There was considerable controversy this week around the decision of Simon Coveney and Jack Chambers to attend the Northern Ireland Centenary Service in Armagh.
It was, its organisers insisted, not a celebration but rather intended to ‘explore the opportunity to deepen the work of reconciliation in a context of respectful dialogue.’
But whatever about the Centenary of the Northern state, it gives a chance to look back on its Golden Jubilee – and Ulster '71 – with the rather ludicrous slogan “Ulster 71, come and join in the fun.”
Then, as now, the past and the present didn’t quite see eye to eye - and just like this week, the Queen missed it.
Donal Fallon joined Gavan for another episode of hidden histories to discuss.
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