Violence and irrationality were so long and thoroughly cultivated among the Irish, and so perfectly ingrained into their nature, that modern civilization has as yet been unable to extract the virus.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I went further and further back through the centuries to get a sense of perspective but now at least I understand why Irish history evokes such strong passions and emotions.
They believed that Britain was in Ireland defending their own interests, therefore the Irish had the right to use violence to put them out. My argument was that that type of thinking was out of date.
There's a real mischievousness about Irishmen, don't you find?
We come bulletproof in Ireland. We're reared tough, and we fight.
You know, the pessimism which exists now in the Middle East existed in Northern Ireland, but we stayed at it.
I have encountered on this long road an enthusiasm for an Irishness which will be built on recognising again those sources from which spring the best of our reason and curiosity.
Out of Ireland have we come, great hatred, little room, maimed us at the start. I carry from my mother's womb a fanatic heart.
It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody.
Look around at the countries of Europe, and you'll find that practically all of them have pasts that are just as tragic as Ireland's, yet the people seem able to find some creative way at moving into the future.
I think there's something about the Irish experience - that we had to have a sense of humor or die.