The days of unionist dominance have ended
THE DUP is trying to fly with clipped wings, the UUP is trying to run but they can’t even walk, the TUV are stuck in a time warp and are going nowhere, and that’s the political side of unionism, without leadership.
When democracy is working as it should be, to the mindset of some unionists/loyalists that means it’s not working in their favour.
They can use all the worn-out excuses they wish to keep regurgitating, but it is not going to change the reality of 2021 where changing demographics should educate unionists that the old days of dominance over their nationalist/ republican neighbours is over.
The Brexit protocol is not going away, neither is the border in the Irish Sea, and the call for a border poll is well and truly justified as an integral part of the Good Friday Agreement. Unionists such as Jeffrey Donaldson can make claims that they are being marginalised and their concerns not listened to, but they should heed the fact that nationalists/ republicans were trapped in an unwelcoming statelet born out of the most undemocratic pencil line ever drawn on a map. Discrimination was an everyday occurrence for them, and that can’t be swept under the carpet.
In a united Ireland, unionists would have access to the exact same rights as anyone else and that includes people of African, Indian, Brazilian or English descent that live in Ulster, Munster, Connacht, or Leinster.
JAMES WOODS, Gort an Choirce, Dún na nGall.
‘Scaraveen’ story
HEARING my first cuckoo’s call during the week reminded me of a gifted teacher, who had a wonderful way of seamlessly blending his extensive general knowledge into his teaching. When it came to folklore, nature, history and sport, he was without equal. So, while I’ve heard and read many definitions of ‘Scaraveen,’ I have remained loyal to my teacher’s theory.
According to him, ‘Scaraveen’ is an anglicising of the Irish phrase ‘garbh shion na gcuach’, which means ‘the rough weather of the cuckoo’. The phrase was gradually abbreviated to ‘garbh shion’, and, finally, ‘Scaraveen’.
The cuckoo, a solitary bird, more often heard than seen, winters in sub-Saharan Africa and returns north in early spring. The familiar ‘cuck-oo, cuck-oo’ call heralds the beginning of spring when it returns to our shores. As an infamous clutch parasite, the cuckoo lays her eggs in the nests of small songbirds with precision timing.
Once hatched, the cuckoo chicks eject the legitimate occupants and are then fed by the unsuspecting foster parents.
The cuckoo chick is already a true master of deception!
Folklore has it that ‘Scaraveen’ is nature’s way of exacting retribution on the cuckoo for the havoc she causes in the bird world. During the last fortnight in April and the first fortnight in May, mild spring weather sometimes reverts to cold, wet, miserable weather, which is more typical of winter. Unfortunately, we all pay the price for the cuckoo’s misdeeds.
I’m sure Met Éireann can provide a more scientific explanation for ‘Scaraveen’, and, indeed, the much-maligned cuckoo may be an entirely innocent party. But until they do, I’ll stick with my former teacher’s definition and keep wearing my winter woollies!
BILLY RYLE, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Radioactive dangers
THE Japanese government is going to release radioactive water used to cool the damaged Fukushima reactors into the ocean. The water will be ‘cleaned’ of the most dangerous radioactive materials. No, this is not the plot of the latest Godzilla film; it is real life.
The filter system is of course safe, although so was the reactor. Things can go wrong, and a polluted, radioactive ocean would be another disaster. There are so many worries about this and the possible damage to our planet. A better solution must be found. DENNIS FITZGERALD,
Melbourne, Australia.
Let’s work together
OVER the past few weeks, governments across Europe have been playing a confusing game approving and withdrawing the AstraZeneca
vaccine and it has all made for a worrying situation, particularly for the elderly folk next in line for the jabs.
This is a prolonged period of misery and Ireland is finally on course to get the vaccine rollout on track. It will make a massive difference by protecting those most at risk. As deaths and infections fall, economic activity will rise and we will get back on track to having a functioning society.
Until that point all we can do is work together and get as many vaccinated as possible, so needless deaths can be avoided. NOEL HARRINGTON,
Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Young royals must learn
IN the Oprah interview, Meghan Markle said she hadn’t read about the British royal family before meeting Harry. Well, I hope she’s reading about his grandfather’s life now. Real hardship and adversity, real achievements, strength of character and the very definition of a life of service. JOHN VARLEY,
by email. ... ‘EVERYONE has to have a sense of duty,’ said Philip, who certainly did. Shame about Harry. ALAN JACOBS, by email.