The Mick Clifford Podcast: How the Boundary Commission shaped history and resentment
But what was it all about? Could it have been any different? Did the border actually beget evil?
Cormac Moore has written a fascinating account of the Boundary Commission, entitled The Root of All Evil.
Cormac is this week's guest on the podcast.
The Root of all Evil: The Irish Boundary Commission Cormac Moore
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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
The Root of All Evil by Cormac Moore: An insightful guide to how the Border came to be where it is
The Root of All Evil: The Irish Boundary Commission Author : Cormac Moore ISBN-13 : 978-1788551779 Publisher : Irish Academic Press Guideline Price : €19.99 Arriving from Belfast at my in-laws' house in Warrenpoint, overlooking Carlingford Lough and therefore the Border, I invariably receive a text message saying: 'welcome to Ireland' (a bizarre experience to northerners who thought they had been there all along). Sometimes a second message appears, a moment later, welcoming me back to the UK. These messages from mobile providers usually have exclamation marks and other excitable punctuation to alert travellers to changes in contractual terms as a result of a border drawn quickly and often arbitrarily a century ago. Understanding why the Border exists has generated a universe of narrative history covering the Ulster Plantation onwards, but as Cormac Moore's crisp and insightful new book The Root of All Evil shows, understanding how diplomatic manoeuvring and bureaucratic inertia created and sustained the Border is essential too. The Boundary Commission is a critical part of that story. The commission has its centenary this year, and it is oddly fitting that it will pass with minimal commemoration. It was an anticlimactic coda to a revolutionary decade. But it was supposed to be a big deal, and was certainly understood as being so by the signatories who agreed its fatally vague terms in article 12 of the 1921 Treaty. READ MORE The principle of 'temporary exclusion' from Home Rule for Ulster was conceded by John Redmond before the first World War. Fast forward through revolution and the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 later created two devolved entities: Northern and Southern Ireland. By the time of the Treaty talks only the first of these was functioning per the terms of the Act, with James Craig ensconced as prime minister and determined to turn Northern Ireland into 'a new impregnable pale'. But the treaty talks were not just between the imperial British government and the 26 counties, but all of Ireland – represented by the plenipotentiaries of the provisional government. Knowing the North would be an area of contention, the British split the Sinn Féin delegation by seeking secret agreement from Arthur Griffith (technically the lead Irish participant) that his delegation would, if pressed, accept continued exclusion of the six counties on the basis that a commission would be appointed to determine the wishes of local inhabitants and adjust the Border. The Machiavellian Lloyd George appears to have given private assurances (or intimations) to Griffith that the commission would transfer vast swathes of the nationalist North, and at a minimum Tyrone and Fermanagh, into the South. These assurances were either lies or artfully constructed so as to be overinterpreted. However, it was not Griffith alone, but the entire Irish delegation who agreed the obviously flawed (from a nationalist perspective) article 12, which qualified the commitment to local wishes being respected by adding the crucial words: 'so far as may be compatible with economic and geographic conditions'. Moore's book expertly explains how these 11 words served to 'nullify' the entire claimed purpose of the commission – to respect the wishes of local inhabitants. The maximum claim prepared by the Free State officials in the North Eastern Boundary Bureau would have moved the Border as far north as my hometown of Downpatrick in east Down. Not only did that not happen, but no major areas of Tyrone or Fermanagh were transferred, nor were Derry or Newry. As Moore's book shows, the fallout from the commission reinforced the Border rather than adjusting or undermining it. And if Griffith gets blamed for his naivety, it pales when set against the 'appalling ineptitude' of Eoin MacNeill , the Free State appointee to the commission. Of the three-man commission, MacNeill was working alongside a South African judge, ostensibly impartial but in reality steeped in imperial influence, and Joseph Fisher, Belfast publisher of the unionist Northern Whig newspaper. [ Micheál Martin talks about Cormac Moore's book The Root of All Evil Opens in new window ] Whereas Fisher constantly and strategically leaked inner deliberations of the commission to the unionist government and ultimately the press, MacNeill treated his role with chaste propriety, believing himself not to be 'a representative of a Government nor ... an advocate for a particular point of view'. In fact, MacNeill was literally a representative of the Free State government, and was chosen because his northern nationalist background would better enable him to articulate their views. His failure to competently perform either of these tasks culminated in his agreeing a boundary with minimal changes, and then resigning in ignominy when the recommendations were leaked to a newspaper to the humiliation of WT Cosgrave's government. The report itself then was buried for half a century. Moore's book succeeds because he tells a story that is both very particular, with close reading of archive material and chronological detail but also, to use the cliche, mindful of the big picture. It wasn't just the mistakes of Griffith or MacNeill, or the canniness of Lloyd George, or the obduracy of Craig, that shaped the Boundary Commission. It was 'facts on the ground', including the construction of Silent Valley reservoir in the Mournes as a source of Belfast's water, and therefore an 'economic circumstance' allowing the wishes of south Down residents to move into the Free State to be overridden. But there was also the erection of customs posts by a Free State government desperate to demonstrate its newly won fiscal independence, and in doing so 'unwittingly aiding' the unionist northern government in creating a sense of permanency around the Border. As we consider the future of the Border in Ireland, and indeed an Ireland without a border, this book is a useful guide to some of how we got here and how we might avoid some of the same mistakes again.
