I first met Martin McGuinness when I was a youngster and he had his Anthony Eden hat on then. I was climbing lampposts with posters to help Sinn Fein get elected and he was the Education Minister. The time that I most remember of him is when I was behind him at an event when there were protestors outside; Most of the representatives there were looking to quickly avoid the gathered hostile crowd, but I remember Martin grinning and going outside to shake hands with them one by one. By the time he passed by, they went from booing to cheering after he greeted each one amicably. He wasn’t at all intimidated by crowds or political opponents. He had a certain gentlemanly, authoritative charm about him and after that I started suspecting he could get away with ruling to the day he dies.
From humble beginnings in his native Derry to one of the highest offices in this part of Ireland, he has been on what can only be described as quite a journey – which I don’t think he would have predicted could have happened. When I canvassed in the Dublin suburbs for him during the Presidential election, I’ll never forget an older lady telling me on her doorstep that she had voted Fine Gael all her life but would give him her ballot this time round – I asked, with intrigue, why such a change? To which she responded, “You know where you stand with him. And he’s kind of sexy for his age.” And there I thought pensioners were more instinctually reserved..
He was the strongman of republicanism for years; an insurgent General De Gaulle figure who could have very well led a Provisional Government had Britain withdrew. The kind of guy who gets things done. And not one to suffer fools gladly, I think.
But perhaps the most remarkable thing of all was his close personal friendship with Unionist firebrand, the Reverend Ian Paisley. I have a photograph of them laughing in my house and whenever I encounter someone who seems hard to get along with I look at it and think anything is possible with some determination and humour. I suspect they may have had some similarities in ways – two Church-going men deeply rooted in family and ideology, but from opposite traditions in Ireland. And as both asserted, two proud Irishmen.
Likewise, he got on well with Peter Robinson and showed a remarkable degree of courtesy and understanding when the Iris-gate scandal occurred. In fact, his relationship with those two men actually made me like them and recognise they weren’t bad people, however flawed their ideas. It was quite extraordinary that sworn enemies, who would have rose up against one another for decades, could be as pragmatic as such. Again, I suspect it was due to the similar social class interests – they represented working class people and recognised common struggles within both traditions.
When he met the Queen, it wasn’t easy for many people who have been impacted by the actions of British militarism in Ireland and some didn’t like it. But there was a graciousness to it and a respectful chemistry between them – it made me see a human side to her too, as a person, a mother and a grandmother (as well as someone also affected by the legacy of difficult history between our two countries). Both he and her are role models for the sort of close and friendly relationship which will exist between Britain and Ireland following eventual reunification. I know, as others may have experienced, that the sight of it all brought a tear to even the most reserved of eyes. Britain and Ireland personified, faced one another eye to eye, and despite the bloodshed, shook hands as good neighbours.
Whether you like him or loath him, I don’t think anyone could deny that he has tried and tried again to reach out. He knows that you don’t make peace by talking to your friends, you do it by getting on with old enemies. But perhaps the most fitting testimony to that was Ian Paisley Junior’s own remarks on it all, the son of the cleric who once vowed to “Smash Sinn Fein”. It was a very nice gesture and Martin McGuinness turned out to be a greater source of support and friend to the Paisley family than their old party colleagues in ways. When the Big Man himself said, “Martin, we don’t need all these British Ministers coming over here and telling us how to run things”, they embraced that accord.
I wish Martin, his wife and family all the best. I hope he will fully recover from his ill-health and continue to play an active role in Irish national life. He’s seen down more British Prime Ministers and American Presidents than have existed in my lifetime. However, I think his lasting legacy will, put simply, be that of the Patriot. A continuous struggle by a man elected in Ireland, a man of Ireland and a man for Ireland. And I respect that.
Did Donal forget about the period.in Martin’s life when he was a terrorist leader? About half of his life, in fact. Strange to miss out such a chunk.
He knew that you wouldn’t forget to remind us. Do you mean an Irish terrorist as opposed to a British terrorist or were there no British terrorists. Dictionary says someone who causes terror. What’s your definition?
“He knew that you wouldn’t forget to remind us. Do you mean an Irish terrorist as opposed to a British terrorist or were there no British terrorists. Dictionary says someone who causes terror. What’s your definition?”
