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Spud Murphy's avatar

It is of no consequence if he was homosexual, or not, though the Black Diaries may be forgeries. This was already tried by British authorities in case of Parnell, the Pigott Forgeries.

He was a man of true, not ephemeral, greatness.

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Gearóid's avatar

Terrific discussion!

One of the many legacies of Casement is of course Casement Park in which is the GAA stadium in Belfast. Like a lot of things it has become a symbol of political paralysis in Ulster. It was earmarked for redevelopment along with the soccer & rugby stadiums. Both of those (let's be honest orange stadiums) have had their redevelopments completed, while the GAA stadium lies overgrown with weeds and decay and hasn't been played on since 2013. Through this his name at least remains mentioned quite frequently in political and sports discussions.

Interestingly it was named Casement park in 1953. Why a stadium in Belfast was named after Casement is curious, also what his reputation was at that moment in time in Ireland.

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Matt Dube's avatar

What's the best overview book for the Easter uprising for the neophyte?

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Matt Dube's avatar

There are a lot parallels between Ireland and Quebec but I'm pretty ignorant about Ireland unfortunately.

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Angela Nagle's avatar

Try Easter 1916: The Irish Rebellion by Tim Pat Coogan

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Robert Monks's avatar

Roger Casement was/ is a fascinating man. I didn't know anything about Roger Casement and the Irish Rebellion. Ignorant about major areas of history. Casement wrote about racism and colonial injustice in the Congo? in the early 2oth century.It seems to me that he had a searching intellect (Conrad was impressed by him) as well as someone who had gone out into the world and seen things for himself. A scholastic side still integral to him. A good combination.

He also had a strong sense of justice (not the modern performative style, usually superficial)

including justice for Irish. He was clearly about action but his words resonate.

I'm an old gay man and I did find it interesting that he was gay. However, as mentioned on your podcast it may have overshadowed much more important things about him as an individual. There was a cruelty in the way he was targeted and vile that he was executed or his integrity.

The fact that he had a few flaws only increases him in my estimation. Aren't the totally pious, put on a pedestal by the work, a bit dull and dry at times?

It's good to have an informed discussion of an undervalued man. An important historical figure.

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Robert Monks's avatar

typing error put on a pedestal by the woke. he was executed for his integrity.

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