Yet again the NI neanderthal rears it's ugly head again, Jon, Jim & Russell. Historians have questioned the veracity of these 'Depositions' for years and with good cause. Of course people in the 17thC were beyond reproach and incapable of telling fibs or embellishing 'a good yarn', unless of course they were 'treacherous Papists', isn't that right, lads? Cromwell's own right-hand man, William Petty, recorded with much glee the outrages committed against the natives here and whilst there may have been some 'flowering' of the accounts, generally they are perceived to be quite accurate. Go read some history, lads.

Posted by The Mighty Begorrah | 04.03.10, 15:03 GMT

Robbo, I am merely trying to illustrate the point that the only historical events that anyone ever bother to question are the ones where the gaelic Irish or their descendants are in the wrong.

Posted by Jim | 04.03.10, 13:36 GMT

Fair Play, the people killed by Cromwell's army at Drogheda were a Protestant Royalist garrison who were defending the town for their king and asked for no quarter, it was common practise then that mercy would be shown to the besieged if they agreed to terms of surrender. Whatever Cromwell's problem was, sectarianism wasn't it.

Posted by Jim | 04.03.10, 13:33 GMT

Oh come on!
This is historical research, as valid as any other. Those people who are sugesting that it may have any effect on current levels of sectarianism need to wise up.
Of course it doesn't affect us in the 21st century - it's history! It's an academic discipline that receives academic grants for all sorts of research. this is no different.

Does everything have to be made into a sectarian mudslinging match?
Take this, for example;
"No doubt the go-ahead for funding was given by non-unionists?"
Seriously, WISE UP. It's an academic study, and the funding was no doubt provided like funding for any other academic study - according to its academic merit. Unless you're an academic historian this should not be an issue to you!
Thousands of pounds are made available every year to study the Byzantine Church in the 11th century - is someone going to suggest that this is sectarian funding favouring the eastern orthodox?
Nonsense. Wise up.

Posted by John | 04.03.10, 12:40 GMT

Both sides have always, and probably will always be as bad as each other! Before the partition of Ireland it was about Politics, some Protestants wanted and still do want a utd Ireland in the same way some Catholics want to remain part of Britain! It's been turned into Catholic Vs Protestants by Politicians. The normal Catholic/ Protestant wants to move on and stop wasting money on these enqiuries.

Posted by Bill | 03.03.10, 21:30 GMT

English political dogma killed millions in the famine. Laissez faire indeed.

Posted by Ted | 03.03.10, 19:58 GMT

A tradition that is still in place today!!!!

Posted by WilliamB | 03.03.10, 19:20 GMT

This is tasteless. Is it really necessary to not only discuss this topic but to display images?

Sick topic and maybe you could do a topic tomorrow about catholics persecuted by unionists - I dont think it would suit your audience !

Posted by ian | 03.03.10, 18:53 GMT

Like Bloody Sunday,we should forget the past.

Posted by Henry | 03.03.10, 18:40 GMT

Why is this decribed above as an "alleged massacre" when it isn't contested that the massacres took place, only the numbers murdered?

Did this journalist attend the David Irvine school of history??

Posted by Steve | 03.03.10, 18:21 GMT

Awful that this only suits some readers isnt it!? Time only matters for some denominations for others its irrelevant - pity that Irish history isnt so much of potato famine and injustice for just one community - oh the shame - what will the republicans do to rectify the situation?

Posted by Saoirse | 03.03.10, 18:19 GMT

I'm always amazed at the mentality of people who want to live in the past, especially if it helps engender hatred and anger in our current lives. What purpose does this does have in mending fences among our people and building up a peaceful society for future generations? Obviously the University of Aberdeen has too much time on it's hands. Why the Belfast Telegraph gives "print space" to this is puzzeling.

However, I doubt if they will give "print space" to this comment!

Posted by Edward | 03.03.10, 18:16 GMT

When Christianity is dead this will all seem pointless :)

Posted by John | 03.03.10, 18:04 GMT

Not a great way of bringing people together on the Island, quite divisive, but I am sure its interesting for the academics. It reminds me of the old adage "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".

Posted by Stuart | 03.03.10, 17:49 GMT

Fair Play, why do you think it's The BT at fault here? If you believe that this is the wrong time for such an enquiry then surely your criticism should be directed at the researchers from University of Aberdeen who are instigating it.

I fully believe that The Researchers have already decided that they want an outcome which suggests that few protestants were killed. They'll spend their time trying to gather evidence that supports this.

If it turns out that high numbers of Protestants were massacred then this study will be buried and we'll hear no more of it!

Posted by Boyd | 03.03.10, 17:43 GMT

Can we have an inquiry into the deaths generated by the invasion of Raymond Le Gros and Richard de Clare?
How about the deaths generated by the wars between John De Courcy and Hugh De Lacy?

Posted by Ulysses32 | 03.03.10, 17:41 GMT

Fair Play, why do you think it's The BT at fault here? If you believe that this is the wrong time for such an enquiry then surely your criticism should be directed at the researchers from University of Aberdeen who are instigating it.

I fully believe that The Researchers have already decided that they want an outcome which suggests that few protestants were killed. They'll spend their time trying to gather evidence that supports this.

If it turns out that high numbers of Protestants were massacred then this study will be buried and we'll hear no more of it!

Posted by Boyd | 03.03.10, 17:35 GMT

What an excellent opportunity for them to investigate the history, content and threatenings of the infamous Sinn Fein oath at the same time.

Many belonging to the Reformed Faith, would be interested to discover where the documentary evidence is, that the oath has in fact been repudiated and condemned by all concerned.

Posted by Rev Mervyn Cotton | 03.03.10, 17:35 GMT

You are kinda missing the point, hotheads; your antagonistic view of each other in the present should not constrain serious academic research into important and oft misunderstood episodes in this countrys history. When the work has been done, assess its value and worth and contribution to our understanding of the history of the 17th century and what lasting impact, if any, our knowledge of such events has on our contemporary society.

Posted by Malachy Mulligan | 03.03.10, 17:06 GMT

This belongs in the past, along with the Famine and Bloody Sunday. Only the enemies of the peace process can gain by raking up past wrongs

Posted by Steve | 03.03.10, 17:05 GMT