Northern Ireland, troops leaving - can I just say

[margoandjerry]

it's amazing.

This issue dominated my growing up years - every day on the news soldiers and civilians were being reported dead. Everyone was on constant IRA bomb alert. My Dad was standing in the street outside the Old Bailey the day the first London bomb went off there in the early 70s. Friends were in Harrods when that bomb went off. We were staying in Brighton when the Grand bombing happened. It was just a constant, constant theme.

We may not have seen the last of it - there's always the chance of a few last renegades - but things seem so different now.

Hats off the people who made it happen.

Hear hear.

Still have memories of the 1974 bombs in Dublin. We were fairly lucky down there and it mainly didn't touch us except for 1974.

To peace, understanding and acceptance of each other.

A HUGE day that I thought would never happen.

I grew up in the 70's in N Ireland and vividly remember the Christmas/New Year TV ads saying "7 years, lets not make it 8" Can't quite believe that its taken 38

I heartily second the 'peace, understanding and acceptance' and will spare a thought today for all those who didn't get to see this momentous occasion.

agree. amazing.

Such an amazing day

Long may it last

God. I remember them arriving! Am glad to have lived long enough to see this.

i wonder how many people are aware that it is britain,s longest running occupation!

eh?

It's not really an occupation - Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. And at least initially the troops went in to protect the Catholics.

DH said that when he came to the mainland to go to University, he couldn't believe there were police cars driving around clearly identified as 'Police' and that cops here didn't carry guns.

turn of phrase dinosaur, grew up in it lived it, still do, n.irish born and bred although father was army throughout.

Glad he made it, nightshade.

I had a lot of family in the police (RUC) and the UDR, not all of whom did .

i'd be interested to know how people view those growing up during this period.

have there been any definite personality traits, attitudes left behind? how do you see your identity?

I'm not interested in talking about the past - I prefer to look to the future with hope and optimism. However I do know that there will come a day when my 3dc will ask questions - I'm not quite sure how I will explain it all - its hard not to feel strongly when friends and family have lost their lives so needlessly.
However I am pleased that things have progressed this far.

Highlander - I was the same as your DH, also found Police stations not surrounded by 15' fences, barbed wire and cameras VERY strange.

Nightshade - interesting ? about identity. Did quite a bit about it at college though that was early 80's.
We were always a bit of an oddball family (in N.Ireland terms)-came from England in 1969 to mainly Protestant town but as weren't church goers were assumed to be Catholic. Gave me quite an independent view of life and thankfully my mum's attitude made us pretty tolerant. Would be curious to hear other views.

I was brought up in Northern Ireland and can't quite believe this ids happening

i remember my mum telling us about sleeping with a shotgun under the bed when we were babies.

we were often targets due to living in the local area and my dad being in the forces.

i think i grew up with the ability to cross many different divides with people, due to our circumstances.

you were taught how to 'read' people and situations, take note of your surroundings.

i think, despite the fact that most people have hated the troubles there is a great sense of nation in n.ireland and a sense of philosophy in 'what will be will be'.