“I am not a law-breaker by nature, but I am proud to stand here with 15,000 Derry people who have broken a law which is in disrepute. I invite Mr Craig to arrest the lot of us.” —John Hume, as organiser of Derry Citizens’ Action Committee march in Derry/Londonderry, which successfully defied ban by Northern... Continue Reading →

“Is it not plain common sense that the two existing political communities in our small island should seek every opportunity of working together in practical matters for their mutual and common good?” —Sean Lemass, An Taoiseach, in Dáil, indicating new approach on Northern Ireland, 10/11/1960. Farrel, Brian, Sean Lemass, Gill & Macmillan, 1991, p. 115.

“How can you give somebody who is your enemy a higher position in order to allow him to come to destroy you?” —Basil Brooke (Lord Brookeborough), as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, asked why Catholics did not attain higher positions in Northern Ireland life, 30/10/1968. The Irish Times, 30/10/1968.

“The feeling that [Terence O’Neill] is being blackmailed by thugs who are putting pressure on him is something this House cannot accept.” —Harold Wilson, as UK Prime Minister, in House of Commons, about Unionist opposition to Terence O’Neill’s reform programme, 21/10/1968. Deutsch and Magowan, Northern Ireland, 1968-1973, A Chronology of Events, Vol. 1, Blackstaff Press,... Continue Reading →

“Let there be an end to public statements either in Ireland or abroad about ‘ultimate unification of our country’, the ‘evil or partition’, the ‘six-county area’… Talk will not of itself change things. There is more to the wind of change than hot air.” —Terence O’Neill, as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, in Newcastle on new... Continue Reading →