I do learn quite a lot, WLD, and have on one topic changed my stance. I used to be of the opinion that the publication of some Irish rebel songs was quite insulting and hurtful to the British peoples in general and not appropriate when attrocities were still happening on both sides of the fence. I have, though discourse and listening to some of the good representatives of the Nationalist cause, tempered that view.

Although some of the songs do refer to cowardly Brits and bastard Brits and so on they are only reflecting a strong feeling and are a good record of what went on at the time. Moreover, having visited Ireland and listened to these songs on their own ground, so to speak, I now know there is nothiong personal in it. They are the songs of people fighting against oppresion and in war feelings do run high.

Like ard mhachas feelings that the British Army are the scum of the earth, which brought me here in the first place. I can understand that feeling but, though a flaw in my own personality, I feel obliged to point out that I do not believe that to be true. No more than I believe a gun or a knife is inherantly evil. It is the wielder of the tool that is at fault. Not the tool itself. The army is a tool of the government. A good army and good soldiers do whatever their masters tell them. These soldiers did what they were told so rather than being the scum of the earth I feel they were particulary good soldiers. If there is evidence that some of these were working outside their brief then fair enough, they were indeed bad soldiers. I am sure that every barrel has one or two bad apples but I still that that the bald statement about the 'Army' being scum needs lots of qualification!

I don't think I have any more to add to this thread, apart from to say I am looking forward to seeing the film. And, to Divis, I will keep you posted as to my progress with my Grandads post military record. Thanks again.

Cheers

DtG