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John Bruton Sam Boal
John Bruton reckons Ireland would have become independent without 1916
The former taoiseach said we shouldn’t glorify the Easter Rising.
6.38pm, 18 Dec 2015
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FORMER TAOISEACH JOHN Bruton has claimed that Irish independence would have been achieved without the 1916 Rising, saying the event should not be glorified.
His comments come as the country prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of the Rising next year, with commemorative events beginning in January.
In an interview with UTV Ireland this week, Bruton claimed that independence from the United Kingdom would have been achieved through constitutional means, without the need for violence, albeit not as quickly.
“If we hadn’t had the rebellion, we probably would have proceeded – maybe not quite as quickly – to full independence by constitutional methods,” he said.
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He said the enactment of Home Rule had provided legislative independence and there was, in his view, no need for the war of independence which followed the Rising.
“Looking back at Irish history, Home Rule was enacted two years before the Rising in Dublin and was already on the statute book and was going to come into effect anyway.
So there was probably, in my view, no need at all for the killing that took place between 1916 and 1923.
“Of course we must commemorate and remember the heroism and the sacrifice of the people who rose in 1916,” he said.
But we shouldn’t glorify it. We should remember that most of the things that were really important – the reform of the Land Laws, the achievement of legislative independence – were already achieved without 1916.
In the same interview, the former Fine Gael leader ruled out running for the presidency.
He said “the constraints of that office are quite considerable” and that his present position allows him to say things that are controversial.
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I see what Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) are about. But in reality 90% of people visiting the island don’t walk more than 1km from the cable car. For walkers there is a nice 10km walk on the ridge to the watch tower and then came back via the road.
@John Joseph Barry: I agree 100-percent. Even with twice the foot traffic the island will be fine. The numbers wanting to use it will decrease now that international travel is back. Is and the hill behind are some of the finest walks in the country with views of Bull Rock etc.
Something needs to be done and soon . Protect the sensitive areas and make it an enjoyable tourist experience. Good for all involved and the local economy. The mind numbing wait in a queue on the island side with nothing to do can be up to two hours .
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