Why has State visit to Britain taken so long?

At last — an official State visit by the Irish head of State to Britain next year. How incredible it is that it has taken almost 100 years for it to happen. The public will want to know why it has taken so long for everybody to bury their pride and get along.

The same question was asked as to why it had taken so long for the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement to be signed.

Why so long for the dreadful people we have in public life to start talking and negotiating?

The official visit by the Irish to the UK could be see an acknowledgement of the war-weariness between the two countries in relation to Northern Ireland — perhaps this is why it has come about.

Both British and Irish governments have had their fill in relation to Northern Ireland.

Dublin may be finally accepting the situation is a lot more complicated than what was previously believed, and that there may never be a constitutional shift.

Media commentators in the south are claiming the timing is now right for such a visit, but failing to mention the century that has passed without any such trip. Perhaps someday we will have no need for awkward and clumsy visits such as this.

There might be an alliance of some kind, without fear, prejudice, or overzealous self-determination.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Co Cork