Given the unpredictability of politics on these isles, it appears assured at present that a unified Ireland won’t be achieved by Christmas, rebuffing a well-known forecast from the television series, Star Trek, over a generation ago.
In a 1990 episode, the Starship Enterprise’s Chief Operations Officer – the ultimate rational, highly advanced entity known as Data – contemplated perplexingly over past instances where ‘terrorism’ overcame politics. He catalogued these instances as: “Spain’s loss of Mexico, Ireland’s 2024 unification, and the Kenzie rebellion.” (I must confess, I am at a loss as to the identity or nature of this ‘Kenzie.’)
It’s become universally clear and acknowledged by the majority of ex-revolutionaries that, if Ireland were to merge within this prescribed time frame, it would have to be due to political manoeuvring rather than armed forces. However, until relatively recently, the timeline at least of Data’s forecast still appeared plausible in retrospect.
In 2019, even one columnist for this publication – an exceptionally logical and advanced entity known as Fintan O’Toole – posed that Brexit may trigger such an event. The essence of his argument was captured in the subheadline: “Star Trek envisioned Ireland’s unification in 2024. It’s not beyond belief for the series to be accurate.”
Four months can certainly bring upon a lot of change in the political landscape. However, the likelihood of a sudden vote on Irish reunification before the year ends, let alone a majority ‘Yes’ win, appears very slim. In fact, it’s unthinkable. I am betting that there is a stronger likelihood of the mysterious Kenzie rebellion commencing this autumn.
Star Trek enthusiasts who harbour nationalist sentiments may find it consoling, even amusing, to learn that Ireland’s trans-border railway network is also titled the Enterprise – a far cry from a starship due to the seemingly slow north-south progress attributed to Dundalk’s substantial gravitational force. Despite this, its purpose as a conduit between the distinct entities of Dublin and Belfast garners amusement even Data may have enjoyed.
If reunification is to be realised as predicted, the recent All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review could be viewed as a small but significant contributor in the fullness of time. The proposed enhancements to the system, including higher speed, regular service and interconnectedness, are likely to be received favourably by rational people across the nation. Regrettably, there was no prognostication of the Enterprise achieving warp velocity anytime soon. Even concepts such as magnetic levitation seem currently unattainable.
Widely-used as the term has become, it was mildly disheartening that even a futuristic vision for railway travel felt the need to incorporate a portion dubbed: ‘Roadmap for Delivery.’
Another notable Star Trek reference within Irish lore pertains to the notion that the character of Spock was partially influenced by artwork adorning the walls of a Dublin public house. Harry Kernoff’s painting, A Bird Never Flew on One Wing, hung in O’Brien’s on Leeson Street, and it is said that a Hollywood set designer was inspired by it in the early 1960s. Kernoff was renowned for adding sharp angles to his subjects’ features, regardless of their actual physical attributes. After Brian O’Nolan (better known as Flann O’Brien) expressed his displeasure at the depiction of his cranium in one of Kernoff’s portraits, a hat was painted over it.
In A Bird Never Flew on One Wing, one of the pair of depicted drinkers, known as “Toucher” Doyle for his constant solicitation of funds for drink, features sharp, pointed facial features that are arguably reminiscent of Spock’s. Kernoff himself was reportedly charmed by Doyle’s approach: “He touched me for ten bob while I was painting him but it was done with real artistry.”
Doyle was noted for his endearing bar-hopping, done mostly around the North Earl Street pubs, which now prominently features the “Dublin Portal,” a technology that transports Dublin residents across the Atlantic to New York, reciprocated by a corresponding contraption.
In the context of terrestrial transportation, the Enterprise does not make its route through Drumcar, a village in Louth, passing slightly to its west instead. For those participating in a National Heritage Week function on the coming Sunday, alternative transport to the event site might be required.
However, as pointed out by Michael Holohan, the Sunday programme of music and talks have undertones of exploration, focusing on the long-established camaraderie between Charles Villiers Standford, a composer, and Francis Le Poer McClintock, Drumcar’s ex-rector. McClintock was related to and shared a name with a well-known Arctic explorer.
Included in the Sunday proceedings is a discourse on the McClintock lineage at Drumcar House, a selection performance of Stanford’s musical works at St Fintan’s Church of Ireland, followed by an afternoon tea session at the church house. The event commences at 2.30 pm. Tickets are priced at €10 and will be likely available at the door, though pre-purchase is possible by contacting Bryan Rogers who is affiliated with the Annagassan Historical Society, on 087-9923739.