Would it were as simple as that Jimmy: black and white, right and wrong, us and them: then we would all understand and there would be no problem.                                                      

But think about it: indestructable force, immovable object...                                                         

The Anglo-Norman invasion (1169) was important, the Statutes of Kilkenny (1366)were important, the Plantation of Ulster (1609) was very important, 1641 was important(Portadown Orange people today still carry banners depicting that particuar massacre),which, lest you accuse me of bias, I have already pointed out, there have been many atrociies by both sides for centuries - OK a few examples: Protestant massacres of Catholics in 1641 at Islandmagee, Ballydavy (near Bangor), Lisnagarvey (Lisburn) - you want more? Perhaps a few Catholic massacres of Protestants, just for a change?                                 

Cromwell was important, William of Orange was important, 1798 was important, Robert Emmet was important, Young Ireland was important, Dolly's Brae (Protestant massacre of Catholics in 1849)was important, the "Great Fmine" was important, the Fenians were important, the Land League was important, the loyalist Covenant of 1912 was important, the foundation in 1913 of the old UVF was important, 1916 was important. The death of Sean South in 1957 was important, because somebody wrote a very effective song about it...

It's all known as history. And please, none of that stuff about history being written by winners, it's all there for anyone who can be bothered to study it, preferably with an open mind!

However, it's not the real history that is so influential, but the perception of those happenings, by both sides, and the biased and bigoted propaganda, and downright distortion and lies, again by both sides: both simplistically believing that they are "right".               

I would suggest that the vast majority of the contributors to this Thread are all victims, to a greater or lesser extent, of the events, and songs, of Irish history.