I woke this morning to the sound of drums. Over in Tullycarnet, the Apprentice Boys and their band were marching in the local area before boarding a bus to travel to the City of Londonderry to celebrate the lifting of the Siege of Derry in 1689. Two hours on a bus for a wee walk, and then two hours home!
Today is also the anniversary of Internment, which was announced by the bonfires last night. As we drove through the Westlink, the smell of smoke was evident from the west of the city, reminders of past days.
For both communities, it seems, the past dictates how things should be conducted now. For the Protestant community, the siege mentality may never have lifted, with leaders being branded a Lundy if there is a hint of a sell-out or surrender. Indeed, in recent times we have seen the DUP, the party most likely to call others a Lundy now being branded Lundies themselves by Jim Allister's Traditional Unionist Voice.
For Northern Ireland, it appears that neither side can 'break faith' with their forefathers, as they contantly recall the struggles of their ancestors. Will this condemn us to further conflict in the future?
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