Was the change of our police’s title from RUC to PSNI a good thing? Almost certainly. For a start, dozens, even hundreds of people here had suffered at the hands of the RUC, in small and sometimes very big ways. The name-change along with new recruitment arrangements made for a strong indication of fresh beginnings. It stressed that the police are there to serve us, not intimidate us. And it ended the use of an adjective which contained one geographical error (‘Ulster’), and another (‘Royal’) which made clear which side of a divided community the Force was aligned with.
In a recent Irish Times article, Marion McEnroe Higgins points to the several bodies in the south which retain “obsolete royal identities”: the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) (Yes, there are opportunities for mix-up there, Virginia), the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI).
There is a case – not made by the author of the article – that the retention of the ‘Royal’ would be reassuring to northern unionists and encourage them to see a reunited Ireland as a place where they would feel at home. I don’t think it does anything of the sort but the case might be made.
The writer of the article points out that the bodies in question, when founded, sought the recognition of their constitutions from the ruling authority of the day, the British monarchy. Sticking with these titles in an independent republic, she believes,”threatens to perpetuate the optics of Irish academies as elitist, outmoded institutions”.
I can already here the baying of those who, for reasons best known to themselves, revere the Royals. But if a state can’t get around, after a hundred years, to naming its major institutions in line with its history over the last one hundred years, doesn’t that tell us something about the royalty-worshipping residue that continues to play a major role in the south’s life? And doesn’t the plethora of Royal names here in the north, for bridge, halls, streets and buildings reflect a past when this state was overwhelmingly unionist and royalty-worshipping? Will we have to wait another hundred years before the powers-that-be notice how the pattern of loyalties has shifted massively in this sad little northern state?
“And it ended the use of an adjective which contained one geographical error (‘Ulster’), and another (‘Royal’) which made clear which side of a divided community the Force was aligned with.”
Would you support the correcting other geographical errors such as Dail Eireann, RTE, and the name of the southern state itself?
Like to explain to us lesser creatures how these are ‘errors’?
The southern state has jurisdiction over only part of Ireland.
“The southern state has jurisdiction over only part of Ireland”
For now.
I agree with you MT. The 26 county government have hitjacked the name of our island Éire and Ireland. Some people would even have the raw cheek to say that those of us who live north of the border aren’t Irish at all. Did Irish history start 100 years ago?
“I agree with you MT. The 26 county government have hitjacked the name of our island Éire and Ireland. Some people would even have the raw cheek to say that those of us who live north of the border aren’t Irish at all. Did Irish history start 100 years ago?:
We’re in agreement. Is Jude?
Monaghan Court House still has the royal coat of arms high over the door.
Its there as a reminder of our past to the considerable sized old unionist community. I dont mind it all, i couldnt care less.
The pedant in me would like to point out the error in the fourth word of the last paragraph, Jude…
painting a few jeeps like ice cream vans changed nothing.
In ‘The Murder Machine’, Pearse articulates the manner in which willing subjects ‘come around’ to the colonists way of thinking, making slaves of people, to an extent that people no longer realise that they are slaves. We do not have to look too far to spot those who think some chains are even ornamental.
“I can already here the baying of those who…” hardly sets a congenial tone, and is, frankly at least as divisive as the Orange Order has been accused of being on these very pages.
One thinks of pots and kettles.
However, I shall indulge the ire for a moment.
On the question of the RUC:
“The name-change along with new recruitment arrangements made for a strong indication of fresh beginnings.”
Otherwise known as discrimination, rather than merit.
” the ‘Royal’ would be reassuring to northern unionists and encourage them to see a reunited Ireland as a place where they would feel at home.”
Yes, it absolutely would help.
“Sticking with these titles in an independent republic, she believes,”threatens to perpetuate the optics of Irish academies as elitist, outmoded institutions”.”
I’d see it more as a contradiction of the ideals of a Republic. (But that’s the Republic’s problem.)
