Gordon Lyons,DUP MLA, is a big,open -hearted man. Listen to this: “While the Fleadh brought people together in a spirit of celebration that was open and welcoming, Féile has too often featured elements that divide and offend. Public tributes to convicted terrorists and the platforming of those who glorify a campaign of violence have no […]
Daniel Kinehan is innocent
Daniel Kinehan – you know him. The one they sent the Irish government jet to Dubai to arrest and bring to Ireland? Well, here’s something you don’t know: Kinehan is innocent. He has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation. He hasn’t been charged with murder or drug-trafficking. So what do you […]
Alternative Alternative Protestants: The Different Strands of Contemporary Protestant Irish Nationalism – BY Peter Irvine
Discussion of northern Protestant support for Irish unity often centres on a particular type: the liberal or civic-minded former unionist who retains a largely British identity but has gradually concluded that a united Ireland might offer a better future. Such people certainly exist and their voices are often worth listening to. But they […]
Mairia and the tainted Fleadh and Feile
If you’re a supporter of the SDLP, you may be conducting a victory dance around your living room at the news that Mairia Cahill has joined the party. If you are not a supporter of the SDLP or are in fact critical of that party, you may be conducting a victory dance around your living […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT PROF BRENDAN O’LEARY & A UI, SINN FEIN & ABSTENTIONISM, & SPAIN DEALS WITH ALL THOSE REFUGEES
Prof Brendan O’Leary spoke at the Feile today, and talked about the shrinking of the unionist vote,and how it’s tied to age -most of their supporters are older, younger Protestants are looking for something more, and are eager to hear the case for a united Ireland. Is the. Prod in the garden centre again a […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT INFANTINO & CORRUPTING FOOTBALL, PHONE-TAPPING & VINCENT KEARNEY,& MICHEÁL MARTIN
A cynic, they say, is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. At which point welcome Infantino (don’t know his first name) who is eager to privatize the World Cup, and has promised untold wealth to those countries who …play ball with him. Is he selling out football? Or has […]
Is it OK to be a Catholic and believe in nuclear deterrence:
If you are a Catholic – and maybe even if you’re not – you’re probably pleased to hear that Andy Burnham is a Catholic who, apparently, takes his Catholicism seriously. He may not attend Mass every Sunday but as everyone except right-wing recidivist Catholics know, attending Mass every Sunday says practically nothing about the quality […]
Zak and that Farage image
At this moment, Zak Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, is under severe pressure. That’s because he reposted an Instagram post showing a chap wearing a t-shirt standing beside a guillotine with the words “We’re only making plans for Nigel”. While you’re still reeling from the monstrosity of this news, let me tell you […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT , OH, THE GREEN&RED OF MAYO, SPORT AS OPIUM &THE NEED TO BEWARE OF IRISH SIGNAGE
What can I say? What can you say?What can we say? Despite being married to a Mayo woman I have never felt any great affinity to Mayo GAA footballers. But yesterday – have you ever experienced a sporting high to match it? Thank God Trump wasn’t around – he’d have been elbowing in to be […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT D ADAMS & SOUTHERN PROTESTANTS, TRANS & THE FEILE & GORDON LYONS, & OODLES MORE
DAVY Adams, former loyalist paramilitary, has an Irish Times piece today,where he says there’s a bias against Protestants in the South,and cites Heather Humphries who he says got awful sectarian abuse. He figures only when people have learnt to reconcile with each other should there be a united Ireland referendum. You think,Davy? Gordon […]