The torrential downpour of tolerance which inundated that odd quadrangle of space so dear to the harp-spangled history of Irish Freedom – the courtyard of Dublin Castle – brought tears of unrestrained joy to all those who had foregathered there under the Rainbow of Revolution two years ago. But most of all it brought […]
David McWilliams, the demographics and a truly startling poll
I have never thought of David McWilliams as a particularly nationalist Irishman. He’s best known for his economic expertise, with the fact that he spotted the economic collapse of 2008 long before the vast majority of economic commentators attesting to his expertise. But this morning in The Belfast Telegraph, he combines economics and nationalist politics […]
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS by Donal Kennedy
Under the above heading THE TIMES OF LONDON (London Edition June 24 ) has the following – ” A picture agency error led us to misdescribe the 6th Marquess of Cholmondley, photographed with the Queen at the state opening of parliament in 1974 (News, June 21) . He was the Lord Great Chamberlain, not Black Rod.”. […]
‘The Final Trial & Tribulations of Mr Colum Eastwood MLA’ by Donal Lavery
“Enemies rarely come in the attire of foes; They pose in the guise and garments of friends.” – Old Japanese Proverb Anyone who was at the Uniting Ireland Conference on Saturday in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall will know what I mean when I say the atmosphere was electric. The hall was packed and people were eager, […]
Being a DUPer: how does it feel?
Right. An exercise in imagination for a summer’s day. Pretend that when you opened your eyes this morning, you were a member or a supporter of the DUP. Would the world on which you gazed have seemed one bristling with dangers and traps, you and your party at the mercy of powerful forces beyond your […]
‘Newton, Kate take note – leading NI Tory also puts the boot in to the ‘Orange’ DUP’ by Sammy McNally
With a Tory DUP deal probably only days away, the actual views of the NI Tories of the (un) suitability of the DUP as partners in the Westminster Government are still available on the NI Tory website(see below). https://www.niconservatives.com/news/who-do-you-think-you-are-kidding-mr-nesbitt Alan Dunlop Chair Northern Ireland Party Board tells us – “it is […]
BREXIT AND THE UK by Kieran Cairns
The Union has never been weaker. The Tories have drip-fed change on their terms for generations and finally the electorate are taking note in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Brexit has galvanised the idea of self-determination and the appetite change in society, not only for the hardened voter, but the youth of today; a revolt (albeit […]
JOHN BULL EMBARRASSED AT UNITED NATIONS? by Donal Kennedy
National delegates at The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday 22 June voted by 94 votes to 15 with 65 abstentions to support Mauritius in a bid to seek an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the dispute between the former British Colony and the legal status of the Chagos Islands in […]
‘Celtic, Linfield and the Elephant in the Room’ by Eddie Whyte
The powers that be have ruled that a European Champions League football match at Windsor Park on the same day as the Orange marches on the 12th of July would be a massive security risk and trouble would be unavoidable. So much for the marketing of the newly branded Orangefest as a family event with […]
Three key points from the ‘Agreed Future’ conference yesterday
Unlike the BBC or UTV, I was at the Sinn Féin conference An Agreed Future in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall yesterday. It was really about an agreed united Ireland, but the title helped people focus on how inclusive any future united Ireland could be. Three key questions were raised: Why do unionists prefer […]