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THE MONTH OF November brings with it colder weather and darker days.
It marks the moment when the cheer of Christmas appears hopefully on the horizon.
And it also spawns an annual furore about an innocuous little red flower called the papaver rhoeas: better known as the poppy.
On the surface, the debate about whether Irish politicians, or Irish people more generally, should wear a poppy seems to be focused on the question of what is the most appropriate way to honour those Irish soldiers who died during the First World War.
But in reality, the poppy argument in Ireland is a proxy war in an ideological battle to define Irishness that has been raging since at least the 19th century.
Identity
When one mentions ideology and Irish identity, people naturally assume this refers to nationalism. Modern Irish nationalism emerged in the 19th century, and its main feature is the idea that Ireland is culturally unique and distinctive, especially from Britain.
Those influenced by nationalism view Irish history as an endless struggle against British rule, and geographically speaking they see Ireland as completely separate from Britain, denying there is any such entity as the “British Isles”.
Politically, Irish nationalists promote the concept of a single, united Ireland. They tend to celebrate Gaelic games as a marker of Irish identity, often accompanied with a suspicion that soccer or rugby are overtly English. They cherish unique hallmarks of Irish culture, such as our indigenous language, music, and dance.
The opposing force to Irish nationalism was traditionally unionism, which provided the philosophical justification for British rule in Ireland. Of course, most people assume that unionism, at least in the south, died out after Ireland became independent.
But it didn’t. Ideologies that have had a powerful influence over people for an extended period of time simply don’t vanish into thin air. They evolve and change, but their influence continues to be felt.
Slavery and race
Perhaps the best example of this can be seen in the United States. In 1990, historian Barbara Jeanne Fields published a seminal article called Slavery, Race, and Ideology in the United States.
In it, Fields sought to answer the question of which came first in American history: slavery, or racism?
To grossly simplify a highly nuanced argument, Fields showed that slavery came first, and then racism evolved in its wake, as people sought some ideological validation for why they treated their fellow human being so terribly.
Of course, slavery was abolished in the United States in the middle of the 19th century. Yet the racism that it begot continues to wield a powerful influence in contemporary American society.
Southern unionism did not die out in Ireland in the 1920s. It merely evolved, becoming a form of nationalism itself. Its adherents, like all nationalists, developed a vision for what their nation should look like in the future.
We might call the traditional form of nationalism in Ireland by these terms that I like to apply to the situation: “Éire nationalism”, and its remodelled unionist counterpart “Irelandshire nationalism”.
Irelandshire nationalists accept the independence of the 26-county Irish state, but they celebrate the social and cultural connections between Ireland and Britain, viewing themselves as more enlightened and inclusive for doing so.
Their version of Irish history stresses the links and connections between Ireland and Britain, and downplays differences between the two.
Irelandshire nationalists are suspicious of efforts to bring about a political union between Ireland and Northern Ireland, as they fear what they see as the zealotry of Irish republicans who live north of the border.
They celebrate the international and cosmopolitan nature of sports like soccer and rugby, often with an accompanying sense that Gaelic games are inferior or parochial. They usually have nothing but contempt for aspects of a distinct Irish culture, such as the Gaelic language.
To be clear, one should not think of these forms of Irish nationalism in “either-or” terms, where everyone either falls into one camp or the other. Instead it would be better to think of these as being two ends of a spectrum.
Certainly, you can find people who would tick all of the boxes on one side or the other, but the world view of most Irish people is formed by some combination of the two.
It is with this understanding of the ever-contested nature of Irish identity that the argument about the wearing of the poppy should be analysed.
It is certainly possible to wish to wear the poppy out of a desire to commemorate fallen soldiers, and nothing more. Although one wonders if it might be more appropriate to find a different way to commemorate all Irish soldiers who have died overseas in foreign service through the centuries, including the almost 100 Irish men killed while serving in UN peacekeeping missions since 1960.
The issue with the poppy is that it is simply undeniable that some who champion its use do so first and foremost because it celebrates a historic link between Ireland and Britain.
In recent years, Senator Frank Feighan has encouraged more Irish politicians to wear poppies during November, and last year helped promote the shamrock poppy as a more acceptable Irish alternative.
Of course, Senator Feighan has also advocated in recent years that Ireland should consider rejoining the Commonwealth.
This isn’t to say that Senator Feighan is wrong to hold those views, and that those who disagree with him are objectively right.
