As a proud Ulsterman, the peace process is indeed over.

The wee troubles have ended and there is no more hindrance to Northern Ireland being British and an important part of the United Kingdom. We have won the battle.

I will die happy knowing that my decedents will grow up as proud British citizens in the UK.

Now is the time to continue strengthening our historical ties with the mainland.

If you read the Good Friday Agreement then the north of Ireland may not neccesarily be part of britain for that much longer. One needs to respect the fact that almost as many people in six counties see themselves as Irish, as people who see themselves as British.

I actually agree with Mjhint stop the press ;-)

The last picture says it all! They won and we lost, time to move on.

While there is indeed a whole generation who are now adults that have not directly known the troubles, there is still so much to do. For instance, among three year olds, 50% are already aware of sectarian symbols while 90% of six year olds are aware of what is a Catholic of Protestant symbol; they already are aware what ‘side’ of the community they belong to.

The sectarian and hatred is still there from the beginning. This must be the next stage of the peace process as you right said there’s ‘no going back now’. More must be done to bring the two communities together after the 18 years of peace, however impossible it might sound.

What has being near a barracks got to do with anything? My cousins grannies dog was murdered by the Brits in ballymurphy, where’s my medal?

You are right, the peace process has benefited everyone enormously, both in a personal and business sense….on a side note Eddie and I don’t mean to rain on your parade but the “little corner of ireland” I presume you are referring to is a constituent country called Northern Ireland and SF are the 4th largest party in the Republic of Ireland and the 2nd largest in Northern Ireland.

At least Loyalist para’s aren’t murdering Catholics anymore, not to mention a plethora of other changes. There’s relative peace now, ingrained sectarian attitudes take longer to overcome though.

Does your definition of sectarianism also include radical republicanism? At least Catholic terrorists aren’t murdering Protestant innocents now.
Unless in your statement if you can’t label people then sorry, sectarianism will live on..

Depends what your definition of “radical republicanism” is, but if it’s merely extreme Irish nationalism, well then yes it does contain a sectarian element. I wasn’t trying to label anyone, merely pointing out the absence of paramilitarism as a positive change.

Ah, agreed Liam!

Scotland may see sense so there is hope yet.

Eddie – take a chill pill mate, Toorkeel is right. A United Ireland will only occur when the majority in NI vote for it to occur. That isn’t going to happen anytime soon. As for SF being the largest 32 county party, to my knowledge they are the only 32 county party.

The Green Party are also 32 county.

Eddie – There ain’t gonna be a united Ireland in any of our lifetimes. In fact, I’m yet to be convinced there’ll ever be one. The GFA has legitimised norn iron.

You are correct as in the landmass we inhabit is indeed, “Ireland”. In that landmass there are two countries, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Republic gave up her claim on Northern Ireland, a large majority voted for this to happen in order to help progress the peace process As for the unstoppable train you speak of, correct me if wrong but did a recent Northern Ireland Life and Times poll show that 72% of those polled from across both communities were happy for Northern Ireland not to “reunite” with the Republic and remain as they are. I understand it can be easy to be blinded by the SF propoganda machine when its full flow so I will allow you that and just to reiterate, SF are not the largest party in either NI or ROI, granted they may hold the majority in a few. It’s bums on seats that count and SF don’t have the said bums on seats to make them a majority party in either NI or ROI.

Eddie you made a very good point about the extremities of SF & DUP joining forces to govern the north. In my view we still have sectarian problems in the north but hopefully over the generations we can heal these divides which are present within the groups that support both parties. However if we succeed to heal this sectarian divide & change attitudes dont be too surprised if extreme attitudes changing also change extreme politics. A move towards moderate ideas in the north will be the death of the DUP & SF.

Nicely put Eddie but janey watch out the anti SF brigade won’t be too happy with your predictions and statement.

Add SF in a positive way to any comment and expect a back lash of red thumbs and ignorance.

It is indeed inevitable under the good friday agreement that a united Ireland will happen. As to when that will be is the million dollar question.

Bear in mind that the very same anti SF commenters are from the same ilk who professed that there will never be peace in the six counties of Ireland in their lifetime. Low and behold they were wrong and I hope time will prove them wrong again in my lifetime. It would be a very proud day to be Irish in a united Ireland when that day inevitably comes around.

Sad thing is if this country was to be used as a toxic waste dump for every nuclear reactor in the world, most people here wouldn’t lift a finger.

There is an addiction to being crapped on here.

There were atrocities on both sides William, keep it unbiased.

Hardly an important part it has and probally will remain a drain on the good english tax payer.Saying that its not that the republic can afford to keep ye afloat either.

As a proud Irishman, I am happy that there is no more hindrance to my fellow Irishmen in Ulster having equal rights and playing an important part in the Stormont government.
For far too long the fanatical Loyalist regime has intimidated our people and denied us peace. Thanfully the fight is over and it worked out in our favour.
I’m glad that my fellow Irishmen can grow up proud, free, and most importantly, Irish in Northern Ireland.

The fight is over and this has worked out in everyone’s favour. Please explain how you have benefitted more than anyone else?

Yeah I’d love an Ireland at war again…

Why is that Patrick?

…in fact Patrick, the only time Ireland was ever united was when it was part of the UK…..food for thought for the Shinnerbots…:)