The Isle of Dreams
Part 2
March 6th 1836
“Mr. President, there are some very angry young men here to see ye”
O’Connell looked up from his morning paper.
“Well, who are they?”
“They call themselves the ‘Fenian Brotherhood’, and I think they might be drunk,” said the aide.
O’Connell sighed, himself suffering from a few too many pints the night before. This was all he needed. Why couldn’t people just leave him alone?
“Oh all right, let ‘em in.” He watched as three men traipsed in, and towered over his desk. The tallest one slammed down a map on O’Connell’s desk.
“Look at this, will ye!” O’Connell picked up the map, which unsurprisingly was of Ireland.
“Yes, it’s a map of the republic. One that appears to have Belfast circled in red ink.” Or blood, he thought.
“Aye, Belfast. An’ what island is Belfast on?”
“Um, well, Ireland but-“
“But me no buts, Mr President! We demand you declare war on the English. As ye well know, they are currently fighting’ a war in the Punjab that’s not goin’ so well. Belfast must be a part of the Irish Republic!”
O’Connell looked at the three men, and burst out laughing.
“You come in here telling me what to do? Get out! I don’t need this.”
The main speaker picked up his map and they proceeded to leave. But just as he reached the door, he turned to O’Connell.
“Ye haven’t heard the last of us!”
The door slammed shut.
Minus 5 prestige and +2 militancy for Irish POPs or war with UK
May 11th 1836
At last, Ireland had an army. It had been a long few months, and recruitment had been relatively slow. But finally, Ireland could be said to be a nation. Of course, there was not too much that ten thousand men could do, but they could at least provide for homeland defence, which was enough for the time being. Upon the development of the army and the military industrial complex, Clausewiz had been very influential. O’Connell gathered his cabinet for a meeting.
“So, let’s start with foreign affairs. Peter?” The young minister cleared his throat.
“Um, well, the Dutch Civil War continues, with a Dutch offensive into central Belgium this very week. The British appear to be sitting and watching while the Dutch tear Belgium to pieces!”
“And what is our position?”
“We are officially neutral, but want the Dutch to win. Mainly because the British support Belgium. To be honest, we don’t really have a position.”
“Well we should. Over to you, Colin”
Colin Marney was the Minister for Industry, and one of the old guard.
“Well, Mr President, as you know the British left us with very little industrial technology. However, there are plans for expanded cotton and lumber mills to be completed in a few years. Other than that, our distilleries down south continue to pump out beer for the populace.”
O’Connell sighed. Yes, the British left us with very little indeed, he thought.
“What about railways?”
“We have begun work on a basic railway in Limerick, but that won’t be finished until the end of the year.”
"Well, does anyone have anything else to say? If not, then I would like to discuss the new constitution, finished this very week. As you all know we have modelled our republic on the United States, and as such our constitution very much resembles theirs, other than the influence that the Irish Catholic Church has had. It has been signed and completed, and elections for the first offical government will be held in December 1837, by which time we should have all the relevant structures in place. Of course, thr Repealer Party will be disbanded, and I will stand for the Whigs. I'm sure you will all support my bid to be the first offical President of Ireland, as such support will be rewarded with government positions. And thus concludes this meeting."
The assorted ministers filed out, muttering between themselves. O'Connell sat back in his chair, and lit a cigar.
The political situation
