Emma Willis Shocked By Horrific United Irishman History | Who Do You Think You Are

Presenter Emma Willis grew up in Birmingham and loves the city and her fellow Brummies. She wants to find out how deep her roots are there. Further afield, an interfaith marriage in Ireland leads Emma down two very different paths. Violent events force her to confront disturbing truths about one ancestor, while the hard graft and determination of another lead Emma to draw parallels with her own life.
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[@aaronuaconaill5688]

A side of British history which has not yet been confronted in Britain... Cruelty is the only word for it. Unjustifiable and indefensible.

[@khiggins7231]

Totally correct and they wonder still why the resentment

[@jamie8032]

They've done it, throughout their empire building in every corner of the globe. Slaughter, Subdue the Natives and steal - all under the guise of being a "civilizing" force. The only part of British history thought in their schools is when they where a liberating force during WWII, Not the centuries prior when they where an oppressive force.

[@RobertK1993]

@@khiggins7231 Ulster Protestants Unionists deny thier Irish Republican ancestors

[@SB-sj4uz]

This is describing the Irish Civl war. Nothing to do with the British. Again the innocent Irish who have never done anything wrong.

[@meeny2005]

@@SB-sj4uz nothing to do with the civil war, learn Irish history before you talk pony, it's 1790s, civil war was 1921/22

[@Zombehnation1001]

1:34 it didn't just appeal to Irish Catholics, it appealed to most Irishmen who weren't of Anglican Anglo-Irish stock. Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and other Protestant denominations joined them, the United Irishmen was founded by Protestants, and espoused a secular republic similar to the French republic of the time.

[@elephantsmemory3142]

We did not get a secular republic though The church had and to a degree still has an immense amount of power here

[@Zombehnation1001]

@@elephantsmemory3142 The free state made in 1922 was governed by Cumann na Gaeladh, who were moderate conservatives who wanted a catholic state, the united irishmen and the anti-treaty IRA would've founded a country a lot different to what the free state was.

[@SC-vs7ik]

@@elephantsmemory3142 yeh you can thank the "patriotic" Dev for that, he was the worst thing to happen to Ireland once it got freedom. Sold us to the church, when he got on a situation he claimed to be American and left the lads to the firing squad, he pursued a policy of isolation for Ireland but since so many people were leaving it didn't work cause there was no one to build up his industrial state and change it from an agrarian economy. He just wanted power at any cost regardless of who or what he had to trample in order to get it

[@wynty200]

@@SC-vs7ik He didn’t want an industrial Ireland, he much preferred the backward, stereotyped image of farmers in thatched cottages getting pissed at a crossroads. More homely to him...

[@PhilHoy97]

It was mostly Presbyterians in the North

[@leonosionnaigh2823]

Unbelievable that a British woman in her 40's has literally no idea of the term "orangeman". The brits are oblivious of their history

[@irisheyes2747]

I often think when something like that happens in a show, it's a producers way of getting it explained to the audience.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

No doubt it’s scary when u talk a bit if history with them. They look at u like ur crazy 😂 little do they know.

[@kevinell6605]

It's no surprise really that she wouldn't know what the Orange Order is about ...to be honest it's a term mostly relevant with Irish history than British or English in reality.

[@jmo8934]

@@kevinell6605 Tell that to the orange order. They are completely deluded.

[@johnhenry4844]

Bruh sorry Britain doesn’t obsess over the past like Ireland

[@jpoh4398]

The English educational system leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to history, especially it's teaching of England's relationship with Ireland.

[@MackerelCat]

Hilarious that she turns up wearing a bright orange shirt 😂

[@rocarolan2003]

Important to remember the united Irishmen had quite a lot of protestants in it too.

[@RobertK1993]

Many Ulster Presbyterians where Peep O Day Boys/Order Order not just Anglicans they started sectarian battles against innocent Irish Roman Catholics in County Armagh in 1780s and 1990s ended up with Wexford massacres Scuallbouge and Wexford Bridge of Protestants during Irish rebellion 1798.

[@aligindahouse7777]

The leaders were mostly Protestant

[@goldielocks2621]

You don't need to go as far back as the United Irishmen to find Orange brutality it still lies just under the surface.

[@tmk1031]

Well as an Orangeman, I would say brutality lies beneath a lot of surfaces in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Anyone is capable of being brutal and it is by no means exclusive to one organization. I had a relative gunned down outside his house while his 4 young children slept inside. For the rest of their lives they had to go in and out through the doorway where their father was murdered. I wonder have you heard about the Tullyvallen massacre when 5 men were murdered while bowing for prayer simply because they were Orangemen. So yes, I do agree with your statement but a bit of balance is always helpful.

