The Irish and the British are now closer than ever, according to research published today.
Confidence in Ireland's ability to pack its own punch in international politics and an increased sense of familiarity with life over the water have brought the improvement, says 'Through Irish Eyes', a report commissioned by the British Council of Ireland and the British Embassy in Dublin.
With 76 per cent of those surveyed broadly favourable in their attitudes towards the UK, the report throws up a "curious mixture of old animosity and real closeness of culture and experience."
British ambassador Mr Stewart Eldon said all parties were determined to bring the two countries even closer together.
"Britain's relationship with Ireland is very important to us and it is vital that we know what people think of us and why they hold that view," he said as the report was launched in Dublin.
Despite the positive conclusions, some topics such as superior attitudes, programmes like Big Brother, Margaret Thatcher and Sellafield still count against the UK's image in Ireland, the report found.
Some 40 per cent of the Irish feel the British are not committed Europeans and more than three-quarters believe the UK punches above its weight on the international stage.
The UK is thought to be evenly positioned between the US and Europe but most believe Ireland has closer ties with America, socially, culturally and economically.
There is a striking empathy with the Scots and the Welsh who many see as fellow sufferers of English colonialism.
Although there is a huge following for English football clubs, when it comes to the national team only a loss will have many Irish fans cheering.
Over 70 per cent of the Irish believe there are still significant race relations problems in the UK while there is also a sense that its increasing multi-culturalism will inevitable be exported to Ireland.
A united Ireland is the favoured concept for almost 70 per cent but only 36 per cent believe this will actually be achieved.
Former taoiseach Mr Garrett Fitzgerald said he was pleased the relationship between Britain and Ireland had "improved remarkably" in the past 30 years and said the report's findings were confirmation of his own views.
"The whole attitude towards Britain and Ireland has changed greatly as the peace process in the north and relations with the British government have evolved," he said.
"New generations have none of the hang ups about Ireland that some of their predecessors had.
"And of course we ourselves feel more self-confident. Within the EU we have a feeling we have done rather better than the British have and we have less hang ups than we used to have."
Mr Tony Reilly, director of the British Council of Ireland, said although he had expected to see a shift in attitudes, the favourable results were more overwhelming than anticipated.
"Some of the historical baggage and political irritants are now less on the radar so we were able to take advantage of those factors as well as the common ground that exists between the two countries," he said.
"Even the area of sport, where there is definitely a love/hate relationship, is veering towards less animosity."
PA