing he sees isn’t a Cylon device? Can I ask more questions? Will BSG turn as mysterious and silly as Lost?
Linknotes:
Tags: 1970s, Black and Tans, BSG, history repeats, hunger strikes, insurgency, IRA, Iraq war, Ireland - 1920-21, irish history, Northern IrelandRelated posts
15
Apr
On Another Man’s Wound
ISBN: 094796231x
DDC: 941.5082c1936
Author: Ernie O Malley
First line:
This book is an attempt to show the background of the struggle from 1916 to 1921 between an Empire and an unarmed people.
The title of this book is taken from an old Ulster proverb It is easy to sleep on another man’s wound, and it details his life as an IRA soldier during the War of Independence between 1916 and 1921. He was a student in Dublin at the time of the 1916 Rising, and initially had no real feelings for the rebels. But as time passed he became more caught up in the Irish nationalist movement. He joined the Volunteers, later organised other companies, was taken prisoner, and eventually was appointed commander of the Second Southen, the 2nd largest division of the IRA.
Tags: 8 Stars, 941.5082, biography, Ernie O'Malley, history, IRA, Ireland - 1916-1922, Ireland - Rebellion, Ireland - war of independence, irish history, non-fiction, On Another Man's WoundRelated posts
8
Sep
The Mighty Celt
- Gillian Anderson …. Kate
- Robert Carlyle …. O
- Tyrone McKenna …. Donal
The opening scene of this film makes sure we know who the bad-guy is, Good Joe, the greyhound trainer. We first meet him throwing a bag, full of what we are not certain but are given to understand that it is unwanted pups, into the lake. And he never really improves from that opening.
The film is set in Northern Ireland, with the troubles serving to create a history for some of the characters, while others certainly don’t want to see the Peace Process continue.
Tags: 7 Stars, drama, Gillian Anderson, greyhound, IRA, Northern Ireland, Robert Carlyle, The Mighty Celt, Tyrone McKenna, violenceRelated posts
9
Mar
IRA go GUBU
So just how out of touch with reality are the IRA
I mean they are often condemned for their vigilante style justice, what with the knee-cappings and punishment attacks etc. So, now that they are trying to improve PR with the “local” community, what do they do? Say that they have conducted an investigation, and are willing to shoot those responsible for the murder of Mr. McCartney.
“THE IRAÂ’s offer to shoot the murderers of Robert McCartney shows the Provisional movement is in “political freefall” and in deep crisis, a clearly astonished Justice Minister Michael McDowell said last night.”
Personally I heard their offer mentioned on the news and burst out laughing.
Definition of GUBU.
(EDIT) Full text of the IRA statement
Related posts
When the IRA do it.
Or at least that is according to Mr. McLaughlin on Questions and Answers last night. I was the cinema so didn’t see it, but according to today’s Irish Times he was
“Asked by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, if he would classify the shooting of Ms McConville as a crime, he said: “I think it was wrong”. Asked again if he thought it was a crime, he replied: “No, I do not”.
Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10, was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972. Her remains were found on Shelling Beach, Co Louth, in 2003.
- Mary Brennock (subs required)
<
So obviously we should believe them when they say that the IRA were not involved in the robbery of however many millions from that bank last month. Just like they weren’t involved in the killing of Garda McCabe!
Tags: 1972, crime in Ireland, IRA, Jean McConville, Michael McDowell, Minister for Justice, murder, Questions and AnswersRelated posts
20
May
Minister McDowell
has a speech on the release of those responsible for the death of Garda Jerry McCabe (apols if it is spelt with a G, have seen both versions). The full text is up on politics.ie
He makes a lot of good points (bloody FFers shouldn’t be allowed make sense), but I still don’t like the fact that FF only seem harsh of SR when election time roles around.
Make up your minds boys. Then again this is FF I’m talking about…
Current track: Your Ever Changing Moods by Summer At Shatter Creek
Tags: Fianna Fáil, GardaÃ, IRA, Irish politics, Jerry McCabe, Michael McDowell, Sinn FéinRelated posts
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