He may be a young-Earther, but the DUP’s Edwin Poots has just been welcomed by GAA president Nickey Brennan at Páirc Esler, Newry, to watch the McKenna Cup game between Down and Donegal in his official capacity as Northern Ireland Sports Minister. Adds Presumably the MLA for Lagan Valley cheered when Down crushed Donegal..
With perhaps the longest title of any book I’ve read this year, The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday: Unexpected Encounters in the Changing Middle East gives an insight into the lives of people living in Middle East through the eyes of journalist Neil MacFarquhar. MacFarquhar’s father was a chemical engineer [...] read our review »
Which reminds me…. Platform for Change’s driving force Robin Wilson has produced a corrective to the notion that the lessons of the NI conflict are easily exportable. Like myself, Robin is associated with the Constitution Unit. He introduced his new book in a CU blog which I here reproduce. The water crisis in Northern Ireland [...] read our review »
More as a trailer than a review – as it’s out on Thursday– I draw attention to Fintan O’Toole’s latest polemic “Enough is Enough – how to build a new Republic“. Fintan has been promoting the book vigorously on this side of the water, on Radio 4’s Start the Week and here at greater length [...] read our review »
I’ve re-opened the thread for comments.
And as long as the commenters follow the commenting policy and keep it civil it will remain open.
Perhaps a re-focussing on the actual topic would be advisable.
“It really is incredible that they actually play the Southern anthem before every game. Are they really that insecure?”
Is this in reference only to the playing of the anthem when a GAA game takes place in Northern Ireland? If so, why would it make people in the North any less secure than those who attend GAA games in the Republic? I can’t see any difference, unless you take a completely unrealistic, snarky view that nationalists in the north should play God Save The Queen because they’re as British as the Tory party.
It really is incredible that they actually play the Southern anthem before every game. Are they really that insecure? – willowfield
its the irish anthem and flag, no amount of unionist filibustering will ever change that. whats insecure about playing your own national anthem. i think there is a community who is slightly more insecure so need to march in pumpkin scarves and funny hats where they ain’t wanted.
willowfield,
What’s “Southern Ireland”? Having a dig, are we?