While everyone is entitled to their own view on the past, the shouting of IRA slogans shows why we need independent historians to write a single narrative

As I watched a news report on the ABC network here in Australia, which showed jubilant supporters of Sinn Fein celebrating their electoral successes by singing a pro IRA ballad from the republican repertoire of anti-Britishness, I had that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I once lost control of my car descending an icy Glenshane Pass.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Feb 2020, 14:38 BST
Updated 12th Feb 2020, 22:28 BST
David Cullinane TD of Sinn Fein, who shouted 'Up the Republic, Up the Ra and Tiocfaidh ar La,' pictured with Mary Lou McDonald at an election count in Dublin on Monday. Elsewhere, party supporters sang an IRA ballad. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WireDavid Cullinane TD of Sinn Fein, who shouted 'Up the Republic, Up the Ra and Tiocfaidh ar La,' pictured with Mary Lou McDonald at an election count in Dublin on Monday. Elsewhere, party supporters sang an IRA ballad. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
David Cullinane TD of Sinn Fein, who shouted 'Up the Republic, Up the Ra and Tiocfaidh ar La,' pictured with Mary Lou McDonald at an election count in Dublin on Monday. Elsewhere, party supporters sang an IRA ballad. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

They were not singing about Dublin rents, medical care or homelessness.

The were exulting in their narrative of ‘armed struggle’ and their ‘fight for freedom’.

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There are many people in Northern Ireland who do not wish to deny any group a historical perspective but the time is overdue when a body of independent historians could produce a single narrative, which would become part of the curriculum of all schools in both of the jurisdictions in Ireland.

George McNally, Port Melbourne, Australia

Related topics:AustraliaIRASinn FeinNorthern Ireland