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First Newgrange, then Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Bram Stoker and now Roger Casement. On behalf of all Irish people I thank you, Simon Whistler, for acknowledging us, our achievements and our history.
He is well known in Peru. Mario Vargas Llosa , a Peruvian writer, wrote a novel based on his life. The novel's name is "El Sueño del Celta" . This novel was a huge success in Peru and other countries across the globe due in part to the fact that Mario Vargas Llosa had won the Nobel Prize just a few days before its release.It's worth mentioning the he is the only Peruvian to have won such Prize.
It's a brilliant book and enhanced by love of Roger casement. He is one of Irelands great hero's and one of the first great humanitarians that drove him to abandon his English knighthood and fight for irish freedom.
In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she recieves her old tradition of Nationhood. Ireland, through us summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom
@Big Chungus Big Chungus, General who? He was a fascist. He led his blue shirts to Spain where they did nothing except sitting in a bar drinking wine. Mind you that's the sort of General you want leading you. The only General in history to. Exit a war with more men than he entered with.
“Self government is our right, a thing born to us at birth a thing no more to be doled out to us by another people then the right to feel the sun or smell the flowers or to love our kind.” Roger Casement
And yet here we are again in 2020 ruled by foreign ministers in Europe sold out by a treacherous political class the sacrifice and deeds of our national heroes betrayed.
Roger Casement is an ancestor of mine. Great, great uncle or something. My dad would often speak of this great relative that we had so I grew up knowing his name and story. I was quite surprised when I once mentioned it at school and my history teacher knew all about him. Having grown up in England I had no idea that this man was famous. So nice to see this video, thanks for telling the story. I purchased Mario Vargos Llosa's book yesterday an look forward to reading it.
Thanks Simon great video. One mistake though, the 6 counties of what now is Northern Ireland didn't choose to stay part of the UK. The island was partitioned by Churchill and Lloyd George during the infamous Anglo-Irish treaty.
Charles Stewart Parnell would be great I think Gladstone called him on the most power people in Britain for a time. Huge impact on Ireland for constitutional nationalism, land reform, home rule ect.
Keeping in theme: Hunger striker Bobby Sands, Look into the story of the British Embassy in Tehran. After Bobby Sands died the Iranian Government renamed the street where the British Embassy was to Bobby Sands street, pissing the UK Gov off, Each letter and letter head sent by the embassy had to have the name of Bobby sands written on it. The Embassy was on a corner street so the embassy bricked up the front door and moved the entrance to the other side. There is also a Restaurant down the road called Bobby Sands, they do decent burgers. Cecil Rhodes could be interesting, or his Cairo to Cape Town Railway project 10,500kms of track for your Megaprojects channel.
@@Konoronn Sorry mate I didn't realise I was to write a Thesis about every facet of Iranian society as my comment, this is simply one fact about Iran. If I write something nice about Ireland, like we have lovely mountains, for fairness should I counter it with "oh but what about the Tuam babies" of course not, that would be ridiculous. That's not to deny Iran has huge problems but they also have really nice decent people and amazing culture.
When Roger Casement smuggled guns into Ireland, they hanged him When Edward Carson smuggled guns into Ireland they made him a peer of the house of lords This is British justice
It’s unfortunately all to common, britain will never view their allies or themselves as criminals because if they did more and more would be unfolded and it would surely cause the demise of what’s left of their union.
A bit like "Operation Demetrius" during the troubles in Northern Ireland. Arresting hundreds of innocent people they suspected of being in the IRA with no trial and refused to arrest one person in connection with Loyalist paramilitaries that were planting bombs and shooting people.
It's never seen as a crime if you win. Almost every single government in history has committed atrocities, but they're only persecuted when they lose. But be aware that the actual people who live under these governments, normally have very little responsibility for their government's actions.
A lot like Erkine Childers. Staunch British Unionist to Irish Republican hero after witnessing the atrocities of the camps during the Boer War. His son later became the President of Ireland.
@@anthonylambe6812 Hahah I didn't mate, it and Hurling are massive around this area and I think they're great, but I never really got into them myself tbh.
Completely agree. Bobby sand's name doesn't belong really belong their tho. He helped plan the bombing of the Balmoral Furniture Company which killed 4 innocent people.
@@grahamw2455 I don't agree. Sands is just as important to the history of this country as Connolly, Larkin, Collins etc. Hes a polarising figure for sure but whitewashing history gains us nothing.
Most people probably don’t actually know Connolly was an Irish Scot born and brought up in the Cowgate of Edinburgh (Little Ireland) as it was known at the time, 10 minutes away from myself. Have you heard of the Great John MacLean? He was friends with Connolly and Larkin through his speaking tour in Ireland. He died from the effects of hunger strike after being incarcerated due to his opposition to the First World War (when cancel culture was right wing), a wee biographics episode on him would be splendid
This is my favorite documentary of yours so far! I only recently found out about Roger Casement, and I love the guy. You did him great justice in your very even-handed and informative examination of his life and his legacy.
Quick note, the now northern Irish counties didn't choose to become N.I, the British government held a biased conference which decided that the 6 counties would become N.I, despite 2 of them having big national/Republican majorities.
