In 1966 Nelson’s Pillar was blown up in O’Connell Street in Dublin. It was a hugely symbolic and largely popular act which took place four weeks before the 50 th anniversary celebrations of the 1916 Rising. A group of Belfast teachers responded by producing one of the most popular songs of the period - ‘Up went Nelson’ - which stayed at number one in the Irish charts for eight weeks. “ One early mornin' in the year of '66 A band of Irish laddies were knockin' up some tricks They thought Horatio Nelson had overstayed a mite So they helped him on his way with some sticks of gelignite” Four weeks later I was one of thousands in Belfast who took part in the Easter 50 th anniversary of the Rising. It was one of the biggest commemorations ever held in the city. The Falls Road was packed with marching men and women and thousands more lined the route to the republican plot in Milltown cemetery. It was a formidable expression of solidarity with those who had participated