The DUP and UUP are gas men (and women, although mainly men). When asked if they would serve as Deputy First Minister if Sinn Féin emerge as the largest party after Thursday’s election, they say that any decision like that can only be made when they know what the new administration’s programme for government looks […]
April, 2022
Stormont? Never was that keen on it anyway
On Thursday, we will elect 90 people to represent us at Stormont. Right? Wrong. For one thing, we in the dear little stateen of NEI voted clearly against Brexit. But we got Brexited just the same. So while there will be some people heading to Stormont who re-present the views of some of the people […]
THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME AND THE ANTI-RUSSIAN MEDIA MONOPOLY – by Donal Kennedy
Remember the Stockholm Syndrome when innocent people taken prisoner by villains, when rescued refused to give evidence against the villain, so close were the bonds forced upon them? It seems to me that such bonds link Irish political, academic and media professionals/mercenaries to unreformed British blackguards. I spend many months getting Britain’s Press […]
Next Thursday’s election and being otherwise engaged
In the Assembly election of 2017, nearly 65% of registered voters cast a vote. Put another way, over one-third of registered voters couldn’t be bothered voting. I often wonder what these people do during polling day. Do they spend the entire time learning tap-dancing, or performing brain surgery, or slouched in front of the […]
THE SAS AND THEIR ADMIRERS – by Donal Kennedy
In 1970, on holiday in Dublin, I bought a magazine entitled, I think, “This Week”. It had a cover story on the “Official IRA” and promised one the “Provisionals” the following week. It quoted Cathal Goulding, Chief of Staff of the “Officials” saying that Britain’s “Special Air Services” (SAS) were deployed in the […]
Jim Allister : a lone warrior
Jim Allister is one of the most interesting politicians in NEI. He’s certainly courageous – the fact that not only do nationalists and republicans disagree with just about every word he says, so too do the DUP, the UUP, Alliance, the Greens, People Before Profit and Aontu. He is your classic voice crying in the […]
‘Eire’ sign on Howth Head, and its significance to Ireland’s neutrality – by Donal Kennedy
In the 6th century AD, the sainted poet Colmcille wrote that it was sweet to be on Ben Eadar. He was referring to Howth Head which features large in poetry, mythology and the history of Ireland. In the 9th century, exactly 1201 years ago in 821 AD Viking raiders gathered together in a place they […]
MUSINGS ON THE PICKLE WE ARE ALL IN – by Donal Kennedy
I had mislaid the February 27 SUNDAY TIMES (London Edition) which filled me with horror at the time. Its front page headline “TERROR STALKS THE STREETS”had told us “Ukrainian volunteers hunt traitors as paranoia grips Kyiv”. Another nearly 2 page article was headed “I know how to use it’, said the 20 year old, […]
PAT+ JUDE TALK ABOUT MACRON’S VICTORY, ANGELA RAYNER’S LEGS, AND THE DEATH PENALTY IN TEXAS
Emmanuel Macron yesterday was re-elected President of France. Is that good news or bad news? Or maybe bad news rather than the worst news? Angela Rayner is deputy leader of Britain’s Labour Party. The Tories have accused her of crossing and uncrossing her legs (a la Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct) in order to distract […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT THINK-TANKS, DONEGAL PRICES, CHURCHMEN & SPEAKING OUT & V RICH FOOTBALLERS
Micheál Martin has set the think-tank Tasc the job of looking at what a new Ireland would look like. Is this a breakthrough, or just Micheál kicking the can down the boreen? In Donegal, apparently, there is at least one holiday home advertising its availability to those who favour staycations. How much? Ah, there’s […]