Yes, it is indeed all too obvious (having joined this thread again after several days leave) that so many well intentioned English posters (perhaps many even "British") have no real understanding of the underlying reasons for the centuries old animosity toward them from so many Irish people.
Of course our educational systems approach the whole topic of British Rule versus Irish Nationalism from diametrically opposing points.
It does not score any points for people to talk of bombs on High Streets of Britain, placed by IRA men. What is the difference between those and the ones "placed" by British Forces in all their many wars ?, the fact that some were dropped from many thousands of feet higher up?
You can say all you like about the differing reasons for detonating such devices but , the end result is the same. The death of innocent non-combatants, sometimes in their thousands. Very few Irish people now want any continuation of a shooting/bombing campaign by the IRA in any of it's guises but it is not helpful to suggest that either side have gained any victory. Not yet anyway.