4-2 Journal: Historical Documentaries (50 points) can’t open the last two have to download app

O n t h e 1 9th o f M arc h , 1 921 o n e o f t h e b ig gest e n g ag em en ts o f t h e A ng lo -Ir is h W ar t o ok p la ce h ere a t C ro ssb arry , 1 0 m ile s w est o f

C ork , o n t h e r o a d t o B an d on .

S urro u nd ed b y B rit is h t r o op s a n d v a stly o u tn um bere d , t h e W est C ork F ly in g C olu m n u nd er T o m B arry in flic te d a t e rrib le d efe at o n

t h e m en o f t h e E sse x a n d H am psh ir e r e g im en ts .

3 9 B rit is h s o ld ie rs w ere k ille d a n d t h re e IR A m en .

O ne o f t h e IR A c o m man d ers t h at d ay w as a y o u ng C ork m an , S ean H ale s.

T w o y e ars la te r, S ean H ale s w as d ead .

A D ail d ep uty , h e w as a ssa ssin ate d b y f o rm er R ep ub lic a n c o m ra d es b eca u se o f h is d ecis io n t o s u p port t h e A ng lo -Ir is h t r e aty .

T h e n ext d ay, in r e sp on se t o S ean H ale s's m urd er, h is n eig hb ou r a n d f o rm er R ep ub lic a n c o lle ag ue, R ic h ard B arre tt, w as e xe cu te d

o n t h e o rd ers o f t h e p ro vis io n al g ove rn m en t.

W rit in g f r o m M ou ntjo y ja il t h e m orn in g b efo re h is d eath , B arre tt c o n d em ned t h is r e p ris a l e xe cu tio n , b ut t o ld h is f a m ily t h at h e w as

r e ad y t o d ie f o r t h e s w eet a n d g lo rio u s c a u se o f Ir is h f r e ed om . A w eek la te r, S ean H ale s's f a m ily w ro te t o t h e C ork e xa m in er t o

e xp re ss t h eir h orro r a n d d is g ust a t w hat t h ey d esc rib ed a s t h e c rim in al f o lly o f R ic h ard B arre tt's e xe cu tio n . T h e H ale s f a m ily ,

e xce p t f o r S ean , h ad t a ke n t h e a n ti- t r e aty s id e.

I n d eed , S ean 's b ro th er, T o m , w ou ld e ve n tu ally le ad t h e a m bush p arty w hic h k ille d M ic h ae l C ollin s. W it h in m on th s, o ld c o m ra d es

h ad b een s e t a t e ach o th er's t h ro a ts , n ot ju st in C ork b ut t h ro u g hou t t h e c o u ntr y , in a c o n flic t w hic h d iv id ed f a m ilie s, c o m munit ie s,

a n d t h e n atio n .

C ro ssb arry r e p re se n te d w hat a u nit e d R ep ub lic a n m ove m en t c o u ld a ch ie ve a g ain st o ve rw helm in g o d ds.

B ut w it h in t w o y e ars , t h at u nit y w as g on e, r e p la ce d b y a b it te r, d iv is iv e , a n d v in d ic tiv e C iv il W ar.

O ne o f t h e d ark e st p erio d s o f r e ce n t Ir is h h is to ry h ad b eg un. T o s o m e, it w as t h e d efin in g m om en t o f Ir e la n d 's p olit ic a l lif e in t h e

2 0th C en tu ry .

T o o th ers , it w as lit tle m ore t h an a s e rie s o f p etty , d is o rg an iz e d s q uab ble s, f o u g ht o u t o ve r t h e h ead s a n d a g ain st t h e w is h es o f a

b ew ild ere d , w ar w eary p op ula tio n . [ A PPLA U SE]

I w as e le cte d b y m en a n d w om en o f a ll p artie s a n d n on e, b y m an y w it h g re at m ora l c o u ra g e w ho s te p ped o u t f r o m t h e f a d ed f la g s

o f t h e C iv il W ar.

[ A PPLA U SE]

F a d ed m ayb e in t h e 1 990s, b ut 7 5 y e ars a g o, t h e f la g s o f w ar w ere f ly in g h ig h.

T h e M in is te r f o r D efe n se , R ic h ard M ulc a h y, c a lle d o n h is f o rc e s t o r a lly a g ain st t h eir a n ti- t r e aty e n em ie s, w hose c a m paig n h e

d esc rib ed a s a m ad ness f r o m w it h in , a m ad ness p erh ap s t h at s till d og s Ir e la n d o n t h e t h re sh old o f a n ew m ille n niu m . 1 922 b eg an

w it h Ir e la n d in a p pre h en siv e m ood .

N eg otia tio n s in L o n d on ju st b efo re C hris tm as h ad p ro d uce d t h e t r e aty .

B ut t h e Ir is h t e am le d b y M ic h ae l C ollin s a lr e ad y k n ew t h at s e cu rin g s u p port f o r t h e a g re em en t b ack h om e w ou ld p ro ve e xtr e m ely

d if fic u lt , e sp ecia lly g iv e n c o n te n tio u s is su es s u ch a s t h e o a th o f a lle g ia n ce t o t h e B rit is h c ro w n t o b e t a ke n b y m em bers o f a n y n ew

I r is h p arlia m en ta ry a sse m bly . T h e t r e aty d eb ate s b eg an a s a s e rie s o f d is c ip lin ed e xch an g es, b ut a s a n e xp ecta n t n atio n h eld it s b re ath , s o on d esc e n d ed in to

b it te r d iv is io n .

T h e c e le b ra te d le ad ers o f t h e W ar o f In d ep en d en ce w ere s lo w ly m ovin g in o p posit e d ir e ctio n s.

T h e r o ot c a u se s o f t h is d iv is io n , h ow eve r, la y in d ecis io n s t a ke n m on th s p re vio u sly , e sp ecia lly b y P re sid en t E am on d e V ale ra .

H e s e em ed t o h ave a p erp etu al b ra in sto rm r ig ht f r o m t h e t im e h e m et L lo yd G eorg e in Ju ly o f 1 921.

H e d id n't t a ke C ollin s o ve r w it h h im .

H e in su lt e d h im b y le avin g h im a t h om e.

H e s a w w hat w as o n o ffe r.

H e w as a lo n e f o r t h re e o r f o u r d ays w it h L lo yd G eorg e, t w o o f t h e s h re w dest p olit ic a l b ra in s in E u ro p e.

H e k n ew e xa ctly w hat w as o n t h e t a b le .

A nd h e ju st w asn 't g oin g t o p ic k it u p .

I t is a p ers o n al c e rta in ty o f m in e t h at M r. d e V ale ra , u nab le t o p ers u ad e M ic h ae l t o g o, s p oke w it h B att O 'C on nor, M ic h ae l's c lo se st

f r ie n d , a n d a sk e d h im t o d o w hate ve r h e c o u ld o ve r w hate ve r le n g th o f t im e t o p ers u ad e M ic h ae l t o g o.

A nd t h e f in al q uestio n w as w hen M ic h ae l s a id , n o, I'm b ein g s e t u p .

H e s a id , d on 't a sk m e w ou ld y o u g o f o r lo ve o f Ir e la n d .

H e b lo od y w ell k n ew , h e s a id , t h e o n e r e aso n I w ou ld n't r e fu se .

I 'l l g o, h e s a id , a n d I'l l d o m y d am n b est, a n d I c a n d o n o m ore .

T h e t r e aty w as e ve n tu ally e n d ors e d b y a n arro w m arg in , ju st s e ve n v o te s.

T h e m ajo rit y , le d b y A rth ur G rif fit h , W . T . C osg ra ve , K evin O 'H ig gin s, a n d a b ove a ll, C ollin s, s a w it a s a s te p pin g s to n e t o f u lle r Ir is h

f r e ed om .

B ut t o t h e a n ti- t r e aty m in orit y u nd er d e V ale ra , t h e D ail h ad n o r ig ht t o d is m an tle t h e Ir is h R ep ub lic a lr e ad y e sta b lis h ed b y t h e

v o te s o f t h e p eop le in 1 919.

W here C ollin s f a vo re d p ra g m atis m , d e V ale ra a n d h is s u p porte rs w ere s ta n d in g o n t h e h ig h m ora l g ro u nd o f t h e R ep ub lic .

C om pro m is e o n t h is f u nd am en ta l p rin cip le w as n ot lik e ly . T h e g re at m ajo rit y o f Ir is h n atio n alis ts s im ply w an te d p eace a lo n g w it h

a s m uch in d ep en d en ce a s c o u ld b e g ot.

T h ey w ere n 't e xtr e m is ts .

O n t h e o th er h an d , t h ere w as a s m all g ro u p , in clu d in g s o m e p olit ic ia n s lik e C ath al B ru g ha a n d A ustin S ta ck b ut b y a la rg e

c o n ce n tr a tio n o f t h e a rm y, t h at w ou ld n't a cce p t a n y c o m pro m is e , t h at w ere c o m mit te d t o t h e a b str a ctio n o f t h e r e p ub lic , t h at

w ou ld n't a cce p t a n y e le m en t o f a m on arc h ic c o n nectio n , a n d w ere q uit e h ap py t o g o b ack t o w ar w it h t h e B rit is h .

A nd t h e c ru cia l t h ir d e le m en t t h at c a m e in b etw een t h e t w o e xtr e m es a n d w as d ecis iv e w as p eop le lik e C ollin s. T h e w ors t f a cto r o f a ll w as t h e r h eto ric o f t h e r e p ub lic , t h e f a ct t h at S in n F e in , a n d t h e D ail, a n d a ll t h e S in n F e in p eop le s p oke

a b ou t t h e R ep ub lic a ll t h e t im e, a s if it w as a n a ch ie va b le p ossib ilit y , in a c o u ntr y w hic h o n ly 1 0 y e ars b efo re t h at h ad n ot 1 p erc e n t

o f p eop le s u p porte d .

