Northern Whig and Belfast Newsletter on #Soloheadbeg and the First Dáil: #Dail100

Given that the two centenaries were being commemorated over the past week or so, I’ve reproduced text from two contemporary articles commentating on them from a unionist perspective. One is from the Northern Whig, the other from the Belfast Newsletter. Both are worth a read for the startling use of language about martyrs at Soloheadbeg

Claims of anti-Catholic bias by the old Stormont regime are hugely exaggerated…!

“Accusations of discrimination against Catholics by the unionist Stormont regime of 1921-72 have been a staple of nationalist politics, underlying the Good Friday Agreement and the aspiration for Irish unity. The allegations are widely believed, even by unionists, but are hugely exaggerated.” So claims Graham Gudgin, David Trimble’s former adviser, in one of the, now

The shooting of John Pat Cunningham, 1974

Here is another case from the 1970’s that is in the news today. Basically, the Belfast Newsletter is attempting to troll nationalists into reacting to their strategy of trying to put ‘legacy’ issues to the forefront of politics at the minute. Mainly, you’d have to guess, because the DUP, and presumably the UUP, fear the

Truckling to Treason: Belfast Newsletter reflects on the Rebellion, 4th May 1916

The following is the editorial in the Belfast Newsletter on 4th May 1916, entitled ‘Reflections on the Rebellion’. It gives an insight into the immediate response to the Easter Rising. What stands out is the obsession with particular aspects of the Easter Rising. This can be seen in the criticism of the British governments administration in Ireland