Northern Ireland choose independence from the free state. Also Fermanagh and Tyrone didn’t have “huge republican” majorities. It was essentially an even split in both.
@@dan-860 they certainly didn't choose. Partition was drawn up by Lloyd George and Churchill. Unionist Edward Carson was livid that the country was partitioned. If remember correctly the 1918 General Election saw Sinn Fein take 70-75% of the votes, the only 2 clear Unionist counties being Down and Antrim.
@@dan-860 How did N.I choose independence? In regards to the majorites, Derry city/had a republican/catholic majority along with South Armagh and parts of Fermanagh. Not to mention the fact that both tyrone electoral districts returned a republican/nationalist TD/MP in 1918. The boundary commission even stated that south Armagh could easily be given to the Republic as it wasn't dependent on Newry and vice versa.
partition wasn’t drawn up by Churchill and Lloyd George, it was done by James Craig. The leader of the Ulster Unionist party. There where clear unionist majorities in 4 counties. The demographics in the city of Londonderry where 50/50. Tyrone’s Unionist politician where concentrated in the cities and towns, making the vote incredibly tight in east Tyrone. While westtyrone was still underpopulated and heavily republican.
Great to see videos of Irish historical figures, a few suggestions for future videos would be Daniel O Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, Michael Collins, Bobby Sands, John Hume and many others. Would love to see more
'On the twenty first of April, good Friday at the dawn. A German boat was seen to float outside of Carrahane. 'With twenty thousand rifles, all ready for to land.' And waiting for a signal from the shores of Banna Strand. A motor-car was dashing through the early morning gloom. A sudden crash, and in the sea, they went to meet their doom Three Irish lads lay dying there, just like their hopes so grand They could not give the signal now from lonely Banna Strand. 'No signal answers from the shore,' Sir Roger sadly said, 'No comrades here to welcome me, alas! they must be dead; But I must do my duty, and at once I mean to land,' So in a boat he pulled ashore to lonely Banna Strand. The German ship was lying there, with rifles in galore. Up came a British ship and spoke, 'No Germans reach the shore; You are our Empire's enemy, and so we bid you stand. No German boot shall e'er pollute the lonely Banna Strand.' As they sailed for Queenstown Harbour, said the Germans: 'We're undone The British have us vanquish'd: man for man and gun for gun. We've twenty thousand rifles here, that never will reach land. We'll sink them all, and bid farewell to lonely Banna Strand.' The R.I.C. were hunting for Sir Roger high and low, They found him at McKenna's Fort, said they: 'You are our foe.' Said he: 'I'm Roger Casement, here upon my native land, I meant to free my countrymen on lonely Banna Strand.' They took Sir Roger prisoner and they sailed for London Town, Where in the Tow'r they laid him, as a traitor to the Crown. Said he, 'I am no traitor,' but his trial he had to stand, for bringing German rifles to lonely Banna Strand. 'Twas in an English prison that they led him to his death. 'I'm dying for my country dear,' he said with his last breath. He's buried in a prison yard, far from his native land And the wild waves sing his Requiem on lonely Banna Strand. They took Sir Roger home again in the year of sixty five And with his comrades of sixteen in peace and tranquil lies His last fond wish it fulfilled for to lay in his native land And the waves will roll in peace again On the lonely Banna Strand. ~The Lonely Banna Strand (This song and Grace, about the 11th hour marriage of Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett right before he was taken out and executed, are my favorite anthems of the Irish struggle)
Roger Casement was one of many Irish people who wanted to see Ireland free from British rule. Now most of Ireland is free and is a prospering republic.
@@grahampowelljr1 late to answer but it’s pretty unlikely, at least for a while, although with Brexit happening it’s more likely now then ever as Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU. Depending on what source you use anywhere from 34% to 51% of Northern Irish want to rejoin Ireland, especially in the Catholic dominated areas. It’s even more likely if a hard border is to go up because people on both sides remember the horrors of border battles. But I would be highly surprised if it where to happen, there is even a group of people here who believe even if Northern Ireland voted to rejoin Ireland we shouldn’t let them back in. Obviously do the majority of people in Ireland want Northern Ireland.
@novax I wasn't saying it will never happen, I was more saying it just won't be in the next few years, as much as it is true unionist are dying off, especially the hard-core bunch, there are still young unionist in Northern Ireland, check out the Oxford debates on that for more info it's pretty interesting
@@grahampowelljr1 No chance at all. All the recent polls suggest even less desire amongst the people of Northern Ireland to be joined with the Republic of Ireland. This includes a sizable number who may be described as Nationalists. The fact is they realise that they are much better off financially in the UK, not least access to free health care, which many in the border counties of the Republic jump the border to take advantage of.
No chronicle of the campaign vs King Leopold is complete w/out a mention of an obscure shipping clerk named ED Morel (not really necessary here of course) as he became a one-man crusade to break the Belgian hold on the Congo basin. He was an interesting guy.