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
In demand Kneecap to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York following Hungary ban
The controversial Belfast-based rap trio will join the list of major stars who have appeared at the city's prestigious The Rooftop at Pier 17 venue in October Kneecap are set to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York later this year in the wake of their ban on performing in Hungary. The controversial Belfast-based rap trio will join the list of major stars who have appeared at the city's prestigious The Rooftop at Pier 17 venue on October 1 and 10. Described as New York City's most scenic concert venue, with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Empire State Building, The Rooftop has played host to Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Tate McRae, and the Fugees, whose first reunited performance in over 15 years took place there in 2021. They have also announced another European show in September at the Gasometer in Vienna. The group, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11. . News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29 Kneecap said 'there is no legal basis' for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at the music festival. However, Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the group's 'members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. In a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as 'political distraction' and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions. A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as 'unnecessary and regrettable'. 'Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution,' she added. The statement from Kneecap said: 'To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you. 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'. 'Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it. 'It's clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.' Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall. They claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The statement posted earlier on Thursday by Mr Kovacs said: 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. 'If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' The spokeswoman for Sziget Festival said: 'Following concerns raised by government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget's values or Hungarian law. 'Over the past 30 years, Sziget has served as a free and safe place for different cultures, hosting artists and visitors from around the world, earning significant recognition in the international community and enhancing Hungary's reputation. 'We fear that the government's decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide.' Kneecap – comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and 'Kill your local MP'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
The Irish Sun
24-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Fury as brazen asylum seekers filmed shoplifting designer gear worth thousands before returning to hotel YOU pay for
ASYLUM seekers staying in taxpayer-funded hotels are swiping thousands of pounds of designer gear from top stores. Tipped off by a security firm, we saw organised gangs exit Liberty in London with alarm-dodging bags of luxury items. Advertisement 7 Asylum seekers were caught on video leaving their taxpayer-funded hotels to raid 15 stores in five hours Credit: Ian Whittaker 7 Cap-wearing thief inside the central London Reiss store Credit: Ian Whittaker 7 The same man with jeans shorts in John Lewis on Oxford Street Credit: Ian Whittaker They pounced at stores including Liberty, Polo Ralph Lauren and John Lewis — then headed back to their Holiday Inn home. The Sun was alerted to the situation by exasperated security staff who feel powerless to stop the brazen thefts. A whistle-blower said 70 per cent of The man, who works in private security, said his teams are at breaking point and the area 'verging on lawless'. Advertisement READ MORE ON MIGRANT HOTELS He added: 'The police rarely attend and the maximum we can hold them for is four hours — after that we just have to let them go. We see the same faces again and again.' Shadow Justice Secretary 'The small boats are fuelling crime and making the public less safe. It's a national security emergency and Last Thursday we saw a team of two migrants meet up at the Holiday Inn, Wembley. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest They carried bags lined with tin foil that stop security tags going off when leaving stores. After jumping Underground ticket barriers they headed to Bond Street station before hitting 15 nearby shops including Lillywhites, Hollister and Reiss. Police swarm 4-star London hotel set to house asylum seekers as furious protesters gather outside Later they met other teams and showed their ill-gotten gains. They also appeared to take stolen goods to a middle man before buying whisky and returning to the hotel. Advertisement It is believed many migrants shoplift to pay debts they owe bosses behind the crossings. Our whistle-blower said that, when detained, the migrants show ID cards and admit they are The security professional added: 'The situation is getting out of control. We are helpless and cannot tackle the sheer numbers flooding the streets. 'I honestly think the area is verging on lawless. The police only turn up in two out of every ten men we detain. Advertisement 'They don't have the resources, and when they do, the most they do is give them a Community Resolution Order. 7 Our investigators watched as gangs used professional tactics to raid shops in the West End Credit: Ian Whittaker 7 Migrants stroll through Soho with bag carrying their stolen goods Credit: Ian Whittaker 'For me and my team, the men are easy to spot because they constantly reoffend. Advertisement 'Once we do detain them, that just means their mates are even busier. They are often violent as well. We print the prices for the stolen items and take mugshots and their ID cards to give to the police. 'Usually it is high-ticket goods they target like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. 'Sometimes they won't have any ID but they tell us they came over on the boats and their address is the Holiday Inn or the Barbican.' The whistle-blower added of the alarm-dodging foil bags: 'They know what they are doing. They work in groups or pairs. One will be a spotter or cause a distraction while the other bags the stuff. Advertisement 'We've noticed them sharing the same foil bag. So it is swapped around at the hotel depending who is going out on the rob that day. They always come after lunch, so 2pm.' The Holiday Inn in Wembley is home to 700 immigrants and is one of more than 200 asylum hotels around Britain. Residents get three meals a day and a weekly allowance. Ex-Tory security minister Sir John Hayes said: 'This very important investigation by The Sun shows Britain is importing criminals in droves. Advertisement 'It's not fair to taxpayers or businesses to endure criminals who fully know they're here illegally then worsen that by committing further crimes. 'There is evidence here that this may be a very well organised crimewave, rather than sporadic cases by individuals. 'The Home Office must investigate immediately.' The Met said: 'Our proactive patrols and activity solved 163 per cent more shoplifting cases this year than last.' Advertisement Holiday Inn was approached for comment. Liberty, John Lewis and New West End Company which represents shops all declined to comment. 7 We saw a team of two migrants gather at the Holiday Inn, Wembley Credit: Ray Collins 7 Thieves pounced at stores including Liberty Credit: Getty Advertisement
