7 thoughts on “Ireland Unfree

    1. Slightly Bemused

      O’Donovan Rossa had 3 wives, but not at the same time. He remarried after the death of his first wife and again after the death of his second. This was in keeping with his faith and the law of the land he was in at the time.

      Osama bin Laden was married to more than 1 woman (officially 3 I think at the same time, but in total 6 or 7 with divorces and annulments included). However, this was in keeping with his faith and the law of the land(s) he was in at the time.

      This is therefore an irrelevant comparison.

      The terrorism thing, now, that is different. It is said that O’Donovan Rossa inaugurated possibly the first modern era terrorism campaign, and bin Laden is credited with the modern form of extremist terrorism. Both felt that extreme methods were justified by the end cause.

      I learned in school that O’Donovan Rossa deliberately did not target civilians (although some did die and were injured as a result of his campaign) but I know not enough of the truth to say if this is just history being re-written or a reflection of the culture of the day. It is clear bin Laden felt that civilians were a valid target,

      There is of course that old cliché “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”.

    1. Slightly Bemused

      I have to admit when I read it (just after watching the re-enactment of Pearse’s speech – I did chuckle

  1. Ted Lamattina

    Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace. Rossa’s funeral, and Pearse’s oration, had the desired effect of mobilising Republicans and creating the conditions for a rising.

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