DR MATT TREACY asks
Dying for the glory of the motherland is deeply engrained in the Russian cultural DNA.
You don’t need to be a political genius to work out that “Rhasidat Adeleke isn’t Irish” is not exactly a political slogan likely to attract the masses.
If nationalists ever want to see a functioning cohesive unitary state at peace with itself, then unionists will have to feel that their Britishness can be at home in Ireland. After all, that’s what the tricolour purports to represent.
If anything, nationalists may have missed an opportunity by not simply shrugging their shoulders and saying “if that’s what it costs, then that’s what we will pay”. There’s more than a hint of “arguing with your fiancé over the cost of an engagement ring” about the focus on money
Hardline nationalists who’ve spent a lifetime wanting the Brits out now find that they must simultaneously argue that the Crown is an honourable and generous institution that will aid their cause.
There’s an inherent belief in official Ireland that certain ideologies are not truly “Irish”. It’s wrong.
He might have been the very last Redmondite – or at least the last to willingly embrace the label – but if the tradition dies with him, then he has ensured that it can be buried, like himself, with honour.
It is certainly arguable that DUP concerns reflect more a paranoia about the Union than they reflect any real or immediate threat to the Union.
Annoyance or irritation with Rugby culture should not stop us from marvelling at the successes of the team
It would be fascinating to see figures overlaying strong identification with the Irish Rugby Team with broad satisfaction about the state of the nation.
It is in the interest of Irish society and Irish people that living in Ireland be seen as a privilege, and not a right.