Even before his Famous Five goals – the economy, inflation, national debt, NHS waiting lists and small boats – Rishi Sunak announced another goal In his first major speech since being made prime minister. “In a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, letting our children out into that world without those […]
Irish reunification: a year nearer?
As we enter the unknown world of 2023, should we be pressing for a border poll on Irish reunification? Should we be preparing for Irish reunification? Or is Irish reunificationa pipe dream that will disintegrate on contact with the real world? There you have it – three different angles from which Irish reunification can be […]
Leo, unionism and the hanging tree
‘Radical’ and ‘reasonable’ – do those two words have the same meaning? Even a similar flavour? Not to my nostrils, and yet except the two can come together and make nice, Stormont will stay shut for the foreseeable future and maybe forever (stop crying, Virginia). The radical thing comes, of course, from the […]
From recent reports, hundreds of people in Britain are dying because of delays and problems with emergency care. Can anything be done about it right now? Medium term? Long term? Last year, apparently, over one million Irish passports were issued. Why was that? Is it because everybody wants to be Irish, or is it for […]
President Biden’s Appointment of A Special Envoy to NI – by Mike Cummings
AMERICAN BREXIT COMMITTEE 1919 CHESTNUT ST, SUITE 1724 PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 SPECIAL ENVOY APPOINTMENT SHOWS PRESIDENT BIDEN MEANS BUSINESS January 1, 2022 Philadelphia, NYC & Wash D. C. The ABC welcomes President Biden’s appointment of Joseph P. Kennedy III as a Special Envoy […]
What’s in a name?
There’s a report in The Irish Examiner today headed “President Higgins praises Pope Benedict’s ‘steadfast interest’ in Northern Ireland”. That’s news to me, to be honest. I hadn’t realised the late Pope was interested in us at all, let alone steadfastly. But I see no reason why Michael D would lie. (Yes, Virginia, granted Michael […]
BATTLES LONG AGO AND MATTERS OF ATTRIBUTION – by Donal Kennedy
I’ve just opened a 2023 Calendar from Viking which sends one every year since my wife and I took a cruise on the Rhone a few years ago. It lists holidays, Christian and Moslem and other breaks from work. It lists St Patrick’s Day.for Northern Ireland, and also the 12th of July celebration […]
Other views of De Valera’s Ireland – by Donal Kennedy
A good antidote to Elaine Byrne and other Begrudgers is an amateur colour film available on You Tube of Howth Regatta and Lambay Races in 1942 when I was less than 8 months old. It has had a musical soundtrack added a few years ago. It is a vindication of De Valera’s statesmanship. It […]
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PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT RECENTLY REVEALED STATE PAPERS, POLITICS IN 2022, STEALING BOOZE, AND PELE What a year this has been! Three prime ministers in Britain, Sinn Féin the dominant party north and south, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, leaving English footballers all confused when they have to sing their national anthem. And […]
DOUBT, CERTAINTY AND UNBELIEF Part 2 by Donal Kennedy
As an unusual treat I bought myself a Guardian today. I doubt I’ll have another 81st Birthday. Its Letters page has three splendid pieces by Anglican clergymen demolishing a bigoted and ignorant piece by Polly Toynbee attacking religion. I’ve worked, eaten and partied with Jew and Gentile, Hindu,Moslem and shared a […]