For 2 Islands so close it’s unbelievable the general misgivings on who did what to whom – when – and whose fault it really was. Having British people accept the fact that the Irish Republican Army is to Ireland what the British Army is to Britain. I would love to share the TRUE Tale with regards to relationships between Ireland and Britain – another time perhaps.

The joint visit to Liverpool this week by the Prince of Wales – the future King – and President Michael D Higgins is a vital. It offers us, yet again, a reminder of the progress on relationships Ireland and Britain have forged through the years.

The 2011 visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth – made possible by many incremental developments down through the years, not least of them the Good Friday Agreement – was genuinely, truly transformative.

Full Story By BERNARD PURCELL