May 31 2015. I went to university far too you—I was 16—but it was still a particularly significant part of my life and I have always been glad I went where I did. All that history provides role models a-plenty.

STRANGE TO SEE MY OLD UNIVERSITY, TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN (FOUNDED BY ELIZABETH I) AS IT WAS C.1900 WHEN THE BRITISH STILL OCCUPIED IRELAND

STRANGER STILL TO SEE MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH BRIGADE OF GUARDS—IN FULL UNIFORM COMPLETE WITH BEARSKINS—IN THE FOREGROUND.

It takes a long time to get over being an occupied country. Ireland was first invaded by the British towards the end of the twelfth century—and did not succeed in driving them out until the early twentieth. That’s a long time to be occupied.

It then took a further three generations for Ireland to find its economic feet—and only a couple of decades before stumbling again.

As matters stand, Ireland appears to be recovering (I’ve had mixed reports). There are lies, damned lies, government statistics—and how people really live.

I guess I’ll have to find out for myself.

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