‘Shoneenism’ is alive and well in our politically correct celebrations

We owe a debt of gratitude to Alice Hanratty (Irish Examiner, February 9) for blowing the whistle on the outrageous proposal to add the names of British soldiers to the list of1916 patriots for display in Glasnevin Cemetery.

We will be forgiven for thinking the recent years had cured us of the old ‘shoneensim’. Yet we see now that it is alive and well.

In their rush to be seen as sophisticated and politically correct, those in power have abandoned the roots of the nation. They seem to regard the historical struggles of the Irish people for liberty as a source of embarrassment.

Let me propose the formation of the movement for ‘cringe and apology for pursuing national liberty’.

We could apologise for our ancestors’ ingratitude for the gift of invasion. For example, we could display an apology to Mr Oliver Cromwell, “please forgive us Mr C, that we were so reluctant to give up our liberty and to vacate our lands as you directed. Sorry that we bled all over your nice boots”.

Another regret we could express to the invaders would be that the island of Ireland wasn’t bigger and closer to England for their convenience.

The people of Ireland may have to take responsibility that the smallness of their island may have placed burden on the English to look further afield for lands and goods to expropriate and for peoples to subjugate. Sorry Africa.

Perhaps there is a descendant of Mr Cromwell we could invite to the 1916 commemoration?

Cathleen Stockdale Hegarty

Cobh

Co Cork