“royalty-worshipping”
Nonsense. The House of Windsor is little more than a hereditary Presidency.
“that continues to play a major role in the south’s life?”
The more open minded might see it as a continuity of the past.
“And doesn’t the plethora of Royal names here in the north, for bridge, halls, streets and buildings reflect a past when this state was overwhelmingly unionist and royalty-worshipping?”
Nope.
As for this last one, one might almost comment on every phrase, but anyway.
“Will we have to wait another hundred years before the powers-that-be notice how the pattern of loyalties has shifted massively in this sad little northern state?”
Given that the agreement which led to Northern Ireland remaining within the Union only took place about 100 years ago, we haven’t yet waited 100 for this supposed change in loyalties. Furthermore, the “powers-that-be”, have all agreed to the continuing of Northern Ireland’s place within the Union, there is no “massive” shift in loyalties (unless you mean the DUP), and I don’t feel sad at all.
I feel perfectly British and happy.
PF
You make some reasonable points.
I haven’t heard any baying from any quarter about revering royalty, nor have I heard any great outcry demanding these names be changed.
It seems to be a preoccupation of the permanently outraged brigade as far as I can see.
And I am not too sure about how the ‘pattern of loyalties’ has shifted either.
That seems to suggest that the Nationalist population at one time were happy with this royalty worship and now have changed their view.
Where is the evidence for either part of that equation?
Once again it would be helpful if Jude would provide a link to the article in question.
“Nonsense. The House of Windsor is little more than a hereditary Presidency.”
Nonsense.
Wolfe Tone,
My response to the accusation of “royalty-worshipping” at least contained a statement of explanation.
The point is that the British monarchy has no real power, being, in effect, an unelected and non-executive Head of State. The Irish President, likewise, does not have an executive or policy role,
Care to expand on your single word reply?
You might also wish to comment on the Sinn Fein “powers-that-be” who, with the DUP and UUP, have agreed to the continuing of Northern Ireland’s place within the Union.
Bu you might not.
One exception, Esteemed Blogmeister, to the Royal rule of thumb in the Free Southern Stateen is/was the Royal Showband.
Where that wunnerful Waterford ensemble differed from the contemporary Craven A-lickers of the Commentariat is that they opted for ‘Kiss me Quick’ as their signature tune, while the others, if anything, have become even quicker to, erm, ‘Kiss me Gick’ if Hausfrau Saxe-Coburg-Goth as much as essays a jodphurs cough.
Royal in the Leprechaun is Rioga which sounds and looks remarkably similar to Riga, the capital of Latvia. Alas, that is where the similarity begins and ends. It might not do Patvia, aka the FSS any harm in the wide earthly w. if it were to remove its Sron Dhonn long enough from its favourite orifice of insertion and consider that Baltic nation.
Or, as they say, in Harlem: yo ! check it out, bro.
Like Patvia, Latvia ‘enjoyed’ almost 800 years in which they were pre-occcupied by what their squatters might next considers their ‘rights’ over the indigenous rotters.. Germans, Poles, Swedes, Lithuanians and, of course, the Rugged Russian bear in turn made themselves comfortable in the Master-race Bedroom of Latvia while the householder was confined to the kennel.
In all that time, the locals maintained their national identity by speaking their own language and playing their own music. Stubborn Baltic boogers.
Though they did deign to incorporate a few borrowed words of Polish and German into their vocabulary. There was something somewhat appropriate, therefore, about the name of the movement which began in the 1980s and which lead to their declaration of Independence in 1991: The Singing Revolution.
A repeat of the Pete Seeger’s about Riga, one surmises.
There is but one official language in Latvia today – (gulp) Latvian. When, in 2012 a referendum was held on the question of making Russian the second official language, a majority of 74.8 % voted against.
None of your ‘ We’re mad for some Royal rumpy pumpy in Riga, Vlad’
They do order things differ in Riga
For a Cringe Binge are not eaga’
And should Latvia
Ever look at Patvia
‘Close to a nation? -ha!, but no ciga’. ..