[@beaglaoich4418]

@@tmk1031 do you mind me asking why are you a member of the Orange Order? Not trying to catch you out, just you seem like a reasonable person compared to others and likely to give a sincere answer

[@ConCon75]

​@@tmk1031 except the orange order is sectarian by design. Thankfully most protestants have woke. Up to your backwards nonsense anyways. Always getting caught out with scandals these days.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Lol IRA were really brutal even against their own so back off.

[@RobertK1993]

​@@beaglaoich4418 It's Protestant fraternal society

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

She has a stunning pair of eyes tbf.

[@Romchav]

The headline is misleading it wasn't the united Irishmen who where horrific

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

💯 there hand was forced

[@pugmahone9439]

The researcher says “ the United Irishmen were threatening the stability of the country by planning a rebellion “ as if that was a bad thing , it’s the duty of any man to protect his country from foreign invaders especially brutal ones like the British were as evidenced by the story told of stabbing and terrible torture of two innocent men to extract information.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

@@pugmahone9439 🇮🇪🙏🏻🇮🇪

[@guinnessharvey4476]

It’s astonishing how little she knows about Ireland

[@SamStone1964]

Why should she know more about Ireland?

[@guinnessharvey4476]

@@SamStone1964 schools in England do teach about the history there. And to not no the who orangemen were seemed naive. But perhaps she’s just not that into school and history . Fair enough:) and to wear orange?

[@SamStone1964]

@@guinnessharvey4476 Wearing orange was clearly just a fashion choice. I'm Australian and my knowledge of Ireland is limited to researching my Irish ancestors. But the Irish historical records are severely lacking.

[@Dreyno]

@@SamStone1964 Because it was a constituent part of her country until a century ago? Because Britain’s involvement in Ireland has helped shape their own history since Tudor times at the very least? Because it’s their closest neighbouring country and shares a common language? Because she’s in her 40s and grew up with news stories every single day until adulthood about Northern Ireland and the Troubles? You’re on the far side of the planet. You shouldn’t be expected to know. She probably should know, however.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

That’s cause there history classes are totally different to actual history.

[@cowboyfrankspersonalvideos8869]

We cannot judge past events solely by the standards of today. In order to "understand" history, we MUST consider the attitudes and beliefs of the time. Frank Harrell, 1998 But that doesn't exonerate wrong deeds.

[@imedi]

i will break it down for you unionists were scumbags back then and many years later they were the same way

[@aine7173]

You cant defend it. There is so many accounts like the Egans that went on up to the 1920s. But at least there is some admittance to it. Not so long ago the BBC would not air that.

[@johnpryce2011]

interesting my mum's maiden name was Egan.

[@thomasoloughlin9075]

Cannot believe how naive she is asking a question like what is the orange order .

[@meyou-gi8xq]

Most English people are unaware of the Orange Order. Mustn't be as relevant to Britain as they believe themselves to be.

[@bradavon]

English history lessons cover the two world wars, the tudors and that's about it. Nothing about the British empire or the British involvement in Ireland is taught. You can't really blame her for being ignorant to be a it.

[@johnhenry4844]

Irish people need to understand not everyone cares about their history like they do

[@thomasoloughlin9075]

@@johnhenry4844 a lot of Irish history is inter linked to British history going back 600 years, some people might not want to know the history of others because of the embarrassment it brings them, there is a to admire about irish history as there is about British history with the industrial revolution and all the great engineers like Brunil Stevenson the railways steam trains the london underground ect all to be admired as I'm sure you know from reading your own history, but please note most times when you read the history of other countries You can learn more about the history of your country,and some of of it might not be pleasant reading.

[@artetas-army5982]

Blame the British education system not her. At least she seems to feel it

[@corvus1374]

Nobody ever told Emma she shouldn't wear orange in Dublin. :D

[@bradavon]

That's common knowledge then? Didn't know that.

[@bradavon]

Even if you're Dutch? 😂

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

😂

[@freebeerfordworkers]

Even though it's on the Irish flag as a gesture of reconciliation?

[@corvus1374]

@@freebeerfordworkers Even though.

[@markoriordan11]

Why is she using the words defame and propoganda when the initial article is pretty accurate?more apologist bs

[@flapperjj95]

Don’t want to paint the English establishment in it’s true colours.

[@smith5796]

For Balance.