But these two positions together do suggest an ideological consistency in simultaneously placing a special emphasis on the historic relationship between Ireland and Britain while aspiring to deeper political ties once more in the future. That such positions are influenced by the lingering remnants of traditional Irish unionism should be obvious to all.
So let the great poppy debate commence once more. But let us not pretend that it is only about the fit and proper way to honour those Irish soldiers who died in the Great War of the last century.
Caoimhín De Barra is an assistant professor of history at Gonzaga University, Washington.
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No government official, no one in any way associated with any party or government organisation, and no one in banking should sit on this. It should be impartial foreigners to ensure it’s done right.
Except it’s a parliamentary inquiry so it has to be TDs or senators. If it wasn’t a parliamentary inquiry then it would have to be a tribunal presided over by a judge, and we all know how long they take and how expensive they end up being.
Up and running just in time for the summer recess.
Up and running in 4 or 5 months?
That’s just 4 or 5 years too late.
Not a bad reaction time for the Irish government.
Clerical abuse inquiry was 40 or 50 years+ too late.
They said that in July 2013!
They did Shane but the elections are on the horizon now
There’s more chance of Michael Schumacher up and running in four to five months.
Probably turn out like those PAC “grillings”. The culprits answer in grunts and “I’m not sure” answers. Everyone then goes home saying at least we tried. End result: Zero convictions.
A paper chase that has been shredded
No rush, guys. You’ve only been in government for three years.
Like everything these clowns do, a day late and a dollar short.
Another mahon tribunal just what the poor barristers need .
P o. Loved that one. :-)
Except that it’s a parliamentary inquiry and NOT a tribunal.
True . I really didn’t want to go too deep into it . I meant it as a lighthearted quip. The end result will matter as much as the mahon tribunal ie nothing . The high court will be kept busy that is a fact . Thanks for taking the fun out of commenting .
patricia my muse! what does it matter in the great scheme of things? is it a human concept! no such thing in the bigger spectrum… we are the result of the big bang, basically dust! to dust! ashes! to ashes!. Patricia, p.s. dont fear fear! its just words. mean nothing! hatches matches despatches?? not sure the driven licence loced lost!? Be funny to go somewhere safe muse!
This will, no doubt, be another kangaroo court which will provide another set-piece opportunity for politicians to get up on their soapboxes in order to make headline-grabbing, hyperbolic statements and allegations. That being said, it can’t go without remarking how comical it is that six years after the Americans completed their banking inquiry, our legislature is only getting around to starting theirs. Shouldn’t we be embarrassed by this inefficiency and slothfulness?
This enquiry should not start until AFTER the current crop of cases are finished. We should not give any of the accused any possibility of an out from it.
I suggest an enquiry into the governments inaction regarding the recommendations and findings if the recent raft of Tribunals. Specifically focused on why there had been no action on Messrs Aherne and O Brien.
This enquiry has no teeth. No right to hold anyone to account. The Garda and Revenue are the ones who should have been doing this from the outset. FG and FF have too many skeletons in the cupboard or in FF case one live one.
We haven’t seen anyone in court yet facing charges over what happened that led to the banking crisis. One reason for this is that we didn’t have in place the laws that made the actions of those responsible illegal. Five years later we still don’t have such laws. That’s the real scandal.
Theyve had nearly 6 fing yrs
A bag of wind ,wait and see as previously stated nice timing on the run up to elections ,this government is to strong they are able to run amuck and there is no real acceptable opposition ,frightening times and the people don’t seem to be reacting to unacceptable taxes under all different headings ,FF shit on us and FG are rubbing it in
Arrested and in front of the courts is where they should be, with a jury of the Irish people they destroyed, not their fellow cronies asking them “did you gamble with the people of Ireland’s money?”
“NO”
Ok then run along….
*wink wink*
It will be up and running to make FF look guilty b4 next elections
It’s either really late for the last banking crisis or really earlier for the next one! You’ve just to ask is the glass half empty or half full :-)
In Ireland the Rule Of Law and proper ethical standards only apply to to those in receipt annual incomes of less than €120,000 per annum.
There will be no revelation of the truth, no accountability, no personal culpability, just a few bland generalisations. Systemic fault and collective irresponsibility will be the themes.
None of these bankers will answer anything in case they tell the truth and might get charged, don’t forget the clock is ticking and if they can carry this charade on for a total of 7 years then no charges can be brought, and don’t forget we are at the 6 / 7 year mark already
Will the bankers have to apply themselves or will they be nominated by an independent body .If such a body exists ,Who selected them?Will it be a whose who of the disgraced banking sector, and Will they be paying and how much will they be paying to a group of consultants to select the said selectors and final committee? Basically ,How much will this sham cost?