I’m not sure of the relevance of his nationality. A terrorist is a member of a terrorist organisation, such as, in this case, the PIRA.
His nationality is relevant to both him and me. Was the Udr a terrorist organisation? Or does the “few bad apples” rule apply?
“His nationality is relevant to both him and me”
Why?
“Was the Udr a terrorist organisation? Or does the “few bad apples” rule apply?”
If you mean UDR, of course it wasn’t a terrorist organisation. It was a regiment of the Army.
well, he and I are both Irish in our own country whereas the English terrorists are not even in their own country. If I had met Martin on a lonely road at night I wouldn’t have been afraid but if it was the UDR I would have been filled with fear and loathing – terrorised in fact. Who are you to say that the Irish people were not terrified by the sectarian gunmen of the UDR. They were so bad that they had to be disbanded or as you say assimilated into a makey uppy regiment of the English Army.
“well, he and I are both Irish in our own country whereas the English terrorists are not even in their own country. If I had met Martin on a lonely road at night I wouldn’t have been afraid but if it was the UDR I would have been filled with fear and loathing – terrorised in fact. Who are you to say that the Irish people were not terrified by the sectarian gunmen of the UDR. They were so bad that they had to be disbanded or as you say assimilated into a makey uppy regiment of the English Army”
I still.don’t get how his nationality is relevant. Are you saying that if he wasn’t Irish, Donal.wouldn’t.have omitted his terrorist career from the blog?
“They were so bad that they had to be disbanded’or as you say assimilated into a makey uppy regiment of the English Army.”
The UDR was merged into.the RIR and then the part-time battalions were disbanded because the PIRA and loyalists ended their campaign, so they weren’t needed anymore.
I.never said assimilates.into a makey-uppy regiment of theEnglish Army.
“If you mean UDR, of course it wasn’t a terrorist organisation.”
Have you any evidence to back this up?
His evidence is that it was a regiment of the British army. Surely this is evidence that it was a terrorist gang.
“Both he and her are role models for the sort of close and friendly relationship which will exist between Britain and Ireland following eventual reunification. ”
She wont be around much longer Donal, the next king will be the Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment and we are already at a cross roads between that possible future and the one that is emerging.
I too would like to have seen that cordial relationship blossom between a unified Ireland and the UK, for reconciliation between orange and green to have been possible. I don’t see that on the cards any more, do you?
In fact I am in no doubt now that it simply will not happen that way.
Britain is about to embark in a trade war with the EU and Ireland must fully back the EU and that means choosing sides and dealing with the poorer relationship between these islands than ever before.
Things are going to get a lot worse before they get any better.
It wont be long before we consider ending the common travel agreement between these islands and I would fully support that.
Dónall
Is aitheantas mór a thabhairt tú do and fear iontach Martin McGuinness.
Is é tuillte.
Thank you Donal for that! I never met Martin but I recently buried a dear friend in Coalisland who knew him very well indeed in years gone by. This man was also a true Patriot and some of his deeds are even celebrated in songs by Republicans today. He told me years ago of Martin McGuiness and his impressions of him and his deep respect for the man. He was proud to have been a comrade of his and had a profound respect for his political contributions to Ireland! May the Lord grant McGuiness many happy years yet!
Martin’s legacy for me will be in his helping to fundamentally change the nature of what was an orange state. His contribution to peace and the assistance he provided Adams in bringing republicans to the cusp of power in Dublin is noteworthy and a proud legacy. I hope he wins the Tip peace prize, it would be a fitting recognition of his efforts.
As for his ten years as DFM – I’m sorry but I can’t think of a single laudable achievement. That’s not his fault but given the nature of the office with inbuilt unionist vetoes, power sharing was always destined to fail in delivering equality in the north of Ireland.
I hope SF have learnt this lesson after ten years but I fear we’re in for more of the same in the years ahead.
“As for his ten years as DFM – I’m sorry but I can’t think of a single laudable achievement.”
He has earned the respect and trust of many powerful global leaders and their nations who now look to Sinn Fein as a party that they can do business with. Something which will be very beneficial when they take office in Dublin.
He has proven that republicans are willing to share power, are people who can be reasoned with, who can be trusted in government, who will go the extra mile to pursue peace, but at the same time who have limits.
