Before this thread rides off into the sunset, can I just mention what I believe to be a positive form of nationalism.
This year has marked the centenary of The Easter Rising in Ireland – it has been truly magnificent.
There have been no displays of jingoism or hatred for the former Empire – certainly not in my experience.
Certainly, there has been pride in being the first country to challenge the might of the most powerful Empire in the world and start the dominoes tumbling, but this has been carried out intelligently and sensitively, with as much self examination and criticism as it has in attacking the 8 centuries of foreign influence.   
The celebration has included a landslide of fresh information in the form of literature and film – a truly healthy and open debate of a momentous event in Irish History.
I've been interested in the subject for most of my life, but I've learned more on the subject in the last 10 months than I have over half a century – and it's only jus begun.
From now to 2022, we'll be hearing about The War of Independence, right up to the signing of the Treaty.
Don't know where we are going to find room on our bookshelves!
Jim Carroll