Prince Charles in Ireland

You may well be right merlotgran but we must all be relieved that the bombing, killing of innocents and the fragile peace is holding.

I agree with what you say, trisher but I can't help feeling that it suits Adams to play the peacemaker now and he doesn't ever come across as having a sincere bone in his body.

Just my opinion.

I agree trisher.

Many states are founded by the actions of violent people sometimes called terrorists and sometimes freedom fighters. The history of Ireland is filled with unnecessary deaths, making accusations and calling people evil does nothing to help the peace process. There were crimes on both sides and both sides thought they were justified in doing what they did. By shaking hands both Charles and Gerry Adams show they have moved on and are committed to a peaceful Ireland. I admire both of them. No one is expected to forgive or to forget, but working for peace requires acceptance of the past whilst planning for the future. Let us hope that the peace holds.

And all those dead horses laid out in Hyde Park. The whole thing was so hideous and pointless. What did it achieve except to harden resistance against the IRA?

I remember being worried about my children going into town when they got older. Who would have thought that we went through all those years of worry over IRA bombs and now have Islamic Fundamentalists doing the same. Whatever the reason behind it all I don't know how anyone can do such a thing to innocent people .

While Adams was talking of atrocities on both sides I hope he was including the murders of many of his own countrymen by IRA thugs.

I was scared sh....ss to be honest.

We were told there were more bombs and to expect multiple bodies.
I remember trying to clean up the floors to stop us slipping up.......
And being so sickened.

I'd never even seen a bad road accident victim until then, we just blanked it out and went into auto drive I guess.

Sorry.

loopylou, you are of course absolutely right to add the massacres and murders of innocent people in England. I apologise if my post seemed to dismiss that. I was caught up in my conflicted feelings about the need to somehow change the relationship between NI and the rest of the UK, (mainly of course, England).

I live in Gtr Manchester, my nephew was in manchester at age 16 when the bomb in the Arndale centre devastated the city. How hundreds weren't killed we'll never know. We're a short distance from Warrington where 2 young boys were blown up by the IRA. My father was a senior police officer involved in policing a big pro republican demonstration in Manchester many years ago. I remember how frighted his family were for his safety and can't imagine what it was like for you as a nurse following the Hyde Park bomb.

Of course there were atrocities on both sides but it wasn't just the Irish on both sides, the IRA bombed, massacred and murdered many innocent people in England too.

I was nursing in St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park at the time of the Hyde Park bomb and saw sights I'd never want anyone to experience.

I accept that things must move on but I, for one, will not forget or forgive anyone associated with the IRA.

Same for me Iam, too easy to think all killings were carried out in evil attacks by the IRA and all killings carried out by unionists and the army were self defence . I admired Charles today for acknowledging the grief suffered by all regardless of faith etc and I admire the people of Ireland for extending such warmth to the colonel in chief of the parachute regiment

Anniebach makes a good point about the innocent Irish people who died during the troubles. I can only speak for myself Anniebach, but my dislike and mistrust of the republican movement equally applies to the unionist paramilitaries. I am not disputing that colonialism created all manner of negatives that we still reap the consequences of but I feel strongly that there comes a point when we have to consign some things to history and move forward together. That's what's happened with the peace agreement and it's significant that the Queen met with Martin M and now her son has met with Gerry A. The symbolism is so important and despite my feelings about murderous paramilitaries I accept not all wrongs can be put right. I therefore accept that the meeting would have been a challenge for Gerry A as it was for Prince Charles. Congrats to both of them and let's hope the fragile peace holds.

Evil b.....d Gerry Adams, he embodies evil in my eyes. As for that smirk on his face....... I wouldn't trust him an inch.

I admire Prince Charles, I couldn't have done it.

Like others on here it wouldn't surprise me if hanging on to his cup and saucer wasn't sending a subtle message.

merlot, thanks for the book recommendation. I "looked inside" it on Amazon and read enough to know that I want to read it all, so have downloaded it.

If we can't move on from the things that happened during the Troubles how can we expect the Irish to move on from the grievances that started it all in the first place? But I do agree about the way that Prince Charles has handled it. It was interesting to hear about his letters regarding the lack of equipment for the soldiers during the Iraq war because I know for a fact they were badly equipped ,and it's good that Prince Charles spoke up for them in his letters.

Luckily Prince Charles always has impeccable manners. I would have liked to head butt Gerry flippin Adams myself but I wasn't there!

I know I'm repeating myself but I can really recommend the book, From A Clear Blue Sky by Timothy Knatchbull if anyone is interested in learning the facts from a member of the family who was on the boat. It's revealing, frightening, exasperating in places (Mountbatten was very stubborn) and utterly heartbreaking. The loss of his twin brother must have been overwhelming as well as worrying about his mother's injuries and his sadness at the death of the local boy.

There are also heartwarming moments especially when the Queen steps in to help with his recovery.

This will be a sad day for Prince Charles. I hope the press are not too intrusive.

It was sad about the two fourteen year olds too. We mustn't forget them Well, and the old lady.

I think I agree with that Ash. Good move.

my in laws lived in Mullaghmore at the time of Mountbattens death, although MiL was in Scotland at the time. Mountbatten was well liked by the village as he came for two weeks every August and that was the problem everyone knew when he was coming. He was affectionally known as Lordy.
The Shadow 5 was kept in the harbour in the summer and at a boat yard in the winter where it got a lick of paint. It was however an old wooden boat at heart.
It was known that members of the IRA lived in the area. Mountbatten did not seem to have any sort of police or security guard. It was an incident waiting to happen unfortunately.
Prince Charles is at last able to visit the place that was the scene of his great uncles death I hope he is given some privacy but it will be a media circus.

Gerry Adams makes me feel ill, his smug grinning face. He has blood on his hands, no doubt about that, but....if this charade helps to keep the peace process on track then it was worth it and I have to say my admiration for Prince Charles went up, I have always been rather indifferent to him. What I find interesting is Mountbatten's biography which I may now read; he was a Machiavellian rogue by all accounts, should be a good read.

I did wonder about the cuppa as well. It made the scene look less formal, much more casual. It occurred to me that it could have been deliberately staged by the Prince Charles team as if to say, "Don't imagine for a minute that I have the respect for you that would require me to put my tea down first".

I guess that's your second suggestion merlot.

What of the murders of innocent Irish people, I agree with Adams , it must have bern difficult for both

As for the cup in hand, I assume he was offered it and held it as he talked to others in the room , doubt he demanded one be brought to him just as he was to meet Adams

Actually, you can't go to Ireland without having a cup of tea. They INSIST!

N Ireland is even worse because they bring out the as well.

I wonder what Mrs. Brown would make of it?

'That's nice?'

Yes! I agree about the cup of tea. I was so worried he was going to spill tea down his suit. None of the others had cups of tea.

Your theories are interesting merlot. I wonder.