We have gained from independence

There has been pain for Irish citizens since independence. 

Greed and stupidity characterised the recent era and all came close enough to being lost. Far too many still suffer: Too many children have to get cornflakes for dinner and miss breakfast at home.Those being thrown out by rack-renters are left desolate. Bankers self-reward as ever — no concept of shame bothers them. Banks are selling repossessed homes in a rising market — lost families forgotten.

From sufferings in direct provision, forced sex-work, human trafficking and still too much in debt, we have some way yet to travel to do credit to those who wrote and delivered the Proclamation and undertook the Rising of 1916. But we have gained from independence.