He has made it difficult for the southern establishment to so blatantly abuse the past as a weapon to curtail Sinn Fein’s political growth in Ireland, in particular towards being in power in Dublin.
He has made the biggest gestures towards reconciliation on this island that have yet to be reciprocated and have put it up to unionism to change.
These are worthy achievements in my eyes and had to be done?
Nobody could have done them better.
“I hope SF have learnt this lesson after ten years but I fear we’re in for more of the same in the years ahead.”
Do you still think Sinn Fein did not expect to meet unionist intransigence Cal?
I believe they did, and they handled it better than most of us could have. Had they not have been so well prepared, that could not have been the case.
I do get that you and many others are unhappy that equality was not reciprocated, that both governments allowed the respect outlined in the GFA to go into the gutter and that nationalists were once again being walked over.
But did Gerry Adams not say this would happen, and that it would break them?
Seems to me that Sinn Fein have been leading the way, showing what should be done, what could be achieved and highlighting to the world just where the real problem in Ireland lies.
I’m sorry, but as I see it, Sinn Fein have been giving the lessons the rest of us are still catching up.
“As for his ten years as DFM – I’m sorry but I can’t think of a single laudable achievement. That’s not his fault but given the nature of the office with inbuilt unionist vetoes, power sharing was always destined to fail in delivering equality in the north of Ireland.”
You do realise there are also inbuilt nationalist vetoes? And that we already have equality in Northern Ireland (can’t speak for Donegal).
“And that we already have equality in Northern Ireland ”
You really are only here to wind us up aren’t you?
MT Vessels make most noise, usually snidely.
gendjinn
That’s a good one. well done.
Unfair on MT in my view though as he consistently explores peoples comments through a form of Socratic Method.
Call it what you want, Socratic or anything else, but to state for whatever reason that MxGuinness achieved nothing is plain blind lies! He changed EVERYTHING in politics in Ireland, North and South. He will go down in history as perhaps the greatest Irishman of the period and we all owe him a huge debt!
Both Martin and Gerry Adams
“Call it what you want, Socratic or anything else, but to state for whatever reason that MxGuinness achieved nothing is plain blind lies!”
Who stated this?
“He changed EVERYTHING in politics in Ireland, North and South.”
That’s quite a statement. Rather an exaggeration.
“He will go down in history as perhaps the greatest Irishman of the period and we all owe him a huge debt!.”
I rather think those (the majority) of Irishmen who opposed terror and supported peace will be better regarded in history.
It won’t say much for Ireland or Irishmen if someone who disregarded the wil of his fellow Irishmen and led a criminal gang thst.murdered thousands of his fellow Irishmen, is regarded as.the greatest Irishman of the period.
Criminal? You are seriously delusional! He and his comrades fought with honor and decency which is a lot more than can be said for your thugs in British uniforms over the centuries! Who do you propose will be remembered better than McGuinness and Adams? Gerry Fitt? John Bruton? Name me one man who has worked diligent for 40 years, putting his own life on the line for the betterment of his country!
Go back to whatever hovel you crawled out of!
“Criminal?”
Yes.
“You are seriously delusional!”
How? If you think the PIRA and its activities were lawful, then you’re delusional. Did you never wonder why so many were in gaol?
“He and his comrades fought with honor and decency which is a lot more than can be said for your thugs in British uniforms over the centuries!”
I don’t think planting bombs in pubs and shops, kneecapping children and strapping someone to a homicide-bomb car can be described as either honourable or decent.
I don’t have any thugs, in British uniforms or any other attire.
“Who do you propose will be remembered better than McGuinness and Adams? Gerry Fitt? John Bruton? Name me one man who has worked diligent for 40 years, putting his own life on the line for the betterment of his country!”
John Hume is the obvious candidate.
“Go back to whatever hovel you crawled out of!”
I’ve never been in a hovel so it’s not possible for me to return to one. It’s noteworthy, however, that you have quickly resorted to personal abuse: a sure sign that you know your views are indefensible.
gio,
the Socratic method does not include snideness, sarcasm, total ignorance and an unyielding refusal to learn anything.
In fact, that is the very opposite.
