The Irish government is now one of the biggest supporters of a frictionless Irish border - but it was a different story when the first checkpoints opened on this day 100 years ago.
So are there any relevant lessons for a Brexit-era generation?"There were strong business objections from both sides of the border to trade barriers.From the stroke of midnight on 1 April 1923, members of the public faced new customs duties and potential fines for moving certain goods over the 310-mile frontier.
He added: "They were unable to buy certain goods without paying duties on them, so they started shopping in Enniskillen or Newtownbutler.Customs 'funded independence'Republican leaders in the south bitterly opposed partition and sought to undermine it in various ways, including through IRA incursions and a boycott of Belfast banks and businesses.
"If you have fiscal autonomy, you have to have control over your borders, you have to have control over customs." Unionist leaders today, who oppose the current post-Brexit Irish Sea border, make similar points about the importance of unrestricted access to markets in Great Britain. "All Fools' Day was celebrated in the Free State by the inauguration of the customs barrier which fiscally, is to cut off Southern Ireland from the rest of the world," it wrote.An extract from the Northern Whig newspaper dated 2 April 1923
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
100 most popular baby names in Scotland - as top spot replaced after 14 yearsThe most popular baby names of the last year have been revealed, with a huge change at the top of the list.
Read more »
Leica and Disney launch limited edition camera celebrating 100 yearsLeica and Disney launch limited edition camera celebrating 100 years of the film studio
Read more »
'Excruciating pain': How 100 years of little progress on chronic conditions has impacted womenOlder generations have witnessed a societal shift in awareness surrounding endometriosis and chronic UTI, but diagnosis and treatment options have remained largely the same 🔎 Big Read by connie_dimsdale
Read more »
Cheshire reading volunteer, 100, receives BEM at schoolPeter Davies says the school is the 'centre of my world' and the honour is 'beyond belief'.
Read more »
World's Oldest Male Surfer Hopes to Keep Catching Waves at 100Seiichi Sano of Japan turns 90 years old in 2023 and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest male to surf.
Read more »