IN his recent letter C MacArt (HAS, Nov 18) made reference to genetic evidence concerning the Irish. Many aren’t aware of the genetic research carried out by Stephen Oppenheimer or the recent archaeological evidence found by such as Dublin University. Both formed part of the 2009 RTE series Blood of the Irish and works such as B Cunliff ’s 2012 Britain Begins.

This research discovered that the British and Irish share the same ancestry.

Both descended from a tribe who migrated from Spain to Ireland 10,000 years ago. Some settled in Ireland and became the Irish; others settled in Britain and became the ancient Britons.

When viewed in relation to Irish mythology there is direct conformity between the genetic and archaeological evidence and the Irish myth concerning the arrival of Nemedians in Ireland - the mythical ancestor tribe of the Irish and the Ancient Britons.

Such evidence doesn’t prove or disprove the Nemedians ever exited.

But it does show that the British and Irish have a shared ancestry, culture, etc., dating back 10,000 years.

Focusing on what the British and Irish have in common is a better way to build peace, instead of people harping back to the Troubles.

CT Riley, Spennymoor