Eamonn Fitzgerald's Rainy Day

Sinn Fein, the public face of the IRA, is holding its Ard Fheis (annual convention) this weekend. And which venue did the "volunteers" pick for their gab fest? Why, The Royal Dublin Society, founded in 1731 by the forces of occupation and their lackeys. So much for irony. By the way, Richard Delevan is doing a splendid job blogging the affair.

Anyway, if the convention delegates would like to take in some culture during their stay in Dublin, a brisk walk will bring them to another impressive colonial structure, the National Gallery of Ireland at Merrion Square West, and there they can wonder at the nation's artistic treasures, especially its sole Vermeer, Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid. Oh, and isn't the Essential Vermeer one of the most impressive sites on the web?

Now, it's quite possible that some of the Sinn Fein members will have a déjà vu moment when they stand in front of the Dutch master's 72.2 x 59.7 cm painting. "I'm sure I've seen this one before, Gerry," they might say. "Aye, surely", would be the reply from the graying guerilla. You see, the IRA knows its Old Master.

This particular Vermeer, like the Royal Dublin Society and the Georgian building that's home to Ireland's National Gallery, is another colonial legacy and Sir Alfred Beit (1903-1994) is to be thanked for it. A Conservative MP from 1931 until the Labour landslide of 1945, he served in the RAF in the Second World War and went on to be Secretary for the Colonies. The family wealth came from gold mines and diamond dealing in South Africa and in 1952 he moved to Ireland and bought and restored Russborough House, an important Palladian mansion, as a suitable setting for the family's collection of Old Masters.

Anyway, one evening in 1974, Sir Alfred and his wife, Clementine, were having dinner when the door burst open and in marched the IRA. After the usual session of terror — tying up their victims, ripping priceless objects from the walls — the revolutionaries liberated 19 paintings, including Vermeer's Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid. The masterpiece was recovered a week later, having sustained only minor damage. Did money change hands? What do you think?

Tranquility restored itself at Russborough and in 1986 Sir Alfred decided to donate seventeen Old Masters to the National Gallery of Ireland, including Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid. A week before the ceremony was due to take place the Beits were having dinner when the door burst open and in marched The General, the violently unpredictable head of the Dublin underworld. After the usual session of terror, his gang made off with the Vermeer and the other sixteen works. Only after seven years of secret negotiations and worldwide police work was the painting recovered. The Old Master didn't bring much luck to the General, though. He was shot dead by in broad daylight in Dublin by, that's right, the IRA.

When one looks back at the last 30 years of terrorism and crime and the growing political power of Sinn Fein, it does appear as if it's taking rather too long for the people of Ireland to grasp the nature of the hydra they've nurtured. Meanwhile, back at the Royal Dublin Society...