W ell, h ard ly m ore t h an 1 o r 2 p erc e n t s u p porte d t h e 1 916 r e b ellio n u ntil a ft e r t h e e xe cu tio n .

S o t h e p eop le o f Ir e la n d u p t o 1 916 w ere la rg ely p ro r e m ain in g a t le ast w it h in t h e B rit is h c o m mon w ealt h .

I n f a ct, t h ey w ou ld 'v e s e ttle d f o r h om e r u le o r [ IN AU D IB LE ], w hic h w as a m uch le ss r a d ic a l k in d o f a rra n g em en t. T h e t e n sio n t h at

h ad d og ged t h e t r e aty d eb ate s n ow s p ille d o ve r o n to t h e s tr e ets .

I n t h e e arly m on th s o f 1 922, t h e le ad ers o f t h e o p posin g s id es f o rc e d h om e t h eir c o n tr a stin g p osit io n s t o a n a n xio u s e le cto ra te .

T h e p eop le w ere b ein g a sk e d t o c h oose b etw een t h e t w o p olit ic a l G olia th s w ho t o g eth er h ad t a ke n t h e c o u ntr y t o it s

i n d ep en d en ce .

P e op le v o te d in t h e D ail b y a m ajo rit y o f s e ve n , t a ke s u p t h e t r e aty .

A nd t h at's t h e o n ly a u th orit y I'd o b ey.

T h e o n ly a u th orit y I k n ew , is t h e v o te o f t h e m ajo rit y o f t h e p eop le .

A nd a s I s a id , d e V ale ra , in m y m in d , h ad n o r ig ht t o g o o u t o n h is o w n, a n d s e t u p t h e s it u atio n h e s e t u p , a n d s ta rt t h e C iv il W ar

b y s a yin g h e'd h ave t o le ad t h e Ir is h p eop le t h ro u g h a s e a o f b lo od b efo re a ll t h is w as e n d ed .

W ell, I t h in k t h at's [ IN AU D IB LE ]

e n ou g h t o w ard s e n d in g d e V ale ra h im se lf .

W hen I s a w t h e g ra n d y o u ng m en t h at w ere k ille d , w hen I s a w t h e h ung er s tr ik e s, w hen I s a w , w hat d id t h ey d ie f o r, I s a id t h at

m orn in g .

A nd I c rie d m y h eart o u t.

I c o u ld n't s w allo w a n o a th o f a lle g ia n ce t o t h e K in g o f E n g la n d , n ot t o d ay.

C ou ld n't s w allo w it .

I c o u ld n't d o it .

N ot f o r a m illio n p ou nd s c o u ld I d o it .

N ot f o r a ll Ir e la n d c o u ld I d o it .

T o o n e y o u ng v o lu nte er f r o m C lo n la ra in E ast Ir e la n d , t h e is su es in 1 922 w ere a lo t le ss c le ar t h an t h ey h ad b een d urin g t h e W ar o f

I n d ep en d en ce .

W ell, e arly o n , o f c o u rs e .

t h ere w as a lo t o f p ro p ag an d a f o rm ed a g ain st u s.

A nd it w as v e ry h ard t o m ake u p o n e's m in d . I w as v e ry y o u ng .

A nd w e w ere d ep en d in g o n , I s u p pose , p eop le lik e C ollin s a n d d e V ale ra t o e n lig hte n u s o n t h e f u tu re o r o n w hat t h e t r e aty m ean t.

S o I f in ally h ad t o m ake u p m y m in d a b ou t it .

B ut t h en , o f c o u rs e , t h ere w ere a ll k in d o f t h in g s s a id .

T h at if it w as g ood f o r M ic h ae l C ollin s, it w as g ood e n ou g h f o r u s, a n d s o o n .

A nd I t h in k, g ra d ually it w as e xp la in ed t o u s.

M ost o f u s, I t h in k in D ub lin a n yh ow , b eg an t o s u p port C ollin s, a n d e sp ecia lly w hen t h e o p posit io n b eca m e r a th er v io le n t, a n d it

t h re ate n ed t h at t h e Ir is h p eop le h ad n o r ig ht t o [ IN AU D IB LE ] o n a n d a ll t h is k in d o f f e elin g . T h e n atio n al d ile m ma o ve r t h e t r e aty

w as c o m plic a te d b y t h e s ta tu re w hic h d e V ale ra e n jo ye d .

O n e arlie r v is it s t o t h e U nit e d S ta te s a n d t o L o n d on , h e'd b een h era ld ed a s a n in te rn atio n al s ta te sm an .

A nd t h is o n ly u nd erlin ed t h e e ste em in w hic h h e w as h eld in Ir e la n d .

T h e Ir is h p eop le c e rta in ly w an te d p eace .

B ut m an y w ou ld n ot t u rn e asily a g ain st t h eir p olit ic a l c h am pio n .

A nd m an y m ore w ere d ete rm in ed t o s u p port h is a n ti- t r e aty p osit io n w it h s o m eth in g o th er t h an r h eto ric .

T h ere c o u ld h ave b een , a n d p ro b ab ly w ou ld h ave b een , h eart s e arc h in g a n d p ossib ly s o m e is o la te d f ig htin g o ve r t h e q uestio n o f

t h e o ld , w hic h w as s o m eth in g t o s tu ck in t h e c ra w , u nd ers ta n d ab ly , o f R ep ub lic a n s.

T h at's w hat t h ey f o u g ht f o r, a r e p ub lic , n ot s u b sc rib in g t o t h e H ou se o f W in d so r.

B ut t h ere w as n o w ay t h at t h ey w ou ld h ave h ad t h e C iv il W ar t h at t h ey h ad w it h ou t t h is e n orm ou s f ig ure le n d in g h im se lf t o t h em .

I n t h e m on th o f M arc h , f o r e xa m ple , h e w as t a lk in g a b ou t w ad in g t h ro u g h b lo od a s h e a d dre sse d h ug e g ath erin g s o f a rd en t,

f e rv e n t y o u ng c o u ntr y la d s w it h r if le s. N ow r e m em ber t h at t h e F ir s t S ou th ern D iv is io n , c o m man d ed b y L ia m L y n ch , h ad o p pose d

t h e t r e aty w it h in d ays o f it s s ig nin g , lo n g b efo re d e V ale ra h ad m ad e a n y, m on th s b efo re h e'd m ad e a n y o f t h ose s p eech es.

S o h e s tir re d t h in g s u p .

H e m ake t h in g s m ore a w kw ard f o r C ollin s a n d t h e p ro vis io n al g ove rn m en t.

H e b eh ave d in a m ost ir re sp on sib le m an ner.

B ut t h ere w ou ld h ave b een t r o u b le a n yw ay b y t h at s ta g e, b y M arc h w hen h e m ad e t h ose s p eech es.

T h ere w as g oin g t o b e a c o n flic t. H e g ave le ad ers h ip , I t h in k, t o a g ro u p o f p eop le a t t h at t im e w here le ad ers h ip w as r e q uir e d .

A nd m y f a th er a n d m y m oth er w ere p art o f t h at g ro u p o f p eop le w ho t h ou g ht t h at M r. d e V ale ra w as n ear e n ou g h t o o r n ext t o

G od .

T h e e d uca te d m an , t h e p ro fe sso r, t h e p re sid en t m ig ht h ave g iv e n le ad ers h ip .

M ayb e it h ad r e ach ed t h e s ta g e w here s o m uch w as g ot t h at s o m e p la ce d a lo t o f e m phasis o n t h e lit tle t h at w asn 't g ot. S ay, if h e s u p porte d t h e t r e aty a n d s to od b y C ollin s t h ere 'd b e n o C iv il W ar.

B ut a n um ber o f m y c o lle ag ues d id g o a n ti- t r e aty a n d t o ok p art in t h e C iv il W ar.

B ut I d id n't lo se r e sp ect f o r t h em b eca u se o f t h at.

I t h in k t h ey w ere m is le d .

A nd m ost o f t h em , I t h in k, r e aliz e d , t h at a ft e rw ard s, t h at t h ey t o ok t h e w ro n g s id e a lt o g eth er.

T a kin g s id es in t h e s p rin g o f 1 922 o ft e n m ean t t a kin g u p a rm s.

T h e v io le n t t r a d it io n in Ir is h r e p ub lic a n is m w as a g ain f le xin g it s m usc le s w hile p olit ic s a n d p olit ic ia n s b eca m e s lo w ly m arg in aliz e d .

S om e a n ti- t r e aty le ad ers e ve n s p oke o p en ly a b ou t a m ilit a ry d ic ta to rs h ip .

T h e s o ld ie rs b elie ve d t h at t h ey h ad d on e t h e f ig htin g .

T h ey h ad f r e ed Ir e la n d .

T h e p olit ic ia n s w ere c iv ilia n s.

T h ey w ere , if y o u lik e , u ntr u stw orth y.

P o lit ic s w as a d ir ty g am e.

T h e p eop le d id n't r e ally k n ow w hat t h e t r u e in te re sts o f Ir e la n d w ere .

T h e p eop le w ere e n sla ve d .

T h ey h ad a s la ve m in d .

T h at's a r e al R ep ub lic a n c a tc h p hra se o f t h at p erio d a n d la te r.