[@Irish780]

Dunlavin jeez I'm from Stratford on Slaney wow

[@thomasotoole1653]

Do you know Josie Coleman

[@Irish780]

@@thomasotoole1653 yes I'm from Stratford on Slaley but long long time gone yes I know Josie her boyfriend was big Derek freeman back then

[@Irish780]

I'm pretty sure I know you Thomas I'm johnny Cullen hehe

[@johnpryce2011]

cruel times for sure.

[@michaeldukes4108]

Every thumbnail has the most unflattering picture of this lady.

[@psycherevivedby]

who cares? it doesnt matter

[@Locomaid]

She is stunning, right? they don’t do her justice

[@ericralph4657]

Éire go deo

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

Erin go bragh

[@cordelia81]

...back in that time people faught with different weapons as today and there were so much different rules...today people hack or bully others through different tactics

[@tmk1031]

Like Covid injections.

[@ScepticalSkeptic]

Meh. Sassenach's gonna Sassenach.

[@mylesmcconnell6171]

Remember Orr!

[@conordorrian1652]

🎶 Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves 🎶.....And this is how the whole system worked, it's the modern attitude of brits that somehow they are a beacon of democracy throughout the globe 🌎🌎😜😜

[@SeanRCope]

She’s wearing an orange shirt, what are the odds?

[@RobertK1993]

Nothing really significant she thinks Orange Order is primitive

[@Richard-od3gc]

People styled her

[@rockerjim8045]

“boggy meadow”

[@corvus1374]

And Richard's daughter married a Catholic? Or was she his granddaughter?

[@moc7323]

If I was reading something belonging to my family history . If it turned out JACK THE RIPPER was my relative .. I’d be delighted to know the history and not get upset by it .. it was what it was

[@yukongetit4603]

Well said, they don't MAKE you but its just a cool part of your story you should explore instead of vilify

[@MrVegasdeuce]

Who was Jack The Ripper again? Real name?

[@billboth6572]

People MUST stop judging events of OVER 200 YEARS AGO based on the thoughts and attitudes of today. None of us were there and lived in those times and events and have not any even remote clue as to how and by what means people needed to do to survive during times of war and civil unrest. Just STOP.

[@graphiquejack]

If he was brought to court to justify or be held to account for his actions, it must have been seen as extreme or illegal even back then. To force people out of their homes in the middle of the night and start stabbing them to torture them for information is pretty despicable no matter what was happening at the time.

[@doubleducks814]

So today the British government are trying to pass a law which protects British soldiers from prosecution for atrocities carried out against Irish people. This is not history it is happening right now.

[@siofra3819]

@@graphiquejack 😂not illegal to do that to Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland in the 60s and 70s

[@tmk1031]

@@siofra3819 Yes it was illegal but yes it happened but lets not pretend that Nationalists did it to Unionists in great numbers too.

[@siofra3819]

@@tmk1031 let’s not forget who started the troubles, have you ever heard of retaliation? The normally happens when a group of people oppress another group and attack them. Religious bigotry didn't start in Ireland, it was brought from Britain

[@desdoyle7839]

Be careful what you wish for.

[@marclynch314]

Bet she's sorry she wore an orange jumper that day.

[@Tereyoc]

The founding leadership of the united irishman were mostly protestant orange man. Wolfe tone was Anglo Irish. They wanted an republic.

[@user-fw3hp7bb6d]

They were Protestant. They weren't Orangemen.

[@janettedavis6627]

@@user-fw3hp7bb6d yes I should agree but Ian Paisley said he cwas Presbyterian.

[@weneverstop.4640]

@@janettedavis6627 paisley was a Presbyterian. But not like the ones that belonged to the united irishmen.

[@RobertK1993]

@@weneverstop.4640 Paisley and Ulster Unionists Loyalists are a joke wouldn't be able to tie the shoe laces of United Irishmen Presbyterians same with Sinn Féin IRA

[@RobertK1993]

@@user-fw3hp7bb6d They where Protestant mainly Wolfe Tone not Orangemen they be bigoted Protestants

[@wheredidthetimego8087]

I dont think torchur is ever justified

[@siobhanmcevoy8441]

My hometown ♥️🇮🇪

[@Chilavertish]

Historian: says United Irishmen paper was used to defame, when reading about fowler Also historian: reads contemporary account backing up United Irishmen paper statement about Fowler

[@MrVegasdeuce]

Mr Potato Head King George has quite a history eh?

