The British Empire, at the height of its power, was “the empire on which the sun never set”. It commanded 23 percent of the world’s population in 1913. It controlled countries across every continent. Today 14 overseas territories remain under British sovereignty. Following the announcement of Elizabeth’s death, some people flocked to social media to celebrate (Newsweek). Such celebrations happened in Northern Ireland as well. The Irish celebrating Queen’s death has important implications. After Queen Elizabeth’s death, Irish unionists will probably decline. The Queen’s death may increase the tendency of the Protestant youth toward the values of the Europe Union (EU). This would be an excellent opportunity for Sinn Fein.
Irish celebrating Queen’s death
According to Irish Mirror, some customers celebrated the death of the Queen in a Co. Down bar. The bar has vowed to bar those customers from entering its doors for life. Footage emerged online from a bar in Newcastle, Queen’s Bar. The video showed several people in a “packed room celebrating and mocking” the Queen. The event happened in the aftermath of the Queen’s death. A spokesperson for the bar took to social media and condemned the behaviour. He said that Quinn’s Bar became aware of an incident in the bar. He said they would work closely with the PSNI to identify those involved. A spokesperson added: “We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding this behaviour.”
As New York Post says, a video has emerged showing Irish soccer fans mocking the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The soccer fans chanted “Lizzy’s in a box” during a game in Dublin. The simple ditty rang out at Tallaght Stadium just hours after the announcement of the Queen’s death.
Sinn Fein’s reaction to Irish celebrating Queen’s death
As the independent say, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill has appealed for people to be respectful following the death of the Queen. Ms O’Neill commented after being asked about reports of footage on social media. The footage appeared to show a cavalcade of cars and fireworks for apparent celebration following the Queen’s death. According to BreakingNews, O’Neill said: “The British people, people from a unionist identity here, are grieving the Queen’s loss. I think everybody should be very respectful of that.”
Queen Elizabeth II: Figurehead for brutality
The Irish celebrating Queen’s death is rooted in the Queen’s brutality against the Irish. According to Newsweek, people in countries formerly controlled by Britain, such as India, Ireland, Australia and Nigeria, were quick to point out the monarchy’s role in the subjugation of their countries.
While the Queen reigned during a period of much change for the British Empire and the subsequently formed Commonwealth of Nations, many in former colonies consider her a figurehead for the brutality their people suffered. Others brought up the many millions who died under British imperialism. Elsewhere Newsweek adds that Northern Ireland remains a part of the United Kingdom. But the Queen is a divisive symbol. Many consider her a figurehead for the brutality the Irish suffered at the hands of the British for centuries.
Who are unionists, nationalists and republicans?
As National World says, unionists, believe Northern Ireland should remain a part of the UK. They are usually Protestants. Nationalists or republicans believe, on the other hand, that Northern Ireland should become part of a united Ireland. They are mainly Catholic. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), founded by Ian Paisley in 1971, is a unionist political party. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin, founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, is a republican/nationalist party.
Royal family’s decline
The Irish celebrating Queen’s death may signify the Royal family’s decline in Northern Ireland. As the Irish Times says, Queen Elizabeth’s death is an earthquake for Northern Irish unionists. The Royal family’s brand is bound to decline in Northern Ireland following the passing of a beloved figure. Northern Irish unionists have a deep emotional allegiance to Queen Elizabeth. To lose her is just a disaster for unionists. Irish nationalists and republicans are getting more confident.
Protestants favouring European Union
We see religion’s impact in both European integration’s history and contemporary politics. Many journalists have observed that the most enthusiastic proponents of ‘ever closer union have been the predominantly Catholic countries of Europe. But the Protestants of Britain and the Nordic regions are against shifting power towards Brussels (e-ir.info). However, following the Queen’s death, the tendency of the Protestant youth to the values of the Europe Union may increase. Thus Sinn Fein may get an excellent opportunity for success. Sinn Fein will have a better chance of achieving a united Ireland.
As it says in the Atlantic, Zoom out from the noise of the latest Brexit disagreements. The truth is that unionist disruption will one day become inevitable. Irish unity will happen. It’s time for Northern Ireland’s Protestants to talk about it. It’s time for Northern Ireland’s Protestants to prepare for life in a united Ireland.