S ean M acB rid e is v e ry f o n d o f it .

W e k n ow b ette r t h an t h e o rd in ary p eop le w hat is g ood f o r Ir e la n d b eca u se w e h ave e arn ed Ir is h f r e ed om w it h o u r b lo od .

T h ere fo re , w e h ave t h e r ig ht t o r u le .

T h ose p eop le , t h ey w ere p re te n d in g t o h ave a g ove rn m en t a n d p re te n d in g t o h ave s o m e r ig ht t o r u le t h e c o u ntr y w hic h t h ey

h ad n't g ot.

I t im plie d t h at t h ey w ere t h e o n ly R ep ub lic a n s a n d t h at t h ey h ad s o m e b ra n d o f p atr io tis m t h at o th ers h ad n't g ot.

B ut w e w ho s id ed w it h t h e t r e aty w ere ju st a s R ep ub lic a n a s t h ey w ere .

B ut t h ey a b use d t h e v e ry n am e.

T h e v e ry w ord R ep ub lic a n w as a b use d a ro u nd t h at p erio d .

T h ey d id n't k n ow d em ocra cy . T h ey w ere u nd er B rit is h r u le f o r 8 00 y e ars .

T h ey w ere c o m in g t o t h e e n d o f t h at p erio d o f c o lo n ia lis m .

A nd it h as t o b e s a id t h at t h e B rit is h h ad v e ry lit tle c o n ce p t o f d em ocra cy w hen t h ey w ere t a lk in g a b ou t Ir e la n d .

S o m y f a th er w as b ro u g ht u p in a n e ra w here it w as in su rg en cy , it w as r e su rre ctio n , it w as in d ep en d en ce .

A nd in evit a b ly , d em ocra cy a s y o u a n d I k n ow it n ow t a ke s s e co n d p la ce t o w hat y o u w is h t o a ch ie ve in a r e vo lu tio n ary s e n se .

I r e la n d w as n ow s lid in g r a p id ly t o w ard s w ar.

M ass m eetin g s a d dre sse d b y m in is tr y le ad ers r e p la ce d p olit ic a l g ath erin g s.

D ia lo g ue c o u ld e ffe ctiv e ly b een s ile n ce d .

O f c o u rs e , it w as n atu ra l a n d s e n sib le in t h e lig ht o f t h e h is to ry o f A ng lo -Ir is h r e la tio n s f o r Ir is h n atio n alis ts t o d is tr u st a B rit is h

g ove rn m en t, p artic u la rly a g ove rn m en t h ead ed b y L lo yd G eorg e, t h e w ilie st, a n d m ost d is h on est, a n d t r e ach ero u s, a n d c u nnin g o f

a ll B rit is h p rim e m in is te rs .

O f c o u rs e , s u sp ic io n w as n atu ra l.

B ut in t h e lig ht o f w hat h ap pen ed la te r, d e V ale ra a n d t h e R ep ub lic a n s g ot it w ro n g . I t h in k t h at d e V ale ra h as e n orm ou s m ora l

g uilt o n h is h an d s.

I t h in k in la te r lif e , h e p ro b ab ly r e aliz e d it . H e d id s a y t o Jo e M cG ra th , it is m y c o n sid ere d o p in io n t h at in t h e f u lln ess o f t im e,

M ic h ae l C ollin s's r e p uta tio n w ill g o u p , a n d it w ill b e a t m y e xp en se .

I n d eed , C ollin s, a t t h is t im e, w as t h e o n e f ig ure w ho m ig ht h ave h eld t h e s it u atio n t o g eth er.

H e w as a ctiv e o n s e ve ra l f r o n ts , s tr ik in g a d eal w it h N orth ern p re m ie re , S ir Ja m es C ra ig , t o h alt a p pallin g s e cta ria n m urd ers in

B elf a st, p re ssin g L lo yd G eorg e t o a cce p t R ep ub lic a n p ro p osa ls o n a d ra ft c o n stit u tio n f o r t h e n ew s ta te , a n d r e sis tin g W in sto n

C hurc h ill's d em an d s t h at t h e s it u atio n in Ir e la n d d em an d ed b lo od sh ed , w hic h h e f e lt in t h e f ir s t p la ce o u g ht t o b e Ir is h b lo od .

C ollin s r e sp on d ed w it h p olit ic a l a p lo m b.

H e c o b ble d t o g eth er a n e le cto ra l p act w it h d e V ale ra t o p re se n t a jo in t p an el o f S in n F e in c a n d id ate s t o t h e p eop le in t h e e le ctio n

s c h ed ule d f o r Ju ne 1 922.

W hat C ollin s w as t r y in g t o e n su re w as a v o te f r e e f r o m in tim id atio n o r v io le n ce .

I f h e g ot t h is , h e b elie ve d , t h en t h e p eop le 's v e rd ic t w ou ld b e v e ry m uch in h is f a vo r. A nd o ve rw helm in g ly , it w as, n o le ss s o

b eca u se o f h is d ecis io n o n t h e e ve o f P o llin g D ay m ore o r le ss t o t e ar u p h is a g re em en t w it h d e V ale ra .

T h e e le ctio n r e su lt s w ere a m assiv e p op ula r e n d ors e m en t o f t h e t r e aty , a m ajo rit y o f 4 t o 1 in f a vo r o f t h e a g re em en t.

D e V ale ra n ow k n ew t h at h e w as b attlin g a g ain st a t id al w ave o f p ub lic o p in io n .

O pposin g t h e w ill o f t h e p eop le , h e la te r a d m it te d , is b y f a r t h e g re ate st w eakn ess o f o u r c a u se . A n a lr e ad y e xp lo siv e s it u atio n

w ors e n ed d ra m atic a lly in la te Ju ne w it h t h e k illin g in L o n d on o f S ir H en ry W ils o n , a n a rc h e n em y o f Ir is h r e p ub lic a n is m .

T w o Ir is h v o lu nte ers w ere c a p tu re d a t t h e s c e n e. T h e B rit is h g ove rn m en t r e sp on d ed f u rio u sly , d em an d in g o n ce m ore t h at a ctio n b e t a ke n a g ain st t h ose w ho w ere o p posin g t h e

i m ple m en ta tio n o f t h e t r e aty .

I r e la n d 's p ro vis io n al g ove rn m en t, u nd er t h e le ad ers h ip o f A rth ur G rif fit h , f in ally d ecid ed t o a ct.

G rif fit h m ig ht w ell h ave d on e s o e arlie r b ut f o r t h e in flu en ce o f C ollin s. D ub lin 's F o u r C ou rts h ad b een o ccu p ie d b y a n ti- t r e aty

f o rc e s s in ce m id -A pril.

T h ese m en s a w t h em se lv e s a s a s y m bol, t h e n atu ra l s u cce sso rs t o t h e m en a n d w om en o f t h e 1 916 r is in g .

T h ey w ou ld s e iz e t h e G PO in s im ila r c ir c u m sta n ce s.

M ilit a rily , it w as a c u l- d e-s a c.

B ut t h e R ep ub lic a n s, le d b y R ory O 'C on nor, w ere d ete rm in ed t o m ake a d efia n t g estu re o f o p posit io n t o t h e p ro vis io n al

g ove rn m en t a n d t o t h e t r e aty .

A t 4 :3 0 o n t h e m orn in g o f Ju ne t h e 2 8th , F re e S ta te t r o op s u sin g t w o f ie ld g uns b orro w ed f r o m t h e B rit is h o p en ed f ir e o n t h e

o ccu p ie d b uild in g s.

I n sid e, t h e a n ti- t r e aty f o rc e s r e m ain ed d efia n t, in s o m e w ays r e lie ve d t h at m on th s a f u tile n eg otia tio n s h ad f in ally b ro u g ht Ir e la n d

b ack t o w ar, a lb eit a w ar w it h it s e lf . T h e in evit a b le o u tc o m e w as t h e n ear d em olit io n o f t h e F o u r C ou rts , a n d w it h it , Ir e la n d 's

N atio n al A rc h iv e s d atin g b ack h und re d s o f y e ars a n d , o f c o u rs e , ir re p la ce ab le . A n ig nom in io u s s u rre n d er f o llo w ed .

A nd t h e a rre st o f m an y o f t h e a n ti- t r e aty le ad ers w eake n ed t h eir c a u se a t t h e v e ry m om en t w hen t h eir le ad ers h ip w as n eed ed

m ost.

A t t h e s ta rt o f t h e C iv il w ar, t h e a n ti- t r e aty s id e h eld t h e m ilit a ry in it ia tiv e .

B ut p oin tle ss e xe rc is e s s u ch a s t h e o ccu p atio n o f t h e F o u r C ou rts m ean t t h at s tr a te g ic o p portu nit ie s w ere lo st.

M an y s u ch m is ta ke s w ere t o b e m ad e in t h e m on th s a h ead .

F ig htin g n ow s p re ad t o t h e r e st o f D ub lin .

A nd s o on , h alf o f O 'C on nell s tr e et w as in r u in s.

T h e C iv il w ar w as n ow w ell a n d t r u ly o n . C asu alt ie s b eg an t o in cre ase .

T h e f ig htin g in D ub lin le ft m ore t h an 6 0 d ead , a m on g t h em t h e f o rm er M in is te r f o r D efe n se , C ath al B ru g ha.

T h ose le ad ers w ho e sc a p ed d eath o r a rre st f le d s o u th t o c o n tin ue t h e w ar, le avin g D ub lin s m old erin g b ut s e cu re in s u p port o f t h e

t r e aty . P ro vis io n al g ove rn m en t t r o op s s w if t ly p urs u ed t h eir o p pon en ts t h ro u g h W ic k lo w a n d K ild are , a n d o n t o W exfo rd a n d

W ate rfo rd .

