More criticism of Trimble in the Guardian. The leader in yesterday’s Belfast Telegraph calls for Nationalists to understand the perception of the outworking of the Belfast Agreement amongst Unionist voters is vastly different to their own:“It serves no purpose for …

Ciaran Irvine urges the debate on the future of the whole island to focus on what can be done with that future rather than to get caught up in bemoaning the miseries of the past. Discover more from Slugger O'Toole …

David Trimble seems to be at the receiving end of lectures from just about everyone these days. David Lister at The Times suggests that:“Mr Trimble, who has vehemently denied suggestions that he will stand down as party leader before the …

Mary McAleese reckons there is a significant shift in the way that violence is perceived in the post ceasefire era. “…she said she was more hopeful about the North situation today than she has been at any other time in …

For a sense of historical perspective, Timothy Lavin hunts back through the archives of the Atlantic magazine, and unearths some real gems from: Brian Moore commenting bleakly on the future of Ulster as seen in 1970; Henry Massingham writing in …

Not exactly Ireland, but Andrew O’Hagan grew up in that unsettled extension of Northern Ireland’s political and cultural norms, the west of Scotland. This piece for the London Reveiw of Books is an excellent account of what it takes to …

The Guardian seems to like reading the Letter. They’ve listed us in their roll of favourite weblogs. Discover more from Slugger O'Toole Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email. Type your email… Subscribe

It seems as if Johnny Adair’s outfit is something of a roll, and attracting new members from his former allies. Meanwhile DUP minister Nigel Dodds has landed a major funding package to be aimed at ‘interface areas’ that have taken …

Tá go leor den na drochscéalta faoin ‘Peace Process’ atá fagail ann linn faoi lathair, ach leis an meid de rudai uafasach atá ag dul araidh measann Robert McMillen gur ábhar dóchais an méid atá ag titim amach i mBaile …

A key piece of attitudinal research was released today. On the face of it the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2001 confirms the widespread belief that the two communities are increasingly divided on on every matter of substance around …