Irish Unity - One: Island, Nation, Dream

2005-02-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

Is the notion of a single, self-governing Irish Nation a dream? At first I didn't think so. I thought that Ireland could gain its complete independence from the English. But, after a recent trip to Northern Ireland, I doubt Ireland will ever be a Nation.

As an American of Irish descent, I find this situation in Ireland very confusing. You see I love the English. Some of my best friends are English and the English have been great friends to the US. On the other hand there are 40 million people in the US of Irish descent. It's like your best friend (England) and your cousin (Ireland) don't get along. You get along with each of them and so cannot understand why they're not friends, too.

I've heard the stories about how the Northern Irish have better roads, healthcare and schools because of their connection to England. But, when talking to people in the North, they seem to prefer freedeom over these items. Is that irrational? I think not. What sane person would choose to be governed by another country instead of by their own people? Isn't that what democracy is all about - "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death," Thomas Paine.