R ap id r e cru it m en t in to t h e N atio n al A rm y a n d s u p erio r f ir e p ow er m ean t t h at a d va n ce w as r e la tiv e ly u nhin d ere d .

W here f ig htin g d id o ccu r, c a su alt ie s w ere f a ir ly lig ht.

I t w as m ere ly a m atte r o f h ow lo n g t h e p ro -t r e aty a d va n ce c o u ld b e d ela ye d .

I n L im eric k , p ro - a n d a n ti- t r e aty f o rc e s h ad b een in vo lv e d in a n u nco m fo rta b le s ta n d off f o r m on th s. B ut h ere a g ain , t h e a n ti- t r e aty s id e, w it h ou t a rtille ry , w ere q uic k ly d is lo d ged .

T h ese s u cce sse s f o r t h e p ro vis io n al g ove rn m en t p ut p aid t o t h e a n ti- t r e aty s id e's n otio n o f d efe n d in g a m yth ic a l R ep ub lic o f

M unste r, s o u th o f a lin e f r o m L im eric k t o W ate rfo rd .

I t h ad s u rv iv e d b are ly a m on th . G ove rn m en t t r o op s f o llo w ed t h eir o p pon en ts in to C ou nty L im eric k w here a t r ia n g ula r c o u ntr y sid e,

d efin ed b y t h e t o w ns o f K ilm allo ck , B ru re e, a n d B ru ff, s a w s o m e o f t h e f ie rc e st f ig htin g o f t h e C iv il W ar.

P re ssu re o n t h e a n ti- t r e aty it e s w as in cre ase d w hen g ove rn m en t f o rc e s la n d ed b y s e a a t C ork a n d T ra le e.

B y t h e e arly p art o f A ug ust 1 922, t h e a n ti- t r e aty IR A c o u ld n ot le g it im ate ly c la im t o c o n tr o l a s in g le , s iz a b le p ortio n o f Ir is h s o il.

A s t h ose w ho s a w t h e f ig htin g k n ew o n ly t o o w ell, it h ad b een a b it te r s tr u g gle .

I k n ew it w ou ld b e r o tte n .

I w is h I c o u ld s e e t h at [ IN AU D IB LE ]

t h e h eig ht o f f o lly .

H ow w ere t h e a n ti- t r e aty it e s g oin g t o g et a r e p ub lic b y s h ootin g o u t t h e o th er m en 's b ra in s?

A nd h ow w ere t h e o th er p arty g oin g t o g et a n yth in g b y s h ootin g t h e o p posit e s id e? T h ey w ere s u p plie d p le n ty a rm s, b oth s id es, b y

t h e E n g lis h g ove rn m en t. L lo yd G eorg e w as d elig hte d w it h it .

H e s a id , t h ey'r e d oin g a h urt w e w ou ld n't h ave t o d o-- k illin g e ach o th er. A p ro -t r e aty o ffic e r s till r e m em bers t h e a ft e rm ath o f a n

I R A s n ip er a m bush a lo n g t h e S ou th M all in C ork C it y .

S o I w en t o ve r t o t h e m en t h at w ere k n ock e d o u t b y t h e m ach in e-g un b us.

A nd I p unch ed a n a rm in to t h e d oor o f t h e [ IN AU D IB LE ]

w hic h w ere k in d o f a p ortic o w it h G re cia n p illa rs a n d a ll t h at.

A nd t h ere w as a s o ld ie r in t h ere .

A nd h e w as f la ilin g lik e t h is is a ll d ir e ctio n s.

A nd t h en I t h ou g ht h e g oin g t o h ave h is h ead a lt o g eth er.

A nd t h en , b ulle ts w as r ic o ch etin g o ff t h e p illa rs a n d e ve ry w here .

S o I s n ap ped t h e r if le o ff h im , a n d e m ptie d it , a n d t h re w it a w ay.

I t o ld h im , c o m e o n o u t h ere a n d h elp w it h t h e m en t h at a re d yin g .

S o I w en t o u t a n d m ix e d w it h t h e m en d yin g .

A nd t w o m en d ie d in m y a rm s a s I s a id a n A ct o f C on tr it io n in to t h eir e ar. A nd t h e la st w ord t h ey s a id , b oth o f t h em y o u ng m en ,

o n ly 1 8 o r 1 9, [ C RYIN G ]

t h e la st w ord t h ey s a id w as m oth er. B oth o f t h em s a id m oth er a t t h e s a m e t im e. T h at w as t h e la st w ord t h at t h ey s a id .

T h ey ju st d ie d .

T h ere w ere f o u r m en k ille d , I t h in k.

I t w as a s a d p erio d in Ir is h h is to ry .

I t w as g ra n d w hen t h ey w ere f ig htin g t h e B rit is h , b ut f ig htin g t h eir o w n p eop le w as a d if fe re n t m atte r a lt o g eth er.

I t le ft a n a w fu l lo t o f b it te rn ess d ow n t h e y e ars . B it te rn ess d eep en ed in A ug ust w it h t h e d eath s o f t w o o f t h e le ad in g f ig ure s o n t h e

p ro -t r e aty s id e.

F ir s t, A rth ur G rif fit h s u ffe re d a m assiv e b ra in h em orrh ag e.

M ic h ae l C ollin s le d t h e m ou rn ers a t h is f u nera l, h e h im se lf s till e n g ag ed in t h e s o rt o f a ctiv it ie s t h at G rif fit h c le arly d is a p pro ve d o f,

s u ch a s t r y in g t o m ain ta in c o n ta ct a n d d ia lo g ue w it h t h e a n ti- t r e aty IR A. C ollin s w as s till d ete rm in ed t o w in o ve r h is f o rm er

c o m ra d es.

B ut 1 0 d ays la te r, h e t o o w ou ld d ie , s h ot in a n a m bush in h is h om e c o u nty b y t h ose s a m e a n ti- t r e aty o p pon en ts . T h e t h ou sa n d s

w ho lin ed t h e r o u te o f h is f u nera l c o rte g e m ust h ave f e are d t h at w it h C ollin s's d eath , s o t o o h ad d ie d a n y lin g erin g p ro sp ects f o r a

n eg otia te d e n d t o Ir e la n d 's d eep en in g c ris is . C ollin s h op ed t h at h e c o u ld p ut t o g eth er w hat b eca m e t h e F re e S ta te rs a n d t h e

R ep ub lic a n s t o g eth er in to o n e Ir is h a rm y.

A nd h e c e rta in ly s a id , lo ok, w e'l l a rm .

A nd t h en w e'l l d o s o m eth in g a b ou t t h e N orth .

H e a ctu ally a cte d w it h t h e s a m e m eth od olo g y a n d in te n t a s a n y c h ie f o f s ta ff in t h e P ro vis io n al IR A. H ad h e liv e d , h e w ou ld h ave

b een a f o rc e f o r, o n o n e h an d , p rim e m ilit a ry m easu re s o f t h e s o rt h e h ad e n g ag ed in , a n d o n t h e o th er, a tte m pts t o e n d t h e

c o n flic t w it h h is o ld , c lo se f r ie n d s.

T h ere h ave b een t h em w ho s u p pose t h at C ollin s w as t h e m an w ho m ad e t h e r ig ht d ecis io n a n d t h e p eop le t h at f o llo w ed h im m ad e

t h e r ig ht d ecis io n . A nd I t h in k p eop le o p pose d t o h im t h en , a ft e rw ard s, r e aliz e d t h at h e w as t h e m an t h at w ou ld h ave u nit e d t h e

c o u ntr y h ad h e liv e d .

T h e p ro vis io n al g ove rn m en t's r e sp on se t o C ollin s's d eath a n d t h e c o n tin uin g g uerrilla w arfa re w as t h e im posit io n in S ep te m ber

1 922 o f m artia l la w a n d t h e in tr o d uctio n o f t h e d eath p en alt y f o r a w id e r a n g e o f o ffe n se s.

W ell, it w as a h ars h t im e.

I m ean , t h e C iv il W ar w as h ars h .

I t w as b ru ta l.

A nd I t h in k t h at h as t o b e u nd ers to od .

A s M in is te r f o r D efe n se , M ulc a h y's r a tio n ale w as t h at h e w an te d a p olic y in p la ce , a le g al p olic y t h at w ou ld e n ab le c o u rts o f la w t o

e xe cu te p eop le w ho h ad b een f o u nd g uilt y o f a tr o cit ie s a g ain st t h e F re e S ta te a rm y.

A nd w it h s u ch a p olic y , h e h op ed t o c o n tr o l t h e F re e S ta te A rm y. B eca u se h e f e lt t h at if t h ey d id n't h ave t h at, t h en t h ey w ou ld b e m ore lik e ly t o t a ke t h e la w in to t h eir o w n h an d s.

A nd t h at's w hat h e w an te d t o p re ve n t.

T h ey c e rta in ly b ro u g ht a b ou t t h e d esir e d e ffe ct, t h at t h ey s to p ped t h e C iv il W ar.

I m ean , V iv ia n d e V ale ra t o ld m e t h at h is f a th er u se d t o s a y t o h im p riv a te ly t h at if it w asn 't f o r t h e e xe cu tio n s, t h e C iv il W ar w ou ld

s till b e g oin g o n .

