North Atlantic Skyline - - Photographs from the west of Ireland (Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Roscommon and even Leitrim)

Hands across the water

The Examiner laid its hands on a briefing document that the British Civil Service had prepared for their political masters. Alas, it was all terribly..civil.

Officials are warned not to patronise the Irish because memories of 800 years of conquest remain vivid. Other no-nos include getting into debates about Northern Ireland and referring to the country as Éire.

It's about time that they shouldered the blame for the Norman invasion of Ireland. The document also warns against making jokes about potatoes or 'taking the Mick'. Pity William Hague didn't read it.