I didn’t take much notice of the Queen’s visit to Ireland when it was being arranged. I guess, like most people, I hoped that it would pass peacefully and there wouldn’t be the same scenes we saw during the “Love Ulster” parades a few years ago. I didn’t really think it was such a big deal. That was until tonight, when watching the 9 o’clock news.
I’m not the most patriotic man in Ireland though I am very content in my Irishness. I cried with happiness during Italia 90 when we beat Romania on penalities. I even wear something green on St. Patrick’s Day. However, I never got the whole significance of the impact England has had on our identities – this chip on our shoulder. Why did the arrival of this symbol of Englishness make so many people feel somewhat uncomfortable?
The events that took place over the last few days, summarised excellently by the RTE News, made me understand the journey that some Irish people have gone through. I was particularly touched by the short piece about Mick Hogan’s nephew. I would imagine many thoughts went through this man’s head when the Queen visited Croke Park. However, I think he voiced the opinions of almost every Irish person. It really seems like we have closed a chapter in our history book – a chapter that took almost 900 years to get through.
We may go back to our position of hating the English in the coming days. I hope not. One never knows, Ireland may have just entered adulthood.