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Sunday, June 25, 2006 

'Barley' Impressions

Went to see it last night in the company of friends, some foreign. Powerful stuff - a two-hour film that doesn't shirk in showing the harsh realities of both the War of Independence and the Civil War, in stark contrast to the romantic floss that has hitherto defined the genre (Michael Collins, etc.). From the savagery of the British forces to the ruthlessness of the Volunteer response, Loach shows a gritty, authentic portrayal of the birth of this State. Accusations of "pro-IRA bias" (made by the British rightwing and tabloid press) are predictable, entirely false and reflect a continuing misty-eyed version of their Empire days in certain British quarters.

For those who haven't grown up in communities with strong local memories of the period - and those who don't 'get' the bitterness that created the enduring Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael dichotomy that defines Irish politics to this day - this is an essential film to see.

"Libel"-Richard Waghorne
"Attack blog"-Damien Mulley

About me

  • An early-thirties male Irish technologist living and working in Dublin, I'm a former (recovering) member of both Fianna Fáil and the Roman Catholic Church.

    I'm not a member of any political party these days, but my opinions can be broadly categorised as 'lefty' and republican. I am also a former member of the Irish Defence Forces.

    Please feel free to check out the FI Fie Foe Fum group blog, where I was once a regular contributor, and the Cedar Lounge Revolution, where I can usually be found in the comments.

    (This blog and its contents reflect only my own personal opinions as a private citizen, and not those of any other person or organisation.)

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