In The News...
Well.......... Where to begin? I wanted this online journal to record the good and the bad about life in Ireland.... So... I need to tell you about something horrible that happened this past weekend. Before I start, I need to say that Dee and I were nowhere near any of this and were not directly affected by it. The event does, however, reflect the tension and underlying problems that are ongoing in Northern Ireland.
Saturday was to be the day of a large parade in Dublin... But here is the problem... The parade was being held by Protestant Unionists from Northern Ireland in the nation's capital city which is Roman Catholic. The parade was being called a 'Love Ulster' march, but echoed the victorious marches that Protestant Unioninsts hold in Catholic neighborhoods each summer in Northern Ireland.
800 Protestant marchers, accompanied by traditional bands of fife and drum, planned on marching down the center of Dublin's O'Connell Street, across the Liffy River, and on to Leinster House (Ireland's Parliamentary Building), but they were met by approximately 300 Catholic (and some say pro-IRA) protesters. Needless to say that a riot broke out. The Garda Riot Squad had to be called out to break up the skirmishes that were taking place down O'Connell street (Dublin's most famous street), O'Connell Bridge (over the Liffy River), Aston Quay, Fleet Street, and Temple Bar.
Eventually the troubles quieted down, and the Protestants went back up North, but it really shows the great divide between Protestants and Catholics on this island called Ireland. Nothern Ireland is truly divided between Protestants who want to remain part of the United Kingdom and Catholics who want to join the Republic of Ireland. It truly amazes me how much hatred and division is alive there, and how quickly old emotions, hurts, and bigotries can come to the surface even in the peaceful south.
Dee and I are truly glad to say that we feel very far removed from all of the violence up there. The social divide between Catholics and Protestants in the Republic is still, however, even a reality for us here.
Saturday was to be the day of a large parade in Dublin... But here is the problem... The parade was being held by Protestant Unionists from Northern Ireland in the nation's capital city which is Roman Catholic. The parade was being called a 'Love Ulster' march, but echoed the victorious marches that Protestant Unioninsts hold in Catholic neighborhoods each summer in Northern Ireland.
800 Protestant marchers, accompanied by traditional bands of fife and drum, planned on marching down the center of Dublin's O'Connell Street, across the Liffy River, and on to Leinster House (Ireland's Parliamentary Building), but they were met by approximately 300 Catholic (and some say pro-IRA) protesters. Needless to say that a riot broke out. The Garda Riot Squad had to be called out to break up the skirmishes that were taking place down O'Connell street (Dublin's most famous street), O'Connell Bridge (over the Liffy River), Aston Quay, Fleet Street, and Temple Bar.
Eventually the troubles quieted down, and the Protestants went back up North, but it really shows the great divide between Protestants and Catholics on this island called Ireland. Nothern Ireland is truly divided between Protestants who want to remain part of the United Kingdom and Catholics who want to join the Republic of Ireland. It truly amazes me how much hatred and division is alive there, and how quickly old emotions, hurts, and bigotries can come to the surface even in the peaceful south.
Dee and I are truly glad to say that we feel very far removed from all of the violence up there. The social divide between Catholics and Protestants in the Republic is still, however, even a reality for us here.
