Nothing gives the flavour of popular concerns better than the letters column of the local paper. In this case the Down Recorder published in the local county town of Downpatrick. And one constant controversy in Norn Iron is marches-particularily 'Loyalist' ones and especially those who insist on exercising their 'ancient rights' of parading in their finery-sashes, suits and bowler hats through nationalist areas. Triumphalist reaffirmations of being top dogs in a divided society celebrating battles long ago. A recent march in Ballynahinch revived all these passions. The letter published below is just one in a letter column stuffed full of irate communications finely divided between pro matches-the Orange men and the antis-the Nationalists. This one at least seeks to find common ground-not easy in Norn Iron
SIR, — Earlier this year, Newcastle had two additional opposing, and opposed, flag waving parades. This month, Loyalists carrying flags came to Ballynahinch. A handful of Sinn Fein people carrying posters also came to oppose them.Such activity does nothing to defend the Union or promote Irish unity. It has quite the opposite effect. It also harms the commercial interests of towns and damages relationships between residents. Ignoring such consequences, it deliberately increases sectarian tensions — to suit the electoral purposes of Sinn Fein and DUP.Two hundred years ago, Presbyterian leaders in Ireland sought to overthrow English rule and establish self-government. To this end they formed the United Irishmen, with an idealistic aim of uniting Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter.The enterprise ended in disastrous military defeat, with increased distrust between Protestants and Catholics. On the night before the 1798 battle of Ballynahinch, the South Down Catholic militia deserted Betsy Gray. They went home, leaving her and the Protestant insurgents to their fate. To some, cowardly treachery. To others realistic prudence, considering the superiority of English forces sent against poorly equipped and badly organised rebels.In the past 30 years, fratricidal murder and violence by the IRA and Loyalists caused even greater distrust and division. Sinn Fein has done absolutely nothing to unite Ballynahinch people in any common purpose whatsoever. Instead they constantly try to provoke conflict.About five years ago, under leadership of Aidan Carlin and Francie Branniff, they formed a local Sinn Fein branch and dishonoured Betsy Gray’s memory by naming it after her. Absurdly they now attack the Regeneration Committee. Unlike Sinn Fein, this cross community group, while scrupulously avoiding party politics, is successfully promoting the overall interests of Ballynahinch, and, moreover, doing it by following Betsy Gray’s aim of uniting Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter in common purpose.By totally ignoring both flag and poster carrying brigades, Ballynahinch residents also clearly demonstrated their choice — and their choice should be respected.Yours etc.,(Name with held by Huttonian-but clearly written by a Catholic if the name is anything to go by-as it normally is around here!)
