Given how many people in Britain are descended from Irish stock, or related in some fashion, its a little difficult to hate them. FFS, St Patricks Day is celebrated with more gusto and effort than St Georges day, and Irish theme pubs are prevalent in every town. Celtic iconography is incredibly popular, and the top half of Ireland is british anyway. Admittedly they werent so popular during the troubles (and vice versa) but thats to be expected. The stereotypical humour is mostly good natured, and generally visitors to Eire from the rest of the UK are well treated.
As to Germany.. again, there is a good deal of inter-relation, and as time goes by, the mockery and humour at their expense over the war becomes more and more good natured, rather than vicious. If anything, the wars were an aberration, as we have generally been allied with that area of the world. It has been suggested that we were on the wrong side in WW1, and from that alliance we would have regained a whacking great big chunk of france, and WW2 would never have occured. Likewise, Hitler genuinely wished to have an alliance with us during WW2, and was most perturbed by our obstinacy in refusing such. These days, I think the only resentment is towards german tourists and their beach towels, and a touch of sporting rivalry. Also, I think theres an underlying confidence that if they "tried again" they would get their asses handed to them again, which alleviates the fear of a "fourth reich."
Our traditional enemies have always been the french, and there is a tendency towards anti-english sentiment from soctland and wales at times.
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"There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart,
that you can't take part" [Mario Savo, 1964]
24 Aug 2007, 1:00 pm
One of my best friends is German (we've been best friends since we were six 
), and I think Ireland is actually quite a popular holiday location for people over here (my parents love it!). 
