Flight of the Earls? - good riddance!

Good Riddance I say to the Flight of the Earls, which is to be commemorated by Bertie Ahern in September and he will be announcing details of these ceremonies today.

I don't have any time for the Earls. Just because they were Irish aristocracy as opposed to English we are supposed to have regard for them (because they were different, because they were our own leaders) but like all aristocracy they looked after Number One to the detriment of all others.

It was all very well for them to flee the English rule but all the plebs, i.e. us, were left behind to suffer. The departure of the Earls also opened up the six counties for plantation, the extension of English rule, law and customs to spread throughout our country and we have been living with the consequences of that ever since.

These were the most powerful and rich guardians of the Irish, our culture, language and customs and when the going got tough, they got going.

Good Riddance!

Of course Bertie won't be in government in September to commemorate them either. That of course won't be a flight it will be a rout!