The Germans were wrecking havoc through Europe and killing the sons and daughters of their closest neighbors (though not the friendliest of), and Ireland chose to remain neutral. What was up with that?
As they put it, "… small nations like Ireland do not and cannot assume a role as defenders of just causes except [their] own … Existence of our own people comes before all other considerations … no government has the right to court certain destruction for its people; they have to take the only chance of survival and stay out".
The Irish gave the Brits a secret air base...and also officially expressed condolences to Germany after the death of Hitler. Nice of them. Admittedly, some Irish citizens took it on themselves to fight, and joined the British armed forces.