T h e g ove rn m en t u nd er W .T . C osg ra ve e sta b lis h ed a s y ste m o f m ilit a ry t r ib unals w it h t h e p ow er t o o rd er t h e d eath p en alt y f o r

t h ose w ho w ere f o u nd m ere ly in p osse ssio n o f a w eap on .

O nly t h e c e rta in ty o f d eath , it w as a rg ued , w ou ld d ete r a n ti- t r e aty f o rc e s f r o m t h eir c a m paig n o f m urd er a n d s a b ota g e, a g uerrilla

c a m paig n d esig ned t o p re ve n t t h e e co n om y f r o m f u nctio n in g a n d t h e F re e S ta te f r o m e sta b lis h in g it s a u th orit y .

I t w as a c le ar c a se o f t h e lif e o f t h e n atio n v e rs u s w hat o n e m in is te r c a lle d a r a b ble o f id ealis ts w it h g uns.

T h ey w ere s u p portin g d em ocra cy in a v ic io u s C iv il W ar.

T h ey t h em se lv e s a cte d v ic io u sly in s u p port o f d em ocra cy .

A nd t h ey w on .

I 'm n ot s a yin g t h at v ic to ry v in d ic a te s t h eir a ctio n s o r ju stif ie s t h eir a ctio n s.

B ut t h ey w ere f a ce d w it h a h orre n d ou s d ile m ma.

T h ey r e sp on d ed b ru ta lly a n d e ffe ctiv e ly .

A nd I d on 't t h in k a n yb od y w ou ld lik e t o b e a m em ber o f t h at g ove rn m en t f a ce d w it h t h e c h oic e s a va ila b le t o t h em .

I t h in k t h e n eed f o r e xe cu tio n s f a d ed v e ry q uic k ly , a n d t h at b y t h e e n d o f t h e y e ar, n o f u rth er k illin g w as n ece ssa ry o n e it h er s id e.

B ut I t h in k b y t h en , it 's t h e u su al p ro b le m w it h w ars .

O nce t h ey s ta rt, t h ey'r e v e ry d if fic u lt t o s to p .

A nd I t h in k e ve ry th in g g ot o u t o f c o n tr o l.

T h e F re e S ta te a rm y w as o b vio u sly v e ry im perfe ctly c o n tr o lla b le b y t h e F re e S ta te g ove rn m en t.

A nd o f c o u rs e , o n t h e o th er s id e, t h e IR A w ere n ot c o n tr o lla b le b y a n yb od y, e ve n L ia m L y n ch , a n d c e rta in ly n ot b y E am on d e

V ale ra .

O ne q uestio n w ill a lw ays o ve rs h ad ow t h e r e co rd o f t h is f ir s t Ir is h g ove rn m en t.

W ou ld M ic h ae l C ollin s, w hom t h ey s u cce ed ed , h ave a d op te d a p olic y o f e xe cu tio n s? I b elie ve if M ic h ae l h ad liv e d , t h ose e ve n ts

w ou ld n ot h ave h ap pen ed .

I b elie ve t h e s tr e n g th , t h e m ag netis m , t h e d yn am is m o f h is p ers o n alit y , w ou ld h ave h ad a n in flu en ce t h ere .

B ut e q ually s o , t h ere w as a g ove rn m en t. T h e s ta te w as o p era tio n al.

O pposit io n t o it , w e c a n n ow s a y, lo okin g b ack w it h ou t b it te rn ess, w as ille g al.

T h ere w ere v e ry t r a g ic a n d s a d t h in g s d on e o n b oth s id es.

I t h in k it s h ow ed a m ean -s p ir it e d ness o f t h e p eop le t h at c a m e a ft e r C ollin s.

I 'm t a lk in g a b ou t C osg ra ve , a n d O 'H ig gin s, B ly th e, a n d F it z g era ld .

A nd I b elie ve t h at h ad C ollin s liv e d , t h at h e w ou ld n't h ave g ot t h ose e xce sse s.

I t h in k h e w ou ld 'v e p ro se cu te d t h e w ar in a v ig oro u s w ay, t h e C iv il W ar o n b eh alf o f t h e F re e S ta te , b ut I d on 't t h in k h e'd h ave g ot

t h e e xce sse s o f s ta te r e p ris a ls a n d o ffic ia l a n d u noffic ia l e xe cu tio n s o f a t le ast t h e e xte n t o f t h em .

7 7 p eop le w ere e xe cu te d d urin g t h e w ar b y a g ove rn m en t d esc rib ed a s u nen th usia stic d em ocra ts .

B y n o m ean s a ll t h eir s u p porte rs e n d ors e d t h is c o n tr o ve rs ia l p olic y .

I d id n't lik e it a b it .

N o, I d id n't lik e it a b it .

I t h ou g ht it w as t o o s e ve re .

B ut t h ey w ou ld c h oose t h em t h em se lv e s.

T h ere w as v e ry lit tle s e le ctio n a s t o w ho s h ou ld b e e xe cu te d , I t h ou g ht.

A nyo n e w ou ld d o.

I t w as a c a se o f ju st p ro vin g a n e xa m ple .

T h at is , if y o u b re ak t h e la w , y o u w ill d ie .

A nd t h at's it .

T h ere w ere m ore e xe cu te d in t h e C iv il b lo od y W ar o n D ub lin t h an t h ere w as o n a n yw here e ls e .

T h ey t o ok t h em o u ts id e a n d s h ot t h e f e llo w s t h at w ere in ja il a n d o u ts id e, t h ey w ere d ra g ged o u t a n d s h ot.

I 'd s a y t h ey g ot t h eir [ IN AU D IB LE ]

a ct t o g eth er in D ub lin .

I w as a s o ld ie r.

A nd m y jo b w as t o o b ey o rd ers a n d w e h ad a g ove rn m en t e le cte d b y t h e p eop le .

I s a w n oth in g w ro n g in d ealin g w it h m en w ho w ere n 't p re p are d t o a cce p t t h e r o le o f t h e p eop le . T h e s h ootin g o f t w o T D s in e arly

D ece m ber p ro vo ke d a n oth er s h arp r e sp on se f r o m t h e F re e S ta te a u th orit ie s. I n e m erg en cy s e ssio n f o llo w in g S ean H ale s's d eath , t h e g ove rn m en t o rd ere d t h at in r e p ris a l, f o u r R ep ub lic a n p ris o n ers , R ic h ard

B arre tt f r o m C ork , Jo se p h M cK elv e y f r o m t h e N orth , L ia m M ello w s, a n d IR A le ad er R ory O 'C on nor b e e xe cu te d w it h ou t t r ia l.

T h e c a b in et d ecis io n o n O 'C on nor h ad c a u se d M in is te r f o r Ju stic e , K evin O 'H ig gin s, t h e g re ate st d if fic u lt y .

B are ly a y e ar e arlie r, O 'C on nor h ad b een b est m an a t O 'H ig gin s's w ed din g , ju st m on th s b efo re h e s p lit w it h h is o ld f r ie n d t o

b eco m e c o m man d er-in -c h ie f o f t h e a n ti- t r e aty f o rc e s.

D ad , w ho w as in c h arg e n ow , o f t h e a rm y, a n d w ho o b vio u sly h ad g re at in flu en ce in t h e c o n d uct o f t h e C iv il W ar, h e w en t t o t h e

c a b in et, a n d h e w as s u p porte d b y h is a rm y c o u ncil.

A nd h e s a id , w e m ust t a ke d ra stic a ctio n t o p re ve n t a n y f u rth er s h ootin g o f t h e p eop le w ho a re r e p re se n tin g t h e p eop le o f Ir e la n d ,

a n d w ho a re s u p portin g t h e d em ocra tic p ro ce ss.

A nd it w as h e w ho in flu en ce d t h e c a b in et-- q uit e ille g ally -- t o t a ke o u t t h e f o u r p ris o n ers f r o m M ou ntjo y a n d s h oot t h em .

R ig ht u p t o t h e e n d o f h is lif e , h e a lw ays m ain ta in ed t h at it w as t h e r ig ht t h in g t o d o.

I t w as s ta te t e rro ris m .

I t w as a r e p re ssiv e r e sp on se .

I t w as o u ts id e t h e b ou nd s o f le g alit y .

A nd I g uess w hat t h ey d ecid ed w as t h e s it u atio n w as s o g re at t h at t h ey h ad t o t a ke t h is k in d o f a ctio n .

A nd a g ain , t h ere is t h is s e n se t h at t h e g ove rn m en t d oe sn 't k n ow w heth er it w ill s u rv iv e .

T h ere 's a r e al s e n se o f f e ar a n d in se cu rit y a m on g g ove rn m en t m in is te rs a b ou t t h e a b ilit y o f t h e F re e S ta te t o o ve rc o m e t h e

r e b ellio n a n d t o s u rv iv e .

T h e k e y m in is te rs w ere K evin O 'H ig gin s, T a ois e ach W .T .

C osg ra ve , G en era l R ic h ard M ulc a h y, E oin M cN eill a n d h is f e llo w n orth ern er, E rn est B ly th e, a n d M in is te r f o r E xte rn al A ffa ir s ,

D esm on d F it z g era ld .

T h e d ecis io n t h ey t o ok w as o n e t h ey t o ok o u t o f a v e ry s tr o n g m ora l c o n vic tio n t h at if t h ey d id n't d o t h is , t h e a ssa ssin atio n o f

d ep utie s b y t h e R ep ub lic a n s m ig ht le ad t o t h e c o lla p se o f p arlia m en ta ry g ove rn m en t a n d t o a n arc h y.

A nd t h at's n ot a ju stif ic a tio n o f w hat t h ey d id , b ut it w as a n e xp la n atio n .