MT is what he is, an unsophisticated, bile-infused, rabidly anti-Irish bigot. Around here we shorten that to Unionist to save typing 🙂
Gio is a unionist so he probably doesn’t notice the way the rest of us do
Very good and so true. Always nice to save on the ink!
Jessica,
you are just as bad as they are. YOU are the problem I have always had with any form of nationalism.
Once we achieve re-unification I will be your most implacable enemy.
Please explain how SHE is the problem?? You are obviously already an implacable enemy
Who is this ‘we’ you refer to that you believe will achieve re-unification?
And on what terms do you expect re-unification to take that you wish to make my ideas of nationalism your enemy?
I would be very interested to hear more of your thoughts on this gendjinn?
Jessica,
Wilhelm Reich, Limbic Resonance for starters.
I am a socialist and you (from your writings) are a neoliberal capitalist. That’s worse than being a Unionist.
I am definitely a capitalist,
I believe in free markets and the importance of home and land ownership as well as the entitlement to take control of my own economic destiny rather than rely on state hand-outs.
I have worked hard all my life, never once been unemployed and have had to work below the minimum wage in less than pleasant environments to do this, but over the years I paid for my own education, I studied through the open university in evenings while working with no financial support, I earned a degree and gradually worked my way up into better jobs, eventually becoming a technical consultant working for public sectors all parts of both islands before starting up on my own and I now have a few companies of my own which employee a happy workforce who are better treated than I was.
A neo liberalist however I am not.
My own ideology and political views would be left of centre occasionally when needed moving to the left to balance things out.
I am abhorred that the state has not invested sooner in social housing, it would have been obvious not only for the need, but to counter the risk of US repatriation of capital assets which will take revenue away from local business which such investment would shore up to ensure domestic business continues to thrive.
I believe in investing in people and you can only do that when a country is successful and making money. I am against debt unless there is a business case for growth and it will not be passed on to future generations which us what has been happening in Ireland.
I would be totally opposed to the far left and state assuming too much control of society. States run businesses poorly, are not cost effective, very much not value for money and compared to private sector, services are barely fit or purpose.
I have news for you, Ireland is a right of centre country and while my political views stand a good chance of gaining the popular support to achieve unification in a new Ireland, socialism will simply never take hold in Ireland. It not only has zero chance but would ruin our economy and result in mass emigration of our people who I would rather encourage back to Ireland through strong economic growth.
Tell me how you see socialism paying for unification, and how you would grow our economy.
In fact where would you find the money to buy up all of the communities assets and businesses, or would you simply take them in some sort of military style confiscation?
Please tell me more of your socialist ideals as I fail to understand how this would work.
Capitalism has failed. Climate change is the proof of that.
Are you familiar with what happened in Nicaragua in the 80s after the dictator Somoza was kicked out? How has Cuba fared compared to Haiti or Jamaica or Mexico since 1959?
You really need to stop reading about the poorest countries in the world.
Ireland is a relatively wealthy country with the potential to be one of the wealthiest nations on the planet.
Our standard of living is quite high, while I moan a lot about our failures to invest in our people and too much selling off our assets to multi nationals, Ireland is indeed a success story and this is in many ways thanks to the EU and access to free markets or trade deals it has negotiated which have been good for Ireland.
Our ability to attract FDI is a result of our access to the single market and it has transformed our standard of living.
All of this would not be possible without the support of private business and capitalism is what is driving Irelands economy.
Our people will not unite to make Ireland nose dive to becoming the Cuba of Europe.
Ireland could be doing more to not only reduce our own carbon footprint by investing not only on making Ireland 100% self sufficient in renewable energy but by exporting the technology all over the world. Did you see the huge turbines they built in harland and wolff?
Irelands huge debt was money extremely poorly invested or even squandered to top up pension funds, bail out bankers and line the pockets of Fianna Fail and their financial backers. With better leadership we could have done so much more, but Marxism is a failed ideology.
Give me one example where Marxism has been a success and that Ireland should follow?
What was accomplished over the ten years was to demonstrate to those opposed to reunification what can be expected when that ultimately occurs. Fairness to all, equality, parity of esteem, joining together for a better place to live .
If Martin , a most fervent republican , can comport himself in that manner then certainly his example should allay any fears of retribution for 800 years of misrule.
Anything wrong with that MT?