James Connolly describes the 12th July

Born in Edinburgh of Irish Parents, James Connolly was a one-time British soldier turned Irish revolutionary leader who headed the Easter Rising of 1916. Connolly wrote 'July the 12th', published in Forward on July 12 1913, where he described his visit to a 12th July march:

"As this Saturday is the 12th of July, and as I am supposed to be writing about the North of Ireland in particular, it becomes imperative that I say something about this great and glorious festival. 

Why we are the way we are in Northern Ireland

I think the video above captures better than any words could, why Northern Ireland remains so unstable.

Vice correspondent asks some kids on the outskirts of Belfast:

“For all the Americans out there, what’s the celebration? Why are you doing it?”

The children respond:

Children (whole): ……………………… silence*
Child 1: “I dono [sic].” children laugh*
Child 2: “Battle of the Boyne and all that action there…”
Child 3: “Bit of fun”.

I explored the video and the surrounding issues further on eamonnmallie.com. You can read that essay here.