[@tmendez880]

She is so intelligent

[@andrewclavin7447]

Would stabbing then mean the same as now..what's an orange man 👨

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

Funny

[@danielprefontaine4030]

What sort of man was Richard............, 😳😳😳😳😳

[@sandraobrien8705]

What kind of man do you think he was? Researcher: silence.

[@caitrionatraynor9651]

DONT JUSTIFY IT!

[@skadooshly]

If only Napoleons ship had reached Ireland the last few hundred years could have been so different.

[@thinkandthank7406]

It could be worse!

[@marcoeire44]

It would have been better if we spoke German than English, how about that.

[@theemurman1]

Your titles aren’t fair to the celebrities in these shows. Sorry Im a yank and I have no idea who these people are so I don’t even look into it. Last names please!!

[@yellowbox2258]

Weren't the United Irishman prods?

[@MrSchizoid405]

Both prods and Catholics, more Catholics than prods.

[@Dom-fx4kt]

Much of the leaders were Prods, the members who followed were both Prods and Catholics but mostly Catholics

[@johnfogarty91]

So was the first President of Ireland

[@RazorMouth]

Even to this day there are a lot more protestant republicans/nationalists than there are catholic unionists.

[@smith5796]

Prods Lol.

[@janettedavis6627]

The Orange order was founded by William of Orange Orange Lodges are many in Northern Ireland. They wear an orange sash. Yes they are Protestant but mostly Presbyterian most non practising. They are a lower branch of Masons. Many Protestants in Ireland wanted self rule and classed themselves as Irish.

[@weneverstop.4640]

William of orange wasn’t the founder of the orange order. It was set up to remember the battle of the boyne. And other williamite wars. It was formed in the 1790s. The battle of the boyne was in 1690 so he was long dead by then

[@RobertK1993]

@@weneverstop.4640 He fell of his horse in 1702 poor King Billy bad luck 🤣

[@mic259]

Ha, your facts are so wrong!

[@smith5796]

Sharpe shot him in the Buttocks.

[@siofra3819]

Orange order never classed themselves as Irish

[@SB_McCollum]

I've never seen so much acting, did she have to rehearse those traumatic responses or did they just do retakes?

[@laurenceoconnor6499]

😲

[@patring4641]

"propaganda paper" bias much? lol

[@brendanoconnor3128]

Fackin Oirish cants..,!!

[@sarsfield70]

do you ever notice that the Irish probably like the English maybe more then anyone else? just saying :)

[@ams8808]

Um no...definitely not.

[@anon9110]

No

[@Koalatronic]

Nobody likes the English except the English themselves.

[@itsalwaysteatime3803]

Absolutely not

[@itsalwaysteatime3803]

You Cleary know nothing about our history to make such a silly statement.

[@glennbrennan7999]

United Irishman were Protestants...

[@MrSchizoid405]

No they weren't. They were made up of Protestants and Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians. There was more Catholics in their ranks than protestants which accounted for 90% of the population of Ireland.

[@glennbrennan7999]

@@MrSchizoid405 I’ve no idea where you’re getting your information but catholic’s and especially anglicans (the ones they were rebelling against) were an absolute minority, which is ultimately why the movement failed. Can you name any influential catholic members?

[@glennbrennan7999]

@UCwXbrZRcxh0NmHZzlLaufQA never said they fought catholic’s??? And not one of those men where anglicans? Particularly not Wolf Tone who was a Huguenot😂😂

[@MrSchizoid405]

@@glennbrennan7999 And I might also add the first republic of the Irish nation was established by Father John Murphy with french support.

[@Colin-Fenix]

She doesn’t sound very intelligent and reads poorly.

[@SparrowHills08]

😍😍😍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@envisagebgt8078]

because Unite Irishmen would do the same to protestants, loyalists.

[@bellei365]

envisage BGT it was only revenge upon to oppressor of the land

[@captaintyrrell6428]

The Irish were merciless when they had the upper hand. The Irish rebels of the 1641 rebellion murdered tens of thousands of civilians by driving them into rivers and the United Irishmen did the same at Wexford bridge in 1798.

[@TheGreatPumpkin]

You are aware that most of the United Irishmen in the north of the country were Presbyterians and therefore Protestants right?

[@mrs.cracker4622]

Fallen human nature doesn't play favourites. We all suffer from it equally.

[@Zombehnation1001]

@@captaintyrrell6428 And Cromwell massacred the town of Drogheda. the 1600s is far different to the 1700s. Wexford bridge was an isolated incident of political motivation, not sectarian, pitch capping, executions and evictions were far more prevalent within the british army and far more systemic than a single massacre the UI did.