Comment by Kelly O'Rourke on October 15, 2013 at 7:53am

A few nuances lost (especially regarding the Hunger), but I guess that is understandable when trying to encapsulate a nations history in 5 minutes.

Comment by Bit Devine on October 15, 2013 at 12:55pm

I still wish that they wouldn't focus on the Potato as the reason for the Great Hunger...It was only a small reason out of many... The least of which was the forced exporting of all food products out ofIreland by the British... They meant to starve out the Native population...damn near succeeded

Comment by Rose Maurer on October 18, 2013 at 11:12am

John D. Ruddy is a genius, and so is Ryan O'Rourke for posting this incredible summary! The animation and the background noises are nothing short of inspired. Please keep it up for me to watch a couple of times!

Comment by Mike McCormack on October 20, 2013 at 9:27am

Congrats on the effort, but a few notes.  At one point you mention the Normans becoming 'more Irish than the Irish'.  While that is a popular notion, it is untrue.  It was only when the English came and stole from the Normans the lands that they had stolen from the native Irish, that the Normans became AS Irish as the Irish, but never MORE Irish.  In addition, the toll of AN Gorta Mor is noted as 1 million starved and 1 million emigrated.  Modern historians now recognize that total to be more than twice that number.  Finally, two things that should have been mentioned because of their significance in leading to the modern Republic were left out.  They are the Gaelic Revival and the Great Dublin Lockout of 1913.  I hope you consider these comments for revision one, otherwise a laudable effort, Mr Ruddy.

Comment by Rose Maurer on October 21, 2013 at 7:28am

It's only Monday afternoon, but I simply had to view this witty, condensed version of Ireland's long, and very often tragic history again. It helps a foreigner like myself begin to grasp aeons of this beautiful land's background.

Comment by Douglas P Meehan on October 23, 2013 at 2:33pm

For a 5 minute primer on Irish history, really good.

Comment by Doni Logan on June 15, 2015 at 7:39am

I really enjoyed this short historical story about Ireland.  While I was in the country during the month of September 2013, I learned some of these facts while visiting the Kilmainham Gaol. The presentation at that gaol impressed me very much and so did this short piece.  Like Rose Maurer above, it helps this Irish-American learn more about the struggles that some of my ancestors and others went through to hold on to their beloved Ireland.  Good job, Mr. Ruddy.

Heritage Partner Comment by That's Just How It Was on July 6, 2016 at 10:33am

Wonderful, witty and colorful , except for the few errors pointed out by Mick McCormack 

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