Happy Easter to you.
And God bless those men who, 90 years ago, took the brave stand that helped create a free nation.
Happy Easter, UI. Thanks for all the great articles about 1916. I've not had much spare time to browse/comment lately, but I've been dropping by whenever possible and catching up. Enjoy your well-earned break.
You have provided an utterly one sided view of this event, as shown in your simplistic and naive comments below, alienated those of whose who debated with you with your childish tantrums, insulted us, childishly severed the links to our website, been applauded by a bigot for the forthright expression of your views (not even understanding the implications of him doing that) complained about a Northerner commenting on "your country" (how ironic is that?) revealed your anti-British bigotry for all the world to see and are now off to celebrate the non-achievement of a United Ireland which you will never see in your lifetime. Good work!
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Luckily for us, a minority of men and women were able to see the true colours associated with British rule and Ireland was saved from the iron grip of its evil master.
the British were in no fit position to govern Ireland (not that they ever were) and we should all be grateful that their vile deeds exposed their true colours to the Irish people
It is only fitting that we give thanks and pay tribute to the heroic attitude displayed by those who got sick and tired of Ireland being Britain's punching bag.
Let us just be grateful that the Easter Rising revealed to the Irish people the true colours of their British masters and that it helped inspire the people to cast off the yoke of British oppression
The British invaded Ireland, stole Irish land, they discriminated against Catholics for centuries, in this story, who were the bad guys and who were the good guys?
Pay homage to the brave Easter rebels who fought the good fight against the British oppressors back in the year 1916.
He did all that AND he pissed off a couple of self-revering muffdivers on the net. He's the man, isn't he? 
UI,
Enjoy the few days break.
"You have provided an utterly one sided view of this event, as shown in your simplistic and naive comments below, alienated those of whose who debated with you with your childish tantrums, insulted us, childishly severed the links to our website, been applauded by a bigot for the forthright expression of your views (not even understanding the implications of him doing that) complained about a Northerner commenting on "your country" (how ironic is that?) revealed your anti-British bigotry for all the world to see and are now off to celebrate the non-achievement of a United Ireland which you will never see in your lifetime."
Well ladies,
I'd have to say, utterly on-sided it hasn't been, though the general trend was to lean in favour of the Rebel side, so one-sided, yes it was a bit. I fairness, I feel both of you have a point - despite begrudgers - however, United Irelander also has one.
There still is, rightly or wrongly, a general feeling that what Britain did in the past here was wrong, unforgiveable even. It was that feeling which, after the executions of the rebels, turned the tide in the 1916 Easter rising massively against Britain when at the outset the general opinion was not very much in favour of the Rising in the first place. This feeling, however latent is the biggest single obstacle to a United Ireland (IMHO) on the nationalist side. It has made so many of the atrocities done in the name of freedom since seem almost justified in the hearts of so many otherwise good caring and decent people. I do feel that United Irelander has done us all a service to bring so much of this past into out minds once again. For me personally it does mean that this
"unforgiveable" past is something I can forgive, forget and move on with my life quite easily now. I hope some others will also feel the same.
On the other hand, I feel dissapointed as I think both Jo & Jacqui are quite moderate politically in their views, as is United Irelander, and I felt this would have been a good oportunity to reach out across the divide, sadly the opposite seems to have happened.
Unionism has it's demons also, the biggest of those (again, IMHO) is being in Ireland for the past 400 years or so (around 16 generations ie. the Great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandparents came from Scotland, England or wherever.) and still not considering yourselves Irish. I have friends who were born in Scotland to Scotch parents and moved here as infants and small children & they consider themselves Irish, they can't understand this fixation with Britishness (or not Irishness) any more than I can. C'mon, we all love Scotland it's a great country, no one has the monopoly of that. But you have been here a long time now, you're allowed call yourselves Irish now.
As a little thought for us all this Easter Sunday, for those of who want a United Ireland, start where you are. Reach out to your neighbours, th
Hi Jo. I must say your horrible comments which attempted to pour scorn on a day that is so dear to millions of Irish people around the world left me disappointed, if not surprised. However I'm not going to berate you for that.
I've actually viewed your site and I see you have concocted a fictional character that you refer to as "Jacqui". This, added with some of your other false claims in the past, leads me to suspect that you may have some personal problems that need addressing.
As for those of you who very kindly wished me a nice Easter, thank you and same to you all. I've really enjoyed the day and it has brought home to me how far the Irish nation has come.
