Baby Pictures / young pictures - I don't have any. I will hit my Mum up for some - and then I'll need to 'electronic them'...then post them....
UK Geopolitics 101.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (UK) England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Irish Geopolitics 101
Eire. The Republic of Ireland.
Eire is predominantly a catholic country
UK is predominantly protestant
Scotland has a strong catholic minority (with Irish roots)
The Troubles
Too long a story. Essentially - like much of the world Ireland was part of the Empire. When Ireland broke free - the War/Rising was finished by a negotiated agreement. (Highly contentious to this day) As part of that agreement - 6 counties were left as part of UK while the rest became independent. This always caused a bit of grief - but flared up big style in the 60s.
The rights and wrongs will be long argued. Tragically many innocents died. This is where the guys collecting in Irish bars in the US came in...collecting for the 'revolution'.
In theory - the troubles have gone away, although they simmer still, and the UK government has said that if a majority in the 6 counties wish to join the Irish Republic they will allow it. (Catholics breed faster than Protestants on the whole) Problem is - not sure the Republic wants them
To confuse things - some Sports are all Ireland. So Rugby for example the Irish team is made of players from both sides of the border. Players with different passports.
Ill save Bakon the trouble..
Crazy Islanders.... :wacko: