take a look at that same Clancy bros songbook - i think you'll find you're wrong.

but if you think for a minute - you'll find you know hundreds of songs about the '98 rebellion, about Parnell, O'Connel, Nell flaherty's Goose, etc - the list is endless and i'm not an expert like Jim.

its not a case of anyone being obnoxious. its just a case of people giving credence to guys who have a living to make. so they say something outrageous.

The English government did all that could be expected of decent Christian folk to help the victims of the Irish famine. The first world war Generals made a fine job of organising their campaigns.

i got nothing against people talking bollocks for a living. it just amazes me that sensible people swallow the shit - when a few conversations with their grandparents would have told them about the 1st world war . and the smouldering resentment at the heart of all Irish culture might offer up a clue to all but the purblind.

of course if you never bothered listening to your grandparents - thought they had nowt to tell you cos you were young and you knew everything - you will have to rely on these poncy historians with their endess pursuit of a controversial angle to sell their latest book.

similarly if you don't read Joyce, Yeats, O'Casey, Behan - or listen to folk ballads. theres this newspaper that might suit you called the Daily Sport - it features stories about Elvis being on the moon. very well researched i'm sure.