“The name-change along with new recruitment arrangements made for a strong indication of fresh beginnings”
It was but 50/50 recruitment was ditched due to pressure by political Unionism. The Chief Constable wants 50/50 recruitment to be brought back in. Despite our society being at least 45% Catholic (2011 Census, 48% Protestant, 7% Other) Catholics only make up 30% of PSNI officers.
“In a recent Irish Times article, Marion McEnroe Higgins points to the several bodies in the south which retain “obsolete royal identities”
I’m surprised they haven’t been renamed decades ago, the question is why haven’t they been renamed? Or maybe a better and more revealing question would be: why have they kept such royal identities?….I understand the people of the south aren’t like the fleggers at Belfast City Hall in 2013, who were more concerned about 1 flag than their Housing/Education/Hospital troubles but I would’ve thought the South would have done away with such prehistoric identities. We’re living in the 21st century, the fact “Royal Families” still exist at all is ridiculous, regardless of which country they reside. I guess the people of the South are like most normal people worldwide and are more concerned about Housing/investment/etc than the name of an education body.
“There is a case – not made by the author of the article – that the retention of the ‘Royal’ would be reassuring to northern unionists and encourage them to see a reunited Ireland as a place where they would feel at home”
That mentality gives credence to the claim that Unionists must see a Union Flag or some other British symbol every 2 minutes to feel “reassured”. Going by the amount of flags on the Shankill Road, its hard to argue against such a claim. Though, the Shankill is hardly representative of all Unionist communities. I’ve been to some places in Bangor and North Down where there wasn’t a Union flag in sight for miles. Such unhealthy obsessive displays tend to come from working class unionist communities, not “Well-to-Do” Unionist areas.
But how does the word “Royal” make Unionists feel “reassured”? Obviously I’m no Unionist, so I’ll let them answer that question themselves if they wish. But why would Unionists need to be “reassured” in a United Ireland anyway? We’re talking about adults here, not children. They don’t need burped or their nappy changed. Unionists should be treated just as any other people are. No better or worse.
“she believes,”threatens to perpetuate the optics of Irish academies as elitist, outmoded institutions”.”
That’s more likely the reason why the Royal Identities have been kept, out of a snobbish desire to appear to be amongst the Elite. I think it was Gregory Campbell that made the argument that “Londonderry” was a better name than “Derry” because it had the name “London” in it. He claimed this was attractive for business and the like but his logic is snobbish. This was when Derry Council last year voted to pursue renaming the city officially back to “Derry”. Of course poor Gregory was constantly on his Facebook page for a week, lamenting the vote…..he still refers to Derry and Strabane Council as: “Londonderry” and Strabane Council lol Indeed, I believe he took offence earlier this year to a Westminster correspondence saying there was no such Council named “Londonderry and Strabane District Council”. He was told that all Councils should be referred to by their proper titles……poor Gregory….
“Will we have to wait another hundred years before the powers-that-be notice how the pattern of loyalties has shifted massively in this sad little northern state?”
I have asked the question before: What are SF/SDLP doing about it? There’s no excuse for such a one sided show of symbolism, especially in Councils which they control. In an ideal world I would support 50/50 British and Irish symbolism in all councils but the Unionists on these councils cant stomach equality, so that’s out. I think SF/SDLP in councils they control should just do their own thing. Unionists do it with the backing of their community, why cant we?
I know people will point to the Union flag coming down in 2012 in Belfast but that’s just one thing. 98% of symbols in Belfast City Hall (remember, a Hall suppose to be open for all) is British. This is in a city which has a bigger Republican population than Unionist, which has more elected Republican councillors than Unionist. Its simply not reflective of the population and needs to change. Stormont is another example.
Is symbolism important? Of course it is. If we want to move our society forward and make it more progressive then we need to make changes.