Dear James, I think there is some truth in what you are saying, but I have a vivid memory of being in Jamaica some years ago, and visiting the plantation house of a notorious/evil famed slave and plantation owner. My mother was wallowing in the "I am Irish and we are loved by everyone/never invaded or went to war with anyone image"... until the tour guide told us how the evil white witch of Rose Hall was in fact born in County Kerry. We have just returned from a holiday in Cornwall, and my little son made friends with an Irish boy on his holidays there too. Michael took great pleasure in telling my son, "everyone loves the Irish, all the terrorists love coming to London to kill you English - everyone hates the English." My son was really distressed by this, and I don't blame him. I am proud of where I am from, I don't mind if people do not warm to me because of it. I tell anyone who will listen - I am from Dulwich... But then I am