Bruton says Easter Rising was "unnecessary"

[Eamonnca1]

Was it?

http://www.forasach.ie/2014/08/07/great-war-ireland-john-bruton-1916/

"... However this was not how politicians operated in those days. Honor was deemed more important than international peace and stability, brinkmanship was commonplace, and the tendency was to use force more readily to solve problems than in today's world where war is (or in theory should) be used as a last resort after exhausting the numerous other diplomatic channels that are now available. Therefore if the 1916 Rising was "unnecessary", it was no more "unnecessary" than the Great War or any other conflict of the time."

[Syferus]

Sure the Irish public detested the Rising at the time. Its importance has always been openly questioned. Well, since Dev's idyllic image of catholic parochial Ireland died sometime in the 1970s and 1980s.

[foxcommander]

Sure the Irish public detested the Rising at the time. Its importance has always been openly questioned. Well, since Dev's idyllic image of catholic parochial Ireland died sometime in the 1970s and 1980s.

lots of West brits / free-staters were happy enough waving union jacks. sure how many creamed themselves when Lizzy visited?
Couldn't bend over far enough.

[muppet]

Was it?

http://www.forasach.ie/2014/08/07/great-war-ireland-john-bruton-1916/

"... However this was not how politicians operated in those days. Honor was deemed more important than international peace and stability, brinkmanship was commonplace, and the tendency was to use force more readily to solve problems than in today's world where war is (or in theory should) be used as a last resort after exhausting the numerous other diplomatic channels that are now available. Therefore if the 1916 Rising was "unnecessary", it was no more "unnecessary" than the Great War or any other conflict of the time."

It probably was at the time.

Until the Brits decided how to respond to it and in hindsight it took on a greater significance.

[Eamonnca1]

I'd say Redmond was the same as the rest of them. Expected a quick war with light casualties.  There was a faction in Russia that wanted to plough on with the war but as the death toll got out of control and the war became unpopular the Bolsheviks gained the upper hand.

[Itchy]

Sure the Irish public detested the Rising at the time. Its importance has always been openly questioned. Well, since Dev's idyllic image of catholic parochial Ireland died sometime in the 1970s and 1980s.

There is quite a bit of debate on your first sentence. Just because a mob landed on the streets to boo the rebels doesn't mean they had insignificant support.

[Mayo Mick]

Sure the Irish public detested the Rising at the time. Its importance has always been openly questioned. Well, since Dev's idyllic image of catholic parochial Ireland died sometime in the 1970s and 1980s.

Don't  usually respond to this sort of nonsense but it seems you have read too much of the Sunday Indo and never read a history book in your life. There is no evidence that the rising was either popular or unpopular - there have been a lot of generalisations based on a couple of minor episodes of jeering at the leaders which took place in areas that would have been more unionist/loyalist leaning.

As for questioning its importance most of the questioning has come from revisionists who have an agenda in playing down it's importance and relevance.  Suggest you try and read and understand a bit of history before you pontificate. Spouting opinion on GAA matters is fine but you should confine your ignorance to such matters. Maybe reflect that the 1916 leaders gave their lives for clowns like you.

[ONeill]

Was every rising or rebellion in Ireland unnecessary?

[Syferus]

Sure the Irish public detested the Rising at the time. Its importance has always been openly questioned. Well, since Dev's idyllic image of catholic parochial Ireland died sometime in the 1970s and 1980s.

Don't  usually respond to this sort of nonsense but it seems you have read too much of the Sunday Indo and never read a history book in your life. There is no evidence that the rising was either popular or unpopular - there have been a lot of generalisations based on a couple of minor episodes of jeering at the leaders which took place in areas that would have been more unionist/loyalist leaning.

As for questioning its importance most of the questioning has come from revisionists who have an agenda in playing down it's importance and relevance.  Suggest you try and read and understand a bit of history before you pontificate. Spouting opinion on GAA matters is fine but you should confine your ignorance to such matters. Maybe reflect that the 1916 leaders gave their lives for clowns like you.

Hi Mick, good to see you're expanding your horizon beyond your wheelhouse of trolling Mayo supporters.

[muppet]

What is our fascination with the bloody side of things only?

Where is the celebration of Catholic Emancipation?
Where is the celebration of the achievements of the Land League?

Leaving aside opinions on 1916, why do we feel (Britain does this to an absurd degree) the need to celebrate war and conflict and we are inclined to ignore the other successes on the road to (in our case) independence.

[magpie seanie]

Well said Mayo Mick. Whatever the revisionists say there's no doubt the Rising ended up being the catalyst for independence for the 26 counties and brave men put their lives on the line. I for one will be grateful to them for that.

Also - while anyone can put there opinions out there why give John Bruton's views any oxygen? What has he ever achieved? A terrible career of failure in politics notably including almost ending the peace process after the first IRA ceasefire with his hand wringing and pandering to unionism. His judgement is one to be taken with a pinch of salt in my view. A pure bottler of the highest order - you'd never see the likes of him standing for anything if it involved a risk.

[Syferus]

What is our fascination with the bloody side of things only?

Where is the celebration of Catholic Emancipation?
Where is the celebration of the achievements of the Land League?

Leaving aside opinions on 1916, why do we feel (Britain does this to an absurd degree) the need to celebrate war and conflict and we are inclined to ignore the other successes on the road to (in our case) independence.

Same reason most summer blockbusters are filled with tits and explosions. People are attracted to spectacles. Parnell working his arse off for Home Rule just doesn't make for as exciting a story. That said, his personal life did..

[macdanger2]

What is our fascination with the bloody side of things only?

Where is the celebration of Catholic Emancipation?
Where is the celebration of the achievements of the Land League?

Leaving aside opinions on 1916, why do we feel (Britain does this to an absurd degree) the need to celebrate war and conflict and we are inclined to ignore the other successes on the road to (in our case) independence.

The Land League / War must be one of the most important yet least celebrated events in Irish history

[Farrandeelin]

Well said Mayo Mick. Whatever the revisionists say there's no doubt the Rising ended up being the catalyst for independence for the 26 counties and brave men put their lives on the line. I for one will be grateful to them for that.

Also - while anyone can put there opinions out there why give John Bruton's views any oxygen? What has he ever achieved? A terrible career of failure in politics notably including almost ending the peace process after the first IRA ceasefire with his hand wringing and pandering to unionism. His judgement is one to be taken with a pinch of salt in my view. A pure bottler of the highest order - you'd never see the likes of him standing for anything if it involved a risk.

+1

[macdanger2]

Also - while anyone can put there opinions out there why give John Bruton's views any oxygen? What has he ever achieved? A terrible career of failure in politics notably including almost ending the peace process after the first IRA ceasefire with his hand wringing and pandering to unionism. His judgement is one to be taken with a pinch of salt in my view. A pure bottler of the highest order - you'd never see the likes of him standing for anything if it involved a risk.

I don't necessarily agree with him or think he was the best taoiseach we've had but I'd have preferred him to remain in power than have his successor.....