A good article. How little we knew in England. History is littered with 'hidden hands', many forever unknown such as the school master who taught AH and Wittgenstein. The former killed millions, and the latter, vital ideas essential to underpin society and prevent the rise of ideology, the greatest enemy of all.
What a fascinating insight into that period of history. I visited Derry for the first time in May this year so having walked the streets and got to know the city your uncle’s memories have really made that history come to life for me, thank you. My condolences to you and your family. 😔
I can see a physical likeness Andrew. I also think that something of the maverick runs through your family’s DNA. I studied the Irish Troubles at school and it was probably the politics of Northern Ireland that first kindled my interest in world politics.
Condolences for your family’s loss. Your uncle lived to a good age. He could so easily have been one of the 3000plus who died ‘for the cause’ - -
Fascinating read Andrew, clearly a rebellious nature running through your family. Deepest condolences.
I remember the troubles well, one very nervous moment I experienced, I flew to Belfast in the early Eighties, hired in car to drive up to Loch Swilly in the republic. I was in the line waiting to pass through the border at Letterkenny, which was manned by the Army. Whilst sitting waiting, the passenger car door opened, a guy got in, said to me don't ask any question, drive me though the border, when I say stop I'll get out.
I obligingly did that, he said nothing apart from stop here, got out and disappeared.
It sounds horrific and I remember the Troubles well from the perspective of a South London Catholic attending a Catholic school full of the Southern Irish diaspora so naturally we were all pro IRA.
I am not pro IRA now.
They were brutal terrorists who murdered innocent civilians.
But the Catholics of the North had justifiable cause indeed.
The Six Counties were created as a cynical political move and at the expense of the indigenous population but I remember once reading that the Protestants in the North did not want re-unification for many reasons but one struck me as very plausible - they did not want to live under the yoke of the Catholic Church which dominated the Republic at that time and kept Ireland in an almost medieval state - and we all now know the horrors that very corrupt and depraved institution visited upon the vulnerable that were supposed to be in their 'care'.
There was no birth control at all and no women's rights and widespread poverty and squalor.
No wonder great writers such as Edna O'Brien chose to come to Britain as a great many Southern Irish did.
And everyone who has read Joyce's Portrait of the Artist remembers his vivid descriptions of the brutality of the church.
I left the Sunday our parish priest informed us that the Pope had condemned birth control and especially the pill - I have never gone back - later on, a good friend and first rate human being left when she realised she was gay and therefore - according to the church - someone depraved and unnatural!
Eventually my entire family left.
Now the Republic is secular and much the better for it.
I rejoiced when gay marriage was finally approved and it seems the economy is booming - or has been recently - the Gaelic Tiger.
And I am straight.
Hopefully one day the Irish people will come to their senses and there will be a united Ireland - a secular state with freedom of worship and full human rights for everyone.
What an amazing man. Condolences to your family, Andrew.
A good article. How little we knew in England. History is littered with 'hidden hands', many forever unknown such as the school master who taught AH and Wittgenstein. The former killed millions, and the latter, vital ideas essential to underpin society and prevent the rise of ideology, the greatest enemy of all.
What a fascinating insight into that period of history. I visited Derry for the first time in May this year so having walked the streets and got to know the city your uncle’s memories have really made that history come to life for me, thank you. My condolences to you and your family. 😔
I can see a physical likeness Andrew. I also think that something of the maverick runs through your family’s DNA. I studied the Irish Troubles at school and it was probably the politics of Northern Ireland that first kindled my interest in world politics.
Condolences for your family’s loss. Your uncle lived to a good age. He could so easily have been one of the 3000plus who died ‘for the cause’ - -
Fascinating read Andrew, clearly a rebellious nature running through your family. Deepest condolences.
I remember the troubles well, one very nervous moment I experienced, I flew to Belfast in the early Eighties, hired in car to drive up to Loch Swilly in the republic. I was in the line waiting to pass through the border at Letterkenny, which was manned by the Army. Whilst sitting waiting, the passenger car door opened, a guy got in, said to me don't ask any question, drive me though the border, when I say stop I'll get out.
I obligingly did that, he said nothing apart from stop here, got out and disappeared.
It sounds horrific and I remember the Troubles well from the perspective of a South London Catholic attending a Catholic school full of the Southern Irish diaspora so naturally we were all pro IRA.
I am not pro IRA now.
They were brutal terrorists who murdered innocent civilians.
But the Catholics of the North had justifiable cause indeed.
The Six Counties were created as a cynical political move and at the expense of the indigenous population but I remember once reading that the Protestants in the North did not want re-unification for many reasons but one struck me as very plausible - they did not want to live under the yoke of the Catholic Church which dominated the Republic at that time and kept Ireland in an almost medieval state - and we all now know the horrors that very corrupt and depraved institution visited upon the vulnerable that were supposed to be in their 'care'.
There was no birth control at all and no women's rights and widespread poverty and squalor.
No wonder great writers such as Edna O'Brien chose to come to Britain as a great many Southern Irish did.
And everyone who has read Joyce's Portrait of the Artist remembers his vivid descriptions of the brutality of the church.
I left the Sunday our parish priest informed us that the Pope had condemned birth control and especially the pill - I have never gone back - later on, a good friend and first rate human being left when she realised she was gay and therefore - according to the church - someone depraved and unnatural!
Eventually my entire family left.
Now the Republic is secular and much the better for it.
I rejoiced when gay marriage was finally approved and it seems the economy is booming - or has been recently - the Gaelic Tiger.
And I am straight.
Hopefully one day the Irish people will come to their senses and there will be a united Ireland - a secular state with freedom of worship and full human rights for everyone.
I’m sorry for your loss, it sounds like he was a impressive person