Sir, - Rory Masterson of Tullamore (September 29th) takes Kevin Myers to task over 1916 and its aftermath. While not a fan of Mr Myers, I would like to take his side on this occasion. It is true that almost all Nationalists were disappointed by the 1914 Home Rule Bill, which was much less than had been promised by the Liberal government. However, the vast majority, including my great-uncle, Stephen Hand, a prominent member of the party at that time, conceded that it was the best that could be obtained and went along with Redmond's acceptance of the deal "for the time being". Hence the huge response to the call to fight for "small nations" later that year, and in 1915, 1916 and 1917.
A tiny minority of idealists were unhappy and planned their Easter Rising, which received little support from the Irish population, particularly in Dublin. The subsequent execution of the leaders and the threat of conscription in 1918 turned Irish voters away from the Nationalists into the arms of Sinn Fein. It is also interesting to note that by 1920, in the last all-Ireland local elections, the Nationalists took the majority of seats once again. The arrival of the Auxiliaries and the Black and Tans with their campaign of atrocities was sufficient to re-establish Sinn Fein as the "party of the people" in the 26 counties.
Keven Myers's view may be expressed in extreme terms but it is a valid alternative to the Christian Brothers version of events which was portrayed as the "gospel" until fairly recently. - Yours, etc., Damien Hand,
Mapas Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.