Hangarshuffle, re: your views on reconciliation... would you really prefer the catholic and protestant communities bombing the crap out of each other and shooting up our servicemen?
Regardless of who's side you are on, that "conflict" was never going to be resolved by force by any side. Reconciliation really was the only way. I for one never thought it would ever happen and I have a great respect for those on all sides who made it happen. Ireland, both north and south is a safer, better place for it and so is mainland UK for that matter.
Its easy to condemn McGuinness and Adams for being terrorists (so was Mandela). Its also easy to forget the atrocious discrimination perpetrated against the catholic community in the 1960's which facilitated the IRA's re-emergence.
Time to move on and enjoy the peace.