Not the traditional Xmas speech from the Queen ( although she did mention her trip to Ireland) but rather the one she made in Dublin Castle earlier this year. Just watching a documentary on one of our national tv channels about the Queen's visit to Ireland. I'm not sure if you guys realise what a momentous occasion this was as imo, it marked the end of the healing between our two countries( Some would say the end of the war). We are finally looking to the future as equals with so much in common. We have a huge ex-pat community living here that have become"more Irish than the Irish themselves" and how many generations of Irish are living in the UK? I can remember travelling to the UK in tha late 80's and having to keep quiet, as my accent would attract the wrong sort of attention. Nowadays, if a British person hears an Irish accent, they are inevitably "brought into the fold". The same applies vice versa, we welcome British people with open arms as we share so much common history. I thought the Queen put it most elequently when she said (particularly as her cousin, Lord Mountbatten< was killed by the IRA in 1979)
"
Of course, the relationship has not always
been straightforward; nor has the record over the centuries been
entirely benign. It is a sad and regrettable reality that through
history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of
heartache, turbulence and loss.
These events have touched us all, many of us
personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who
have died or been injured, and their families. To all those who have
suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere
thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we
can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not
at all. But it is also true that no-one who looked to the future over
the past centuries could have imagined the strength of the bonds that
are now in place between the governments and the people of our two
nations, the spirit of partnership that we now enjoy, and the lasting
rapport between us. No-one here this evening could doubt that heartfelt
desire of our two nations.
Sorry if I sound nostalgic, I've had a few beers but just want you guys to know that you are a shining example of relations should be between our two noble races.
P.S> I'm going to be very embarrassed tomorrow when I read this!
"
Of course, the relationship has not always
been straightforward; nor has the record over the centuries been
entirely benign. It is a sad and regrettable reality that through
history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of
heartache, turbulence and loss.
These events have touched us all, many of us
personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who
have died or been injured, and their families. To all those who have
suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere
thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we
can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not
at all. But it is also true that no-one who looked to the future over
the past centuries could have imagined the strength of the bonds that
are now in place between the governments and the people of our two
nations, the spirit of partnership that we now enjoy, and the lasting
rapport between us. No-one here this evening could doubt that heartfelt
desire of our two nations.
Sorry if I sound nostalgic, I've had a few beers but just want you guys to know that you are a shining example of relations should be between our two noble races.
P.S> I'm going to be very embarrassed tomorrow when I read this!
