John Crotty
@itsjohncrotty
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Published author & historian | Travel obsessed, 60+ countries | Irish history | Focus on historiography & both sides | @spikeislandcork book out now
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Joined January 2017
Spike Island is Ireland's historic Island, worthy of UNESCO recognition. Yet most people don't know its rich history, or global significance. Here are 17 short tweets that explain why Ireland's Alcatraz will be known everywhere as a true world wonder... (1)
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@PapaGrande57 1 million %!
Portugal's relationship with Britain: - Never at war - Never colonised - Signed the 1373 Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, the worlds oldest WW2: - Stayed neutral despite Alliance - Gave the Germans material support (more went to the Allies) - Flew their flags at half mast on Hitler's death, based on notions of neutrality Britain today - Love you brother Ireland's relationship with Britain: - Colonised for eight centuries - Could not vote, speak own language, practise own religion - Bled dry of resources, starved & beaten WW2: - Stayed neutral to assert new found independence - Supported the Allies extensively in every way - Zero support to Germany - Made an ill considered 'condolences' visit to German Minister on Hitler's death, based on notions of neutrality Britain - May you be damned for all eternity
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RT @MjScallan: Brilliant piece on Ireland and the relationship with Brittans favourite politician during the emergency. WW 2. A controversi…
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Would Churchill have pulled an ‘Iceland’ and seized the Ports? Also had Hitler not been so obsessed with living space & focused on finishing Britain off before going east, would Ireland have seen Operation Green enacted? Amazing to think the troops on Spike Island didn’t know if they’d be shooting at German or British forces (they used to joke hopefully not the British as they all had mates in the UK forces)
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There was no law against Irish enlistment*. Irish guards were even signing the recommendation papers of would be Allied enlisters until 1941, when the government had to politely ask them to stop because there were so many deserting the Defence Forces this way. There was no British occupation of the 26 countries. Ireland and Britain secretly worked together on joint defence plans * Active Irish Defence Forces members & some key agricultural workers could not leave their roles, obviously, small in the scheme of things
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There was concern that Irish-America would agitate for partition to end after WW2 ended Churchill saw this upsetting British politics and an unnecessary distraction, so took an opportunity presented to him by American Ambassador David Gray How much he truly believed his actions would benefit & were for the British people’s best interests, and how much of it was fuelled by his hated of de Valera and wish to settle old scores, is debatable But your absolutely right, he wasn’t thinking of the norths ‘other’ inhabitants, then or ever. He wasn’t thinking of the north at all, his concern was closer to home
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@AmyJordanBooks @HQstories @HCinIreland Great cover and title Amy, it looks amazing Good luck with it
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From the late 18th century this situation seemed abhorrent to a new generation They had no living memory of its causes but were witness to its cruelties Books like the 'Rights of Man' & American & French Republican efforts were inspirational They wanted liberty & equality (3)
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@SirStevoTimothy We are the only nation to not recover 1840 - present More gone than UK losses in both World Wars combined
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What I think your not understanding is that we did take a look at joining a few times, and the findings were ‘we could do no more if at war’ as we were providing so much ⬇️ The benefits of Irish neutrality were by then becoming obvious, as outlined by MI5. Churchill was lectured by MI5 not to interfere with Irish neutrality, his pet hobby, as they were working with Irish officials to great effect. This only came out in England 23 years ago ⬇️ Your opinions are based on 20th century myths, and late 20th century rebranding of WW2 as a moral war. Which it was in retrospect, but none of the neutral nations should be criticised for their actions 1939 - 1943, and at least in Irelands case joining after that was not the way to help the Allies thanks to MI5ms brilliant spy work
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Not a notion on the subject in evidence Sean. A Wikipedia merchant who thinks Ireland aiding the Allies is somehow equivalent to Spain and Portugal pro-Axis actions? And that some neutral nations were shameful, but somehow America and a handful of others were not, despite taking the exact same stance? Make it make sense! Id say they are a bit lost in this topic so best leave them to catch up
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Its like dealing with a child Jim. He believes nations signed up to fight Hitler, and not for the actual reasons He thinks the dozens of neutral nations were shameful for doing what governments do and look out for their own He also lumps Ireland, who was pro-Allies, in with Spain and Portugal who were Pro-Axis (less so Portugal of course) Misinformed or ill intentioned, Id say both
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@Bonnie_6000 @seankeane77 @robggill Yes, no India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand…. 🙄 Some ally that then claims to have done it all alone, but fortunately you don’t represent the decent and well read majority
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@Bonnie_6000 @seankeane77 @robggill You excuse countries that supported Hitler but want to condemn Ireland who supported & enlisted for those opposed to him Your bias is clear
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