The invasion of Iraq in 2002 has, for some, echoes of an earlier invasion of Ireland in 1169. One may well ask how? The answer to that is simple.

According to media reports, genealogists in Wexford have discovered evidence which suggests that President George W. Bush is a direct descendant of Strongbow, a name well known in Irish history as being that of the man who headed the Norman invasion of Ireland at the behest of the disgruntled and dispossessed Diarmaid (Dermot) Mac Murchadha, king of Leinster, in an attempt to win back his kingship.

Invading other countries was nothing new to the Normans. They themselves were the descendants of Vikings who had overrun the Normandy region of France and settled there.

In turn they invaded England and became the Norman-French rulers of Britain.

Now a modern-day descendant finds himself Commander in Chief of the American led invasion of Iraq.

Old habits are hard to change.

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