Jim O’Callaghan: No. Distorted evaluations of the tricolor must not obscure its true meaning.
Irish republicanism was founded on the desire of the Irish people to be united so that they could govern themselves. This was the objective that motivated Samuel Neilson and William Drennan of Belfast to seek a republic in which all citizens would be treated equally.
These Belfast radicals were supplemented in their cause by like-minded people in Dublin, led by Wolfe Tone, and operated as the United Irishmen’s Association. This was not a society that sought the abolition of criminal laws simply for reasons of Catholic self-interest. It was a diverse movement in which people of different religious and geographical backgrounds sought to emulate what had been achieved through the establishment of the republic. France.
[ Samuel Neilson, the forgotten hero of 1798 ]
French influence was again evident in 1848, when Thomas Francis Meagher and other young Irishmen traveled to France seeking support from the Second French Republic for Irish independence. Unfortunately, the revolutionary promise of the French Republic was of little use. The French praised the Irish and told the Irish that France could not help as Ireland was a British problem. The Maegers returned home heartbroken, but were given an amazing gift. The French Women’s Committee presented them with the green, white and orange tricolor.
Mr Meagher flew the tricolor for the first time from The Mall in Waterford. It is important for everyone living on this island to remember his explanation of its symbolism. “I believe that the white in the center signifies a permanent truce between orange and green, under whose folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics are generously clasped. ” and heroic brotherhood. ”
Between Meagher’s hoisting of the flag in 1848 and today, Irish republicanism and the cause of the tricolor have been misrepresented and actually denigrated as a parochial, sectarian, and exclusively Catholic enterprise. There were many times when I got caught. Unfortunately, the reputation many people in Northern Ireland have of the flag is partly due to the violence perpetrated in its name in the late 20th century. Nevertheless, that assessment is wrong, just as the evaluation of the flag was wrong by those who exploited it for violence between greens and oranges. This distorted assessment of the tricolor must not obscure its true meaning. Nor should it obscure our ability to once again convey a symbolic message of unity, as we did in 1848.
Discussions about a united Ireland always quickly turn to questions about the flag and the national anthem. Although these are symbolically important, they do not affect people’s lives and should not be an obstacle to unity. The benefits of a united Ireland may not be seen on the flag, but a new political organization that will enable the people of this island to prosper economically, culturally and socially, and to recognize and cherish the differences and cultural wealth of all its peoples. It will be reflected in your ability.
Although Irish independence was a remarkable success, the partition of the Irish people had very negative consequences for all of us. Partition was the darkest hour for those inspired by the symbolism of the tricolor. But its symbolism can still inspire people in both jurisdictions of this island, divided by imperial intentions, to come together to strengthen and promote diversity and opportunity.
The partition of Ireland was, in part, a result of imperialism’s belief that if Britain left, native peoples of different religions could not be ruled. This imperial legacy is no longer valid. While not a prerequisite when planning Ireland’s future, the tricolor is an inspiration to bring together people divided by religious and cultural differences, thanks to the opportunities afforded by the differences so well represented by the tricolor. You can continue to provide rations.
Jim O’Callaghan is Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Bay South
Peter Feeney: Yes.We must not let the flag issue become a breaking point.
The changing demographics of Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, as well as the easing of relations between the UK’s constituent parts, have raised the possibility of some form of Irish union. What is clear is that whatever form Irish unification takes, it cannot simply absorb Northern Ireland into the Republic. A new Ireland will need to incorporate structures that respond to the union’s shared history with the rest of the UK. Achieving this is not easy. The people of the Republic need to start asking themselves what changes they are willing to accept in order to achieve a new Ireland that embraces trade unionist ideas.
The results of a recently released poll on the Irish flag are not positive, showing that a majority of the Republic’s citizens would like to retain the tricolor in a future united Ireland. This is understandable. People in many countries have a fierce loyalty to their national flag. It is a symbol that unites the people of the country. The dilemma in the case of a united Ireland is that the unionist tricolor represents the nationalists. If it becomes the flag of a united Ireland, it will represent a nationalist victory. Whatever agreement is reached should not be interpreted as a victory for one side over the other. This means that citizens of the Republic must begin to debate whether to consider changes to, among other things, the national anthem, the flag and the compulsory study of Irish in schools. Other issues that need to be resolved include Northern Ireland’s relationship with the British Commonwealth.
Many of the obstacles to Irish unity posed by trade unionists in the past have largely been resolved. The Republic’s economy is now a strong and open economy with a global workforce. Social welfare payments are higher in the Republic. Although both health systems have their problems, health care provision in the Republic is generally better than in Northern Ireland. The Republic is a more secular society than Northern Ireland, so the role of the Catholic Church is unlikely to be an issue.
But are the majority of the people of the Republic ready to make the changes necessary to bring about a new Ireland that recognizes its unionist identity? Flashpoints in Northern Ireland in recent decades have often revolved around symbolic issues such as parades, flag-raising and the place of the Irish language in society.
Those who advocate preserving the tricolor in a united Ireland will point out that the colors of the flag are already a symbol of a united Ireland. Green is nationalist, orange is unionist. However, this ignores the history of the flag since Ireland’s independence. For trade unionists, the retention of the tricolor in a united Ireland would be a symbol of defeat and rejection. All-Ireland sporting bodies’ recent experience with the flag and anthem suggests that opposition to compromise is more often expressed by nationalists than unionists.
But is it worth losing the possibility of a united Ireland for the flag? Can we come up with a design that accommodates a new Ireland where trade unionists are a minority? Or can we devise a two-flag solution? If we can’t agree on a symbolic issue like the flag, how can we deal with the more difficult political issues? It is likely that some mechanism will be devised to recognize Ireland’s uniqueness. Does this offer a possible solution to the flag problem? Is there room in the new federal structure for the Ulster flag to be flown above the newly established Northern Ireland provincial government?
[ Can the Red Hand of Ulster be transformed into a unifying image for the island of Ireland? ]
There are many difficult decisions ahead, many of which may seem out of hand. Uniting the island will only be possible if a significant proportion of Northern Ireland’s current unionist tendencies support the proposed new structures and arrangements. We must not let the flag issue become a breaking point. The people of the Republic need to take a deep breath and start thinking outside their comfort zones.
Peter Feeney is a former Press Ombudsman and former Head of Broadcasting Compliance at RTÉ.