We Ourselves... a new era or just superficial?

[Scotty]

In an ironic twist of language, most of you will know the term "We Ourselves" in it's Gaeilge form, Sinn Féin. If you still don't know, then the term "IRA" will be something you do recognise.

My family stem from two places, one side from Gipf-Oberfick, Aargau, Switzerland, once a Germanic, then Prussian domain. The other part being from Derry, Northern Ireland. It is the latter side of my family I have experienced many losses since my birth, many I did not know, but my cousin Sean and uncle Lorcan I loved dearly, lost to what my Grandfather and Grandmother, and all Irish, call "The Troubles".

An Irishman reading this will know from my blog already that I am Irish Catholic, specifically from my use of the name "Derry" rather than the British name "Londonderry" as seen on most modern maps. Apart from the bleedingly obvious reference to Sinn Féin.

The point of this blog is just to applaud Martin McGuinness on supporting the St Andrews Agreement and placing our voice into an era in history where we do not have to take lives and have ours taken just to be heard. It will be a long journey yet before we see a united Ireland, but I believe this is the first step to heal old wounds, even if the scars remain.

I don't usually like to get into politics but this is something that hits close to me. I'm interested to see what Kev and Donny say about this having probably more immediate family and friends there, I'm interested to see how it affects others and if they have any faith in this change. Anyway, pour the next guinness

Sláinte!

[linelevel]

I'll be over there in July, I'll ask my family if it means anything to them, to me not really cos I've been here for 19 years, but its something I should know more about

[OSC]

Having grandparents, great-grandaparents, great-great-grandparents etc.. who were deeply involved with the Apprentice Boys of Derry and with the troubles. I always hated going to N. Ireland twice a year as a kid to visit these strange and passionate people. They scared the crap out of me. The army walking around with guns usually in groups of six.. 3 on each side of the road, kerbs painted red, white and blue or orange, green and white outside houses. There was always a sense of unease about the place. The stories I was told about who had been killed, who had been beaten up and left on the side of the road and one where my grandad was taken away blindfolded in a van the released and had a gun pointed to his head whilst he was on his knees but was released. It was a 'warning'. My uncle marrying a catholic girl was about as big a drama as one could imagine. One visit to Ireland we went to Bogside to visit her mum... drawn curtains twitching and the streets were deserted in the middle of the day. I was later told that we were expected and had been given 'permission' to go there mainly out of respect for my grandad. I was just petrified. It was like some sort of surreal movie. I could never wait to get the hell out of NI. I even hated going to the annual orange day parade they held in Southport for fear something bad would happen. Dad was smart enough not to have us in Ireland on that day. I never got into the politics of it all though. It was a subject I tried to stay well away from as talking about any of it would erupt in great bursts of anger from my father. Last time I went there as 'grown up' though I saw Ireland for the beautiful country it was and I just loved the people. There was just so much fear and hatred associated with it for me when I was growing up. Still now my dad is unwilling to discuss NI and its history. It's something I'm a lot more interested in as i'm getting older but the relatives who can really tell me things first hand, have died.

I think this as you said, is a step in the right direction. I know how deep feelings run, particularly with the older generation. Unfortunately my grandad died last year aged 95 and it's a shame because I would have loved to heard his views on the the St. Andrews Agreement.

/pointless ramble

[Scotty]

Having...

That is an amazing recollection. My own Grandfather wont talk about it, he gets a disgusted look on his face if I mention it. He believes we have given in to Britain and accepted their rule by acknowledging the Police as an authority. Being younger blood, and not having seen any of the bloodshed first hand, I believe it is a step in the right direction and gives the people an authority to depend on for safety without having to worry about consequences. I'm not sure yet if it a step towards a republic, but atleast it is a welcome pause in violence.

[splinter]

My dad taught me when i was quite young about the awful things the English have done to oppress the Irish and other nations they've colonised. So I've always sympathised with the Irish republican cause.

Was actually reading about the IRA and Provisional IRA last night. They almost bankrupted Lloyds Insurance in 1993 when they blew up a truck outside Liverpool St Station. Caused £350m damage.