Looking forward to if Frank Ryan ever gets one, Irish Republican, Combatant in the Spanish Civil war against Fascist Franco and later a go between for the IRA and the German Military Intelligence in World War 2
@novax Of course I have but if De Valera and the rest of the anti treaty sinn fein valued the good intentions behind collins supporting the free state treaty and if they valued actual democracy which would had the Dail in favour of the state none of what you mentioned would have been necessary.
How about a video on Edward Carson. The brilliant barrister who not only shredded Oscar Wilde in court, but is often credited as the man who divided Ireland.
RIP Roger Casement, thank you for your service in support of your country, the Republic of Ireland. A martyr of the Cause, murdered by the whim of unspeakable Englishmen who believe they are racially and morally superior to the people whose nations they occupied by brutality. Tiocfaidh a la.
Excellent video, I had forgot quite a bit about Casement. A great man who met a tragic end. It would be fantastic to see you do a video on Michael Collins
Five minutos before I was reading about Hemorrhagic Fever Crimea Congo and 5 clicks after (thank you Wikipedia) found out about this great irish man, Roger Casement. A true hero. As a spanish speaker now I really want to read Mario Vargas Llosa novel "El sueño del celta" (The Dream of the Celt). Based on the life of Sir Roger.
@@drewmack5300 Connolly is a very interesting character, I feel like the education system skims over him a bit too much, his international achievements for the working people are remarkable and his politics aside, he was an extremely courageous man. Let’s hope we get a few more!
The priest who received him into the Church, Fr James McCarroll opined was there no need to pray for him, rather people should pray to him as he could be considered a living saint. Roger Casement sacrificed a successful career and his life, for the freedom of Ireland. Before that he was able through his words curb the savagery of the Belgian Free State. We must remember him.
An honourable account of the man, thanks Simon. The Congo fathers photo is haunting to this day. Whilst Livingston can be exonerated in his curiosity, the regime can't. Reports like Casements are important. xx
Since you mentioned one Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, better known as Joseph Conrad, it would be great to make a video about him too. He had a very interesting life and remains probably the most acclaimed and influential English writer who wasn't a native English-speaker.
Growing up in Scotland there was no reference to Roger Casement he was unheard of I remember a bookshop in Kilkenny on the great man and I had to buy the book. Before the Internet in the 1980s the Great Irishmen were taboo maybe even censored maybe because of the troubles
I’ve always thought he’d make for a phenomenal biopic or Netflix series. A handsome and stylish gay revolutionary who travelled around the world helping oppressed peoples.
Ah, the ‘Irish Language”... such a poetic, sonorous tongue. I believe it was Joyce, who said: “Sean, don’t do it. Don’t do it, ShAHn! Ya gonna get us kicked out the ba’h. Fock’m.” Never has a more beautiful statement been uttered. Truly. Indeed.
Can you do a video on the legendary founder of the United States Navy, John Paul Jones? The US continental navy was outmanned and outgunned by the Royal Navy, yet Jones took his lone ship on the offensive against the British in British home waters, throwing exception to the song Rule Britannia
You should check out The Good Lord Bird series based on John Brown, Just finished watching it. Don't know how accurate it is but still interesting and got good reviews.
I dont think you can say that the 6 counties of Northern Ireland chose to remain part of the Britain Simon. They were subject to partition by the British government in 1921
You should do Robert Emmet, the protestant born land owner whose family were colonial settlers, whom despite this led a rebellion in 1803 against the Act of Union (The Union of Ireland in the UK after the 1798 rebellion). He struck against Dublin Castle, the heart of British rule in Ireland but failed. He was sentenced to death but gave a gallant speech from the dock before the jury that is still famous in Ireland to this day.
In July 2020, a five-page article titled "Who Framed Roger Casement?" by Paul R. Hyde appeared in the Dublin current affairs magazine Village. The article relates for the first time how a retired British naval commander revealed in private conversation that he knew the diaries had been fabricated by Captain Hall, head of Naval Intelligence during World War I. Commander Clipperton's revelation was passed on to president de Valera in January 1966. The article analyses Kevin MacDonnell's report of the conversation and concludes that the revelation by Clipperton leaves no reasonable doubt as to its veracity. "MacDonnell, a man with no interest in and little time for Casement, found himself by chance listening to insider knowledge spontaneously related to him by someone who otherwise admired and esteemed Hall but who decades later still felt that 'this was an evil piece of work'"
The counties in Northern Ireland didn’t choose to remain part of Britain, during the Anglo-Irish treaty talks the British treaty part refused to grant Ireland full independence due to fears of having a fully independent nation so close to Britain and therefore decided that the 6 counties with a mostly Protestant majority would remain part of Britain
Actually Carson and Craig were offered only 4 counties. They wanted all of Historic Ulster the most the Government would consider war the ^ counties which now make up Northern Ireland. And oh yeah the people of Northern Ireland did have their say in the border poll💁♂💁♂
i dont think its right to call roger casement fighting for his country's freedom going to a much darker place. There are very negative connotations in that statement, and that would be completely untrue. The man was a hero and was, and always will be on the right side of history
The treatment of Alan Turing was despicable frankly. Im of the opinion everyone involved in that decision deserves to be Executed by Firing Squad. Anyone who would Condemn someone over Love, In fact.
