St Patricks day...

My mother was born in Belfast, and her family moved over her when she was 2 years old, a good 19 years before I was born. My father was English (as far as I know) , so that would make me half Irish. At least 50% of my blood is. I've had people tell me that I'm not really Irish, because I was born in England. I've had people tell me I'm not really Irish, because my family come from the North...not 'proper' Irish apparently. Yet, I always feel a strong sense of love for Ireland, and whenever I return, somehow it feels like home.1

Tomorrow, 17th March, is St.Patrick's Day, patron ST. of Ireland. A fairly joyous occasion, where people celebrate, get drunk like 'typical' Irish and have fun. However, for some people tomorrow is a day for remembering. Remembering all the troubles that went on in Ireland, between Protestant and Catholic. On the 17th March, 1977, my Grandad's brother, the best man at his wedding was killed. He was about 33 years old and was killed when his son was present. An un-necessary killing, that caused a young boy to be traumatised for a very long time, and only recently be able to speak about the event. When I go back to Belfast, although I feel like I'm home, the horror of what happened there is all around, derelict buildings and vandalism are a constant reminder. I become overwhelmed with sadness seeing how awful it is, and strange as it may seem, it came as a shock to me, as I don't remember the desperateness of it from my previous times there. It isn't all of Belfast, I'm fully aware, but where I used to consider home, I am now afraid to walk at night. 2

One sad event will stick in my mind for a long time. A memorial for all those that died us located in Ardoyne. My great uncle helped move the cross to there...and then his name was next to go up. It's situated behind a small fence and gate, and there's a plague on the side of a wall with names written upon it. What really upset me was the fact that this little garden area had been left to grow wild. It was full of so much litter that  people had just carelessly tossed over the small fence...and I thought it terrible that the respect these people had for those that had died in un-just causes was so little. So, on the 17th March this year, when you are celebrating St Patrick's day and having fun, please take a moment to remember those that died or were killed and what a waste it was.3