It’s an Oireachtas inquiry. So that means only TDs and Senators will be on the committee.
So then it is not a sham as I first thought.Will this committee be sitting in the Gaiety or Olympia,and can you book tickets through ticketmaster.
Up and running: cost millions and get not result but to make lawyers rich.
Sure what hurry is on them!
Who is the FF rep on this Committee. In the interests of impartiality, if that is possible, it should not be a TD who was in the Ahern Govt.
A “clean skin” to use a FF term for someone without a track record.
Otherwise they are in effect investigating themselves and their past boss.
5/1 barry cowen id say
in the interest it should not be anybody from the country of ireland
Leslie ,I wouldn’t be too mad about Barry Cowan either being a brother of biffo i wouldn’t trust , blood thicker than water and all that ….
Cillian_d, i think you’re on the right track ,it cant or shouldn’t be anyone tainted from the ahern era …………. eerum that leaves, f….all i can think of… perhaps ur man Seanie who post here :)
Put in John McGuiness and Shane Ross they will sort it fast both men of integrity
Bill , You must be joking, integrity & mcguinness = oxymoran …
He has either, found God in the last couple of years, A Born again Moralist , got a bang on the head or the guilt got to him
People have short memories , He was a staunch Bertie man, & firmly sat in Ahrens corner to the end during the indefensible, and a right spendthrift with public money , remember the 250K facelift to his office and lots more … He’s pandering to the masses ….. very dubious !
An inquiry up and running 5 years after the collapse. Wonder how long it will take for its findings
Government just trying to decide which crony consultants to use before they appoint a few ex politicians/judges/special advisors or CEO’s in need of a top up and sure if they wait long enough another more important issue like the jailing of a criminal for protesting on a runway will get the publics back up so much that they’ll forget about a bank inquiry.
Oh goody goody. Doews that mean they will bring back the ‘Moolaqh’. I am only asking because I didn’t get any Moolah last time they were giving it out. I wasn’t well in during the Celtic Tiger era. But I have to admit I can still use my claws.
There are a couple of spelling mistakes in the above post. I want to make sure the Professional grammer police at Mary Immaculate college in Limerick are doing their job. I have to think of everyone. Its part of my policy.
luks gud tu me…
:D
the word COULD is sticking out a mile ,
its means it WON’T
Wow six years on and not one banker or developer arrested or held accountable. Typical Ireland hold out long enough and the people will lose interest.
Why is it that in other countries like America they have arrested and jailed bankers. While in Ireland bankers and developers are free to leave the country with their massive depths behind for everyone else to foot the bill.
If it was the US, they would have served time. In Ireland (ref CRC Kiely it seems to pay to be corrupt). Why do the enquires take so long?
Some expensive heavy is going to have a field day.
And lasting 10 years with no outcome.
let me think about this? You dont pay your tv license and you end up in court! emmm . You fxck up the country and you get this exclusive treament!!! wtf
My real concern is the potential for contaminating the impending trials against named bankers. I don’t believe there are enough members of the current House with sufficient experience to create a Committee that can avoid the mistakes defending lawyers will feast on in those trials.
There is no prospect of any convictions. The trails are a sop. No one involved in these trials takes the exercise as a serious and responsible exercise. It’s a gesture.
Likely there are pending efforts to defer the trials due to prejudice.
I doubt any serious enquiries into the banking curruption. It seems to me to be just another money spinning quango. I have lost faith in the system. Gardaí are out stopping and searching people on the street while banksters and politicians go about free to mess the country up unharrassed.
Agree there Tristan, social media is a great thing but we all need to wake up and smell the coffee and start marching in our hundred of thousands to send a stronger message.
Oh I can’t wait. Heads will roll. We will finally see justice done. Not…
Yeah…………
Emmet stagg??? (rent boy in the phoenix park) yet another cover up by the top brass. I wouldn’t trust anything these knobs say or do.
Can charges be brought after the inquiry or is this just another astronomically expensive fact finding exhibition?
A banking inquiry in 4 to 5 months! Well done the lads in Leinster House! Next week they’ll unveil plans to combat the Y2K problem!
Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve to go tell my boss that I will urgently get on top of my work, and expect to see some possible action in 5 years time.
“Could be”? Grand…
Havn’t heard anything from stag since the Phoneix park scandal
have your say