Yesterday marked the anniversary of Eamon de Valera, former president of Ireland, who died in 1975.

He was one of the most controversial politicians in Ireland. Some say, only his heritage (his dad was of Cuban/Spanish, he was born in New York and had American citizenship), saved him from being executed 100 years ago by the British.

He was also the one and only world leader, who signed the book of condolence for Adolf Hitler.

I remember the day they announced his death. My dear old dad (born in Wicklow, 1924) made a sound like someone stepping in dogs***t with bare feet and said "That old whore".

Anyone singed bin Ladens book?

One of the things that keeps things like the "troubles" in Ireland and places like the middle-East going is that people can't let loose of one hundred year old memories.

I am not glorifying the Troubles, nor am I trying to keep them alive with this thread. I was just trying to share information about some famous/infamous politician. I don't think, many know the story about the book of condolences ... which was truly embarrassing and therefore swept under every carpet in Ireland

Probably the best thing is give everyone back any land Britain obtained in those days and let them get on with it!
Then they can all live in harmony

Like :Israel - Palestine. India - Pakistan, most of Africa

Then we can all go to B+Q and buy a dust pan and brush and sweep up what's left.
Motowns comments are not strictly correct. Every country dwells on the past, the US being up there at the top.
Problem is is what's happening in the present to change that.

None of these countries will ever live in peace (my views ) because
Say if it was voted on who has what the lossers will never accept the outcome.
I'm sure Dino who lives it everyday can say better.
I'm wondering if he'd say as I think that even if Britain gave up Ireland then the north would play up and vice versa. not sure if I've put that across right?

The 6 counties would play up? In which way?

The danger, I see is, they would rely on financial support from the 26 counties. It might be a different ball game, but when Germany got re unified, tax payers in former West Germany payed dearly to build up the economy in the East of the country.

What 6 countries do you go on about?
I'm talking about north and south Ireland?
They are the parts that matter as it's the north that they want back isn't it?

be under no illusion, I think Ireland have been stung by Europe once already they'll get nothing like that again.
The only reason Europe give money out is so they can control them.

6 Counties equals Northern Ireland

I don't think, the Irish government would ask the EU for help again, there would be public uproar. Other things to be sorted out first, like the housing situation or the health sector ... which won't happen in my life time

Larsi, can you write in big letters for me, I thought it said 'countries'
Kept thinking wtf are they on about

Ireland consists of 32 counties, of which 6 were partitioned in 1921, which then became "Northern Ireland" or the "Occupied 6 Counties" as Irish nationalist Republicans would say, most northern republican/nationalists accuse De Valera of selling out the 6 counties of Ulster..

I'll leave this for motown, yes Mikey the 4th of July springs to mind..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Ireland

I'm not entirely certain that the Republic is still as dedicated to reunification with Ulster as it once was, given the difficulties that this would involve, not the least of which would be the impact on their traditional political parties. I'd be the first to admit that I could be wrong on this point.

Hi deno,
Oh so it's the 6 counties that are divided?
I was thinking it was just north /south.

It would be good to see a referendum so that the people could decide, it seems this is being denied..

I heard many times, the 6 counties should remain as they are. Because they messed up Stormont. For me, this is two different issues, but at least the Blueshirts and their allies found another reason to grill the Shinners

There are 4 provinces Ulster Munster leinster and Connaught. Ulster has 9 counties, but 6 were partitioned in a way that gave the protestants/loyalist/unionists the majority.
Long story

Now, I think we all know the problem with referenda. If the majority vote in a way that the politicians don't like, this can cause a serious crisis as they try everything to prevent the thing voted for coming about as with leaving the European Union here in the U.K.
Personally, I think they're a good method of resolving these issues but they tend to work better for countries with relatively small and homogeneous populations like Iceland and possibly the Republic.

As I am often fond of saying: you can create more lasting and serious trouble by drawing a line on a map than almost anything else.

Well your right about the lines!
Look at Africa, straight lines everywhere. that's fine but as the people are by there nature were nomadic and move with the seasons that has ducked that up!
Hence not being able to feed themselves.