B eca u se in liv in g in t h eir t im e, o n e h as t o u nd ers ta n d h ow t h ey a p pro a ch ed t h ese t h in g s.

B ut h e h ad n eve r a n y d ou b ts , I t h in k, t h at it w as t h e r ig ht t h in g t o d o.

Y o u m ay s a y h e s h ou ld h ave h ad , b ut t h at's ju st a n o p in io n .

B ut h e d id n ot h ave a n y d ou b ts t h at t h ey s a ve d t h e s ta te b y t h e a ctio n t h ey t o ok.

N ot e ve ry o n e w as s o c o n vin ce d . A lm ost f o r t h e f ir s t t im e in t h e C iv il W ar, n ew sp ap er e d it o ria ls a n d in te rn atio n al o b se rv e rs r e sp on d ed c rit ic a lly t o t h e r e p ris a l

e xe cu tio n s.

A m on g t h e p ub lic , t h ere w as a d eep en in g s e n se o f d esp air .

I a ctu ally s a w t h e m en w ho d id it c o m in g b ack f r o m w here ve r t h ey d id it .

A nd t h ey w ere s w in g in g t h eir r e vo lv e rs .

I s a w a c o u p le o f s o ld ie rs t h ere , s ta n d in g , d rin kin g t e a.

I s u p pose it w as t e a.

I t w as t h e m orn in g , o f c o u rs e .

A nd w e a t t h e s id e, I s a w a s o ld ie r k n eelin g in a t t h e s e n tr y b ox.

W hoe ve r h e w as, I s u p pose h e k n ew t h e m en w ho h ad b een e xe cu te d .

A nd t h ere w as a g lo om o ve r t h e p ris o n a n d o ve r t h e w hole c it y .

T h at d ay, t h ere w as a d ark c lo u d .

I w ou ld n't a p pro ve o f it .

I 'd a rre st t h em .

A nd I'd k e ep t h em t h ere u ntil s u ch t im e a s t h ere c o u ld b e s o m e o th er d ecis io n m ad e.

B ut I d on 't t h in k, I d on 't t h in k t h at t h ey c o u ld e ve r t a ke t h em o u t a n d s h oot t h em . T h e C iv il W ar w as n ow b are ly a w ar a t a ll, m ore

a s e rie s o f s p ora d ic a cts o f s a b ota g e c a rrie d o u t b y a h an d fu l o f a n ti- t r e aty a ctiv is ts a n d a im ed p rin cip ally a t b lo ck in g t h e

m ove m en t o f g ove rn m en t t r o op s.

R ailw ay lin es w ere d estr o ye d , e n g in es d era ile d , b rid ges b lo w n u p , a n d s ta tio n s a n d s ig nal c a b in s w re ck e d .

A rre sts a n d e xe cu tio n s w ere t h e g ove rn m en t's r e sp on se t o t h is d w in d lin g g uerrilla c a m paig n, w hic h n eve rth ele ss d id h ug e

d am ag e t o a f r a g ile e co n om y.

B it te rn ess a n d v ic io u sn ess w ere n ow a p erm an en t f e atu re s o f t h e C iv il W ar f ig htin g .

A nti- t r e aty u nit s s u ch a s t h is o n e r e m ain ed a s f ie rc e ly o p pose d t o t h e t r e aty a s t h ey'd e ve r b een .

I n o n e in cid en t in C ou nty W exfo rd , t h e c o m man d er o f a n a n ti- t r e aty u nit o u tr a g ed e ve n h is o w n m en w hen t h ey c a m e a cro ss a

g ove rn m en t o ffic e r a n d t r o op s in a p ub lic h ou se n ot lo n g a ft e r t h e M ou ntjo y e xe cu tio n s. T h e o ffic e r t r ie d t o d ra w a g un.

A nd h e f ir e d a f e w s h ots a t h im w it h a m ach in e g un, a n d k n ock e d h im d ow n, a n d t h en p ro ce ed ed t o d re ss u p h is w ou nd s.

T h e o th ers h ad a ll s u rre n d ere d .

A nd t h en h e b ro u g ht o u t f o u r o f t h e o th ers .

N ow t h ey w ere ju st c o m mon s o ld ie rs . H e b ro u g ht o n e o f t h em a ft e r t h e o th er o u t t o t h e b ack y a rd , a n d k ille d t h em w it h h is [ IN AU D IB LE ] g un.

I le ft W exfo rd a ft e r t h at.

I t h ou g ht t h at w as s o m eth in g t h at w as t o ta lly , t o ta lly d is g ra ce fu l.

I w as h avin g m y b re akfa st in t h e m orn in g .

T h is m an c a m e a n d s a t b esid e m e.

A nd I s a id , g ood m orn in g .

H e s a id , w ell, y e s.

H e s a id , I'v e ju st e xe cu te d a m an .

A nd t h at w as t h at.

T h is w as t h e m an w ho w as in c h arg e.

C om ple te ly a s if h e w as ju st d oin g h is d ay's w ork , h e w as s o c a su al a b ou t it .

T h is is a m an w ho s p en t a n oth er f o u r y e ars in [ IN AU D IB LE ].

H e h ad ju st c o m e f r o m t h e e xe cu tio n ?

W ell, t h en , y o u s e e, t h ey b lo w t h e b ra in s o f t h e m an o u t t h en .

T h e o ffic e r h as t o d o t h at.

W hen t h e m an is s h ot d ow n, t h e o ffic e r a p pro a ch es h im a n d b lo w s h is b ra in s o u t t o f in is h h is t r ib ula tio n s, y o u k n ow ? E xe cu tio n s

w ere a lle g ed a ls o in S lig o.

T h e a n ti- t r e aty s id e c la im ed t h at s ix m en h ad b een s h ot a ft e r t h eir a rre st b y g ove rn m en t t r o op s o n t h e s lo p es o f B en B ulb in .

O ne o f t h e m en w ho d ie d h ad t w o b ro th ers s e rv in g in t h e F re e S ta te a rm y.

H e, t h ou g h, h ad g on e a g ain st t h e t r e aty .

H is n am e, B ria n M acN eill, a y o u ng u niv e rs it y s tu d en t f r o m D ub lin .

M ost r e m ark a b le o f a ll p erh ap s, B ria n M acN eill's f a th er w as t h e M in is te r f o r E d uca tio n , E oin M acN eill.

B ria n 's s is te r s till r e ca lls t h e d ay t h e f a m ily le arn ed o f h is d eath .

T h ey w ere s u rp ris e d w hen t h ey c a m e in to t h e a ve n ue t h at m y f a th er w as s ta n d in g o n t h e d oors te p s.

T h ey w ere u p a c o u p le o f s te p s, o u ts id e a n yw ay, a n d w ait in g f o r t h em .

A nd w hen t h ey g ot t h ere , h e s a id t o m y m oth er, T a d dy, I w an t t o t a lk t o y o u .

A nd t h e p air o f t h em w en t in to t h e s tu d y.

A nd t h at w as w hen h e b ro ke t h e n ew s a b ou t B ria n . A nd t h at w as w hen h e b ro ke t h e n ew s a b ou t B ria n .

M y m oth er w as d esp era te ly s h atte re d .

A gain , a m on g st e ig ht c h ild re n , w e a lw ays r e ck o n ed s h e h ad t w o f a vo rit e s.

N ot s h e w asn 't n ic e t o t h e r e st o f u s, b ut B ria n w ho w as a b lo n d , a n d M oir a w ho w as a b lo n d , a n d t h ese w ere h er p ets .

A nd w hat I h eard w as t h at s h e w as u tte rly s h atte re d . R em ote m ou nta in r e g io n s w ere n ow t h e o n ly r e fu g e f o r t h e a n ti- t r e aty

a ctiv is ts a s t h e C iv il W ar d ra g ged m erc ile ssly o n .

M ostly , t h is w as d ue t o o n e m an .

L ia m L y n ch w as t h e le ad er o f t h e IR A e xe cu tiv e a n d r e m ain ed f a n atic a lly o p pose d t o a n y s u rre n d er o r c e ase fir e , d esp it e

o ve rw helm in g e vid en ce t h at t h e a n ti- t r e aty c a u se w as h op ele ss.

M ove s w it h in t h e IR A le ad ers h ip t o e n d t h e f ig htin g f a ile d t o im pre ss L y n ch .

E q ually , h e p aid lit tle h eed t o d e V ale ra , t r e atin g h im a s ju st a n oth er s o ld ie r.

I n M arc h 1 922, a t a m eetin g o f t h e IR A d eep in L y n ch 's s tr o n g hold t e rrit o ry o f t h e N ir e V alle y in N orth W ate rfo rd , in t h is f a rm

c o tta g e, h e p ers u ad ed h is w eary c o m man d ers t o f ig ht o n .

H is w hole ju d gm en t m ust h ave g on e b eca u se w hen h e w as t r a ip sin g a ro u nd in L o ch B ein n D ow ns, a f e w d ays b efo re h e w as k ille d ,

a n d h e o n ly h ad a h an d fu l o f p eop le s u p portin g h im , a n d t h e w ar h ad v ir tu ally f in is h ed , h e s till w as w rit in g t o p eop le t o s a y t h at

t h ey w ou ld w in in t h e e n d if t h ey h eld o u t.

I t h in k t h e w ar s h ou ld h ave b een c o n clu d ed b y L y n ch in D ece m ber o f 1 922.

I t h in k it w as a m is ta ke t o c a rry o n b eca u se it m ust h ave b een a w are t o h im a n d h is o th er c o m man d ers t h at t h ey w ere b eate n in

t h e f ie ld .

