This is a late response to Stephen Collins’ recent article in the Irish Times criticising the glorification of political violence in Irish culture. It comes later than is usual for a response piece, partly because Michael McDowell quite competently pointed out the historical problems with Collins’ argument.

But last week I visited Barcelona, and besides getting the coincidental opportunity of Leopoldo O’Donnell centre-stage in a wall-sized painting of the Battle of Tetouan (a surprising coincidence after last week’s article) conversations with local friends and from seeing and reflecting on the city forced me to add something to the discussion.

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