Religion has little to do with the Irish problem, Loyalist or Republican is what the colors denote. As far as the Republic is concerned the island is one country and Irish are Irish, hence the Orange in the tricolor. The religious schism is more of an American take on the situation. I write that with all due respect to loyalists and their position. Northern Ireland and the Republic go to great lengths to share certain responsibilities as they move closer together. Athletes from the north can compete in international meets as Irish representatives. Rory McIlroy being a significant case in point.
We Americans tend to see it as a religious fight and overlook the political. So, from an Irish standpoint the orange on a pipe is as representative of Ireland, as is the green. Many of the revered Republicans, early fighters for one Ireland were, in fact, Northern Protestants.
In the end, it is a pipe and insignificant to the unification question.
We Americans tend to see it as a religious fight and overlook the political. So, from an Irish standpoint the orange on a pipe is as representative of Ireland, as is the green. Many of the revered Republicans, early fighters for one Ireland were, in fact, Northern Protestants.
In the end, it is a pipe and insignificant to the unification question.