A ll m ajo r t o w ns, t h e e n tir e c o u ntr y w as o ccu p ie d .

T h ere s im ply w as n o r e aso n t o g o o n .

A nd I t h in k h e m ad e a m is ta ke b y w it h d ra w in g t o t h e h ills id es a n d t h e v a lle ys, t h at h e c o u ld c o n tin ue t h e s o rt o f w ate r t h at t h ey

c o n d ucte d a g ain st t h e B rit is h .

A nd t h at s im ply w asn 't d on e.

L y n ch 's d eath , lik e t h at o f C ollin s, w as a c rit ic a l m om en t in t h e C iv il W ar.

H e h ad b een t h e e m bod im en t o f t h e a n ti- t r e aty p osit io n t h ro u g hou t t h e c o n flic t-- id ealis tic , im pra ctic a l, a lm ost s p ir it u al in h is

d evo tio n t o t h e R ep ub lic a n c a u se .

I n L ia m L y n ch 's w orld , d eath h ad t o c o m e b efo re d is h on or.

F o r t h e c o u ntr y a s a w hole , L y n ch p ro b ab ly h ad t o d ie b efo re t h is p oin tle ss w ar c o u ld b e b ro u g ht t o a n e n d . L y n ch p ers o n if ie d a ll

t h at w as h on est a n d d ece n t.

A nd t h at it w as n o w on d er t h at h e t o ok t h e p ath t h at h e d id b eca u se h e c o u ld n't liv e w it h c o m pro m is e . H e c o u ld n't liv e w it h t h e n ew F re e S ta te .

D e V ale ra , w hen h e h eard o f h is d eath , h e w ro te t h at L ia m L y n ch t h re w h im se lf a cro ss t h e s ta m ped e o f a n atio n .

E ve n L y n ch , w hose m em oria l s ta n d s t o d ay in t h e K nock m eald ow n M ou nta in s, m ig ht h ave r e aliz e d t h at n o o th er o u tc o m e w as

p ossib le .

P e ace t e rm s o ffe re d b y t h e IR A w ere r e je cte d b y t h e g ove rn m en t.

O ne m in is te r r e m ark e d t h at t h ere 's n ot g oin g t o b e a d ra w w it h a r e p la y in t h e a u tu m n.

T h e f u tile m ou nta in g uerrilla c a m paig n e n d ed w it h a c e ase fir e in M ay 1 923.

N o a rm s w ere h an d ed in .

T h ey w ere m ere ly d um ped .

D ave c o u ld n't t a ke it , s e ein g o th er Ir is h m en k illin g o th er Ir is h m en .

A nd h e c a u g ht a h ard o n e.

A nd I c a n a lw ays r e m em ber m y b ro th er c o m in g in t h at n ig ht, in f r o m w here t h ey w ere , o u t in t h e [ IN AU D IB LE ]

s o m ew here .

A nd h e s a t d ow n in t h e c h air a n d c rie d h is h eart o u t.

W hat d id t h ey d o?

W hat d id w e f ig ht f o r?

A nd a ft e r a b it , h e t o ok o u t h is r e vo lv e r, a n d w it h m y y o u ng er b ro th er, t h ey w en t o u t in to t h e g ard en a n d b urie d t h e r e vo lv e r.

D ave t o ld h im , b ury h im f o r a n oth er t im e.

I n s o m e f u tu re t im e, it w ou ld c o u ld s ta rt a g ain .

A nd w e w ou ld w in , t o o. M uch m ore t h an g uns w ere b urie d a ft e r Ir e la n d 's C iv il W ar.

I n D ub lin 's G la sn evin C em ete ry lie t h e r e m ain s o f h und re d s o f F re e S ta te s o ld ie rs , la rg ely f o rg otte n v ic tim s o f t h e m ad ness f r o m

w it h in .

N o o n e k n ow s h ow m an y p eop le d ie d in t h e n in e m on th s o f f ig htin g , c e rta in ly t h ou sa n d s. A nd it w as r a re ly a c o n flic t b le sse d b y

c h iv a lr y a n d h on or.

T h is w as a p ois o n ou s a n d v e ry t y p ic a l C iv il W ar, p ock m ark e d b y b ru ta lit y a n d a tr o cit ie s, p artic u la rly in K erry in t h e f in al t h ro e s o f

t h e f ig htin g .

A t K nock n ag osh el in M arc h 1 923, s ix F re e S ta te s o ld ie rs d ie d in a b oob y t r a p e xp lo sio n .

T h e n ext d ay a t n earb y B ally se ed e, e ig ht a n ti- t r e aty p ris o n ers w ere s tr a p ped t o a la n d m in e b y t h eir F re e S ta te c a p to rs a n d b lo w n

t o p ie ce s. T h e m ilit a ry o p tio n s s o h eavily e xe rc is e d a t t h e b ir th o f t h e Ir is h F re e S ta te le ft lit tle t o r e co m men d t h em . B ut g iv in g in t o t h e v io le n ce o f t h e IR A in 1 922 c o u ld h ave p ro d uce d a n e ve n g re ate r c a ta str o p he. P o lit ic s t r a g ic a lly f a ile d t o d eliv e r

a ls o , m ost n ota b ly in t h e f ig ure o f t h e a n ti- t r e aty s id e's c h ie f p olit ic a l a p olo g is t. A nd h ow w ell d oe s t h e r e co rd n ow s ta n d o f t h ose

w ho s u cce ed ed A rth ur G rif fit h a n d M ic h ae l C ollin s?

W as a n yth in g g en uin ely a ch ie ve d b y s o m uch b lo od sh ed ?

I t h in k t h ere w ere r e al p ro b le m s w it h t h e F re e S ta te .

I t h in k t h ey e xclu d ed g ro u p s.

I t h in k it w as a v e ry -- s o m etim es, t h ey h ad a v e ry n arro w o u tlo ok.

T h eir a ttit u d es t o w ard s w om en le ave a lo t t o b e d esir e d .

B ut in t e rm s o f e sta b lis h in g t h e s ta te o n a f ir m , d em ocra tic f o otin g , I t h in k w e h ave t o g iv e t h em f u ll m ark s.

T h e f a ct t h at y o u h ave d is tu rb an ce a n d e ve ry o n e k n ow s t h ere is u nre so lv e d c o n stit u tio n al p osit io n 7 5 y e ars o n , t h at is e vid en ce

t h at t h e t r e aty s e ttle m en t w as in ad eq uate in t h e f ir s t p la ce a n d d id n't s ta n d t h e t e st o f t im e.

S o in f a ct, I w ou ld c o n te n d t h at t h ey b oth g ot it w ro n g .

T h e t r e aty s e ttle m en t w as a p oor s e ttle m en t.

T h e s ta g e h ad b een f o u nd ed .

A nd t h ere fo re , it w as w ro n g t o r is e a g ain st t h e s ta te , a g ain st y o u r f e llo w Ir is h m an .

I t d id n't a lt e r t h e b ord er b y a m illim ete r.

I t w as o n e o f t h e m ost u se le ss w ars e ve r f o u g ht s in ce S w if t w ro te a b ou t t h e B ig E n d ers a n d t h e L it tle E n d ers h avin g t h e r o w o ve r

w hic h e n d o f t h e e g g s h ou ld b e t o p ped .

I t h in k it h as b een p ro ve d r ig ht s in ce .

T h ere 's a b ou t 3 ,0 00 o r 4 ,0 00 k ille d s in ce u p in t h e n orth o f Ir e la n d b etw een p olic e m en , a n d c iv ilia n s, a n d e ve ry th in g e ls e .

W here as if it w as a ll s e ttle d a t t h at t im e, y o u w ou ld n't h ave t h at n ow , w ou ld y o u ?

Y o u 'd h ave a g re at c o u ntr y .

H ow eve r a g re ate r c o u ntr y Ir e la n d m ay n ow b e, s e ve ra l b asic p olit ic a l a n d c o n stit u tio n al q uestio n s r e m ain u nse ttle d 7 5 y e ars a ft e r

t h e C iv il W ar.

[ IN AU D IB LE ]

T h e m od ern IR A c la im s a d ir e ct lin e o f d esc e n t f r o m t h e m en a n d w om en w ho o p pose d t h e t r e aty in 1 922, s till a m in orit y c la im in g

t o r e p re se n t t h e Ir is h p eop le , b y f o rc e o f a rm s if n ece ssa ry .

W e m ay h ave le arn ed a lm ost n oth in g .

O ne le sso n t h at w e c o u ld le arn w ou ld b e t h e n eed f o r d em ocra tic g ove rn m en ts r e sp on sib le t o t h e p eop le t o t a ke f ir m m easu re s

a g ain st t h ose w ho d en y m ajo rit y r u le a n d b elie ve t h at t h ey-- h ow eve r s m all a m in orit y m ig ht b e-- m ig ht r e p re se n t t h e Ir is h p eop le . D em ocra cy is im perfe ct, a s w e a ll k n ow .

I t w as in 1 922.

I t is n ow a t t h e e n d o f t h e '9 0s.

B ut it 's b ette r t h an m ilit a ris tic a lt e rn ativ e s.

I t h in k t h e r e al le g acy o f t h e C iv il W ar is a m od el o f Ir is h h is to ry , a m od el o f Ir is h h is to ry w hic h in vo lv e s a le g en d o f a s ta b in t h e

b ack , t o u se a G erm an p hra se -- t h at h e w ho c o m pro m is e s it is a t r a it o r, a n d t h at a ll n eg otia tio n in vo lv e s a s e llo u t.