The begrudgers are raging but it just makes the day all that more sweeter!
Happy Easter guys. All the best.
Hey, why not call me a muffdiver as well?
"Hi Jo. I must say your horrible comments which attempted to pour scorn on a day that is so dear to millions of Irish people around the world left me disappointed, if not surprised. However I'm not going to berate you for that.
Glad to hear no berating, that's good.
"I've actually viewed your site and I see you have concocted a fictional character that you refer to as "Jacqui". This, added with some of your other false claims in the past, leads me to suspect that you may have some personal problems that need addressing."
Man, wouldn't we look stupid if Jacqui actually existed?
"As for those of you who very kindly wished me a nice Easter, thank you and same to you all. I've really enjoyed the day and it has brought home to me how far the Irish nation has come."
We've at best taken the first shaky steps, ther's loads more to go. But, as they say, the longest journey starts with the first step.
Jo
There's nothing wrong with being a muff diver, sure - I'm one myself.
am partial to drinking from the furry cup meself
Jo I understand your distaste for violence, who doesn't prefer kindness, but the sad truth is Ireland was born through it, by necessity.Blood and sacrifice.
As is giving birth to a child painful, as is Christ's suffering on the cross. It's all part of the same struggle. Now we have another way, so enough of it. Now is the time for peace.
I would hope on the passing of Easter that we can all do a bit of slagging off of the Orangemen in the run-up to the 12th! But watch what words you use! 
I am glad to hear that the furry cup is popular, but it is in safe hands and lips, thank you for your kind interest and concerns. Jacqui is for the moment declining further blogging on Ireland as you will see. I shall train her well, dont you worry.
Lorcan
"Man, wouldn't we look stupid if Jacqui actually existed?"
Indeed but what about those who bought that she was real?
She doesn't exist mate. In fact, from reading JoBlog, I think my comments today have ended the ruse!
Well done on this series, UI.
Remember, though, all the things you have as a result of the Rising, we are still waiting for.
Enjoy your break. You've earned it.
Can anyone explain why these Easter rebellion commemorations take place on Easter Sunday, when the rebellion happened on Easter Monday?
Willow
I think its designed to annoy religious fundamentalists
Strange, I don't have a homepage.
Observer doesn't know the answer.
Could someone else advise?
Willow
I'm guessing here, but it could be that most of the city centre shops are closed on Easter Sunday, but open on Easter Monday. This means that the commemoration ceremony can go ahead with minimum disruption to city-centre businesses.
That can't be the reason, as ALL commemorations take place on Sunday, including those at Milltown cemetery in Belfast, Bodenstown, and various other places throughout Ireland that are not city-centre or commercial locations.
I think tradionally all commeration and GAA matchs happened on Sundays as it was the only day that the majority of working class people were not working.
Nonsense. Easter Monday has been a public holiday since the 1860s.
So people with hangovers can have a decent lie in on the Monday.
Come on, lads!
There must be some way we can argue about this.
Actually Willow has a sensible point for once. Why is the celebration of 1916 always on the Sunday? Does anyone know?
I hope the orcs on Abbey St were watching the parade (and, more importantly, the 120,000 "terrorist sympathisers" (snigger) who came to pay their respects) on Sunday.
Nonsense. Easter Monday has been a public holiday since the 1860s.
Not where I live. What a rip off. 
That can't be the reason, as ALL commemorations take place on Sunday
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Some commemorations are on the Monday although the vast majority are not the Sunday. Not sure about the reason for it.
Observer
Ya only get a homepage if ya have actually have a site to linbk to. Could I perhaps recommend you taking on a well known Republican blog as you favoured site?
Someone must know!
I figured the celebrations were held on Sunday as it was more likely that people would be able to attend. "Day of rest" and all that.
That doesn't follow, since Easter Monday is a public holiday.
Anyone else?
November
I hope that wasn't an indecent proposal!
willow
"That doesn't follow, since Easter Monday is a public holiday."
What's not to follow? Sunday is a more convenient day than a Monday (holiday or no holiday).
It's not any more convenient. It's no less and no more convenient.
Anyone know the reason?
Surely someone knows the answer?
I would be interested to hear the stories of the young men killed by the Irish rebels, I am sure they also had heart broken mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives and children. Much of Irish history can be explained by the economic wealth and poverty of all the groups, it is too simplistic to just blame the British.
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