Ireland’s First, Failed Rebellion
While I’m picking on the papers, and the Kansas City Star in particular, I’ll continue.
AP writer Shawn Pogatchnik in his article marking U2’s current series of gigs at Croke Park here in their hometown of Dublin, refers to the 1916 Irish Rebellion as “Ireland’s first, failed rebellion against British rule”.
No, I’m not about to trot through Irish history since the 12th century, but if you want to - and if you’re a journalist referring to Irish history I suggest you should - there are books available on the subject. I recommend Ireland: A History by Robert Kee. Or you could try Wikipedia.
Eolaí gan Fhéile:
Now you’re getting a taste of what I occasionally run up against. For a number of Americans, history only goes back for about 20 years (or the lifetime of whoever you’re dealing with). For some Irish-Americans, Irish history consists of St. Patrick chasing snakes out of Ireland. Period. Or maybe the time they put marshmallow treats in the Lucky Charms.
Just proves there will always be work for me to do, though.