Probably no way that any Yank can understand the unshakable commitment & emotional attachment that the Irish citizens in Northern Ireland have for England and vice versa. It always seemed to be defined as Protestant vs. Catholic in the past, although since both the UK and Ireland are secular societies here in the 21st century that no longer applies.
Almost every nation has at one time or another stolen land from other peoples, so outsiders pointing out that [rather obviously] Ireland should belong to the Irish and not the British is hypocrisy — no matter the plain truth of it.
Whether the UK actually does leave the EU or not the Brexit debacle starkly highlights “the Irish question”.
All Irish people are absolutely determined that there be no border separating them. In reality Northern Ireland is the last conquered & occupied country remaining in the British Empire. The fantasy that Northern Ireland & England share is that Northern Ireland is a seperate country and as such can be a voluntary member of the UK.
Maybe one day they will find the courage to let all of the Irish people -South & North - vote to decide if Ireland belongs to the Irish or to another country.
Probably no way that any Yank can understand the unshakable commitment & emotional attachment that the Irish citizens in Northern Ireland have for England and vice versa. It always seemed to be defined as Protestant vs. Catholic in the past, although since both the UK and Ireland are secular societies here in the 21st century that no longer applies.
Almost every nation has at one time or another stolen land from other peoples, so outsiders pointing out that [rather obviously] Ireland should belong to the Irish and not the British is hypocrisy — no matter the plain truth of it.
Whether the UK actually does leave the EU or not the Brexit debacle starkly highlights “the Irish question”.
All Irish people are absolutely determined that there be no border separating them. In reality Northern Ireland is the last conquered & occupied country remaining in the British Empire. The fantasy that Northern Ireland & England share is that Northern Ireland is a seperate country and as such can be a voluntary member of the UK.
Maybe one day they will find the courage to let all of the Irish people -South & North - vote to decide if Ireland belongs to the Irish or to another country.