A nd w e m ust n ot r e p eat t h e g re at m is ta ke o f 1 921.

N orth ern IR A P ro vo h is to ry b eg in s w it h t h e g re at s e llo u t, a s t h ey s e e it , o f 1 921.

A nd t h at s e llo u t m ust n ot b e r e p eate d .

A nd h e w ho n eg otia te s is im med ia te ly u nd er s u sp ic io n , a u to m atic a lly .

A nd t h is h as d og ged t h e p ro vis io n al IR A f o r t h e la st 2 5 y e ars .

A nyo n e w ho h as b een s e t u p t o n eg otia te h as h ad t o r e tr e at b ack in to t h e f o ld , s h ou tin g o rth od oxie s o f v a rio u s k in d s t o p ro ve t h at

h e is a s h ard a g ain st t h e B rit is h a n d in f a vo r o f t h e f r e ed om s tr u g gle a s e ve ry b od y e ls e .

A nd it 's o n ly in t h e la st f iv e y e ars o r s o t h at t h at m en ta lit y h as b eg un t o b re ak d ow n in t h e f a ce o f v e ry h ard , c ru el s e t o f f a cts , t h at

t h eir w ar is u nw in nab le .

[ A PPLA U SE]

W e a re t h e p arty t h at p uts p eop le b efo re p olit ic s, t h e p arty o f a ll t h e p eop le .

W e a re F ia n na F a il.

[ A PPLA U SE]

T h e o u ts ta n d in g le g acy o f t h e C iv il W ar f o r Ir e la n d 's p olit ic a l s y ste m is t h e t w o-p arty f r a m ew ork w hic h e m erg ed f r o m t h e c o n flic t.

T w o la rg e b lo ck s, t w o s u b sta n tia l p olit ic a l m ach in es, t o d ay s e p ara te d m ore b y h is to ry t h an b y p olic y , s till o w in g t h eir e xis te n ce t o

t h e s p lit in S in n F e in o f 7 5 y e ars a g o.

I a sk t h e R ep ub lic a n m ove m en t, d on 't p ro cra stin ate a n y lo n g er.

M ake u p y o u r m in d s.

P o lit ic s is t h e w ay y o u s o lv e p ro b le m s.

Y o u 'l l n eve r s o lv e d iv is io n t h ro u g h v io le n ce .

D esm on d F it z g era ld s e rv e d in Ir e la n d 's f ir s t g ove rn m en t.

H is s o n r e fle cts o n t h e p olit ic a l le g acy o f t h e C iv il W ar. Y o u c a n 't b e g ra te fu l f o r s o m eth in g w hic h w as s o t e rrib le in it s im pact o n t h at s o cie ty a n d t h at g en era tio n .

A nd w hic h h as h ad a b id in g c o n se q uen ce s in t e rm s o f t h e c o n tin uin g v io le n ce in t h e is la n d , p ro b ab ly .

T h e f a ct t h ere w as a C iv il W ar h as c e rta in ly c o n tr ib ute d t o t h e c o n tin ued e xis te n ce o f a n IR A in s o m e f o rm .

S o y o u c a n 't b e g ra te fu l f o r t h at.

B ut o th er h an d , o n ce it h ap pen ed , a n d t w o la rg e b lo ck s e m erg ed , t h ose b lo ck s h ave p ro te cte d u s f r o m t h e r a va g es o f id eolo g y

w hic h d id s u ch d am ag e in E u ro p e in t h e '3 0s.

A nd w hic h w ere s till in B rit a in in t h e '8 0s b eca u se o f t h e id eolo g ic a l p osit io n o f M arg are t T h atc h er a n d t h e c o n se rv a tiv e s, t o o,

c a p ab le o f d oin g d am ag e.

W e h ave n 't h ad t h ose d is a d va n ta g es h ere .

S o t h ere a re s o m e p osit iv e c o n se q uen ce s a s w ell a s t h e a p pallin g , n eg ativ e c o n se q uen ce s o f t h e t im e.

O n t h e N orth , F ia n na F a il a re b ette r o n t h e N orth , a re b ette r o n t h e w hole c o n ce p t o f Ir e la n d , a n d t h e u nit y t h at w e w ou ld a sp ir e t o

h ave in a d em ocra tic a n d c o n stit u tio n al w ay.

A s d is tin ct f r o m F in e G ae l, w ho a p pear t o u s t o b e s o rt o f, o f a t w o n atio n p arty .

A nd t h at, I t h in k, w ill b e t h e b asic d if fe re n ce b etw een t h e t w o p artie s.

A nd t h at a s t h ey s a y, w ou ld b e, a s y o u w ou ld d esc rib e it , t h e le g acy o f t h e C iv il W ar, a n d t h e w ar o f in d ep en d en ce le ss s o .

I w ou ld lik e t o s e e a r e co n cilia tio n o f t h e p ost-C iv il W ar p olit ic a l p artie s c o m in g t o g eth er.

A nd I t h in k, if t h at h ap pen s, I t h in k t h at t h e u nit y o f o u r c o u ntr y is n eare r in h is to ric a l t e rm s t h an f u rth er.

M y t r a d it io n w ou ld n ot b e t o g o in w it h F ia n na F a il.

I d on 't b eg ru d ge t h em a n yth in g , t h at t h ey k e ep g oin g f o r f iv e y e ars , a n d m ake a s u cce ss o f t h e c o u ntr y .

S till b est f o r e ve ry b od y.

I d on 't q uit e t r u st t h em .

I n eve r w ill p ro b ab ly .

T h at's m y t r a d it io n .

T h at's t h e w ay I w as b ro u g ht u p .

B ut if t h ey m ake t h e la w , I'l l k e ep t h e la w , w heth er I lik e it o r n ot.

B rig id H og an -O 'H ig gin s's s u sp ic io n o f w hat s h e w ou ld s e e a s h er t r a d it io n al p olit ic a l e n em y is p erh ap s n ot s o s u rp ris in g .

H er f a th er, P a tr ic k H og an , w as a m em ber o f t h e c a b in et w hic h p ro se cu te d t h e C iv il W ar o n b eh alf o f t h e F re e S ta te .

S he w it n esse d it f ir s th an d , t h e r e sid ue o f b it te rn ess w hic h t h e f ig htin g le ft b eh in d . W hen I w as f ir s t e le cte d in '5 7, I w as q uit e s h ock e d a t t h e le ve l o f b it te rn ess in t h e D ail.

B ut in h in d sig ht, I c a n n ow u nd ers ta n d it .

Y o u s till h ad d e V ale ra o n t h e D ail, a n d L e m ass, D an B re en , O sc a r T ra yn or, a ll o f t h ese o n t h e F ia n na F a il s id e.

O n o u r s id e, w e h ad Jo h n C oste llo , S ean M ac E oin , a n d D ic k M ulc a h y, a n d a n um ber o f C iv il W ar p eop le , y o u s e e.

A nd t h e b it te rn ess w as q uit e in cre d ib le , t o m e t h at w asn 't u se d t o b it te rn ess. A le g acy o f h atr e d a n d s u sp ic io n , c o u ntle ss d eath s,

a n e n orm ou s f in an cia l c o st f o r t h e n ew born F re e S ta te , a m od el o f Ir is h h is to ry s a n ctio n in g t h e t a kin g o f a rm s a g ain st m ajo rit y

r u le -- it 's d if fic u lt n ow d ra w a n y c re d it a s a n atio n f r o m t h e h is to ry o f Ir e la n d 's C iv il W ar.

B ut it m ay b e e ve n m ore f o olis h t o t r y t o ig nore it . T ry in g t o , I t h in k, a sc rib e m otiv e s e it h er t o d e V ale ra o r t o t h e [ IN AU D IB LE ]

i s r e ally s o m eth in g o f a n o b sc e n it y .

D e V ale ra w as w ro n g in w hat h e d id .

T h ey w ere w ro n g in s o m e o f w hat t h ey d id .

B ut if a n y o f u s w ere f a ce d w it h t h e s a m e s it u atio n t o d ay, w hat w ou ld w e d o?

I h ave n o r e g re ts f o r a n yth in g I'v e e ve r d on e, n on e w hats o e ve r. If it h ad t o b e d on e a g ain , I'd d o it .

A ll t h e o ld er p eop le r e g re t a n yth in g t h at e ve r h ap pen ed d urin g t h at C iv il W ar.

A nd I h op e t h at t h e y o u ng er g en era tio n -- I n eve r w an t t o s e e o n e o f t h em jo in in in t h at.

G et t h em s a fe , f o r g od 's s a ke .

P ra y f o r G od t o h elp t h em m ake a d ecis io n o ve r t h e t a b le r a th er t h an w ar. W hen L ia m L y n ch f e ll h ere , h ig h u p in t h e

K nock m eald ow n M ou nta in s in A pril 1 923, t h e C iv il W ar w as a s g ood a s o ve r.

I t s le g acy , h ow eve r, t o ok d eca d es t o o ve rc o m e.

P e rh ap s M ary R ob in so n w as r ig ht in 1 990 w hen s h e a p pla u d ed Ir e la n d f o r f in ally s te p pin g o u t f r o m b eh in d t h e f a d ed f la g s o f t h e

C iv il W ar.

B ut if w e a s a n atio n h ave in d eed p ut t h e e ve n ts o f 7 5 y e ars a g o b eh in d u s, t h en p erh ap s t h is b la ck a n d b it te r p erio d o f Ir e la n d 's

r e ce n t p ast s till o ffe rs le sso n s t h at a re b est r e m em bere d a n d n ot f o rg otte n .