Reality check for unionism finally arrives: Better late than NEVER, NEVER, NEVER…..

person standing in cave

In encounters with Sinn Féin groups in what they chose to term ‘uncomfortable conversations’ and individuals promoting a future Ireland in line with their nationalist. usually republican ideology and agenda, I have failed consistently to get an answer to the question: “What will this new Ireland that you envisage look like?” The stock answer is usually spun around a need to engage on a range of matters- economic, cultural, educational, the long-standing movable feast of reconciliation and symbols. The territorial …

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Return of Stormont has zero impact on party fortunes – new poll confirms…

We have now had two opinion polls conducted since Stormont opened its doors for business again and both tell the same story. So far at least it has not moved the dial on party support by a jot. Today’s Liverpool University poll in the Irish News is within a whisker the same as the LucidTalk poll published three weeks ago and you can see from the graphs below how steady party support has remained for the last year. It is …

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Cillian Murphy becomes the first Irish-born winner of the best actor award…

Here’s some good news for a change: Cillian Murphy took home the Best Actor award for his role in the smash hit light-hearted romantic comedy about nuclear annihilation – Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy wins Best Actor for his role in #Oppenheimer at the 2024 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/UmRAiLO9Qg — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024 From the BBC: The film dominated proceedings, winning best picture, best director for Christopher Nolan, and best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. Murphy was named best …

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The Kenova report questions the whole basis of dealing with the past. But will anybody take up its challenge?

Chief Constable John Boutcher’s tone was measured but his words were scathing. On the face of it, his three most striking conclusions throw dealing with the past into the melting pot all over again. I want here to deal with the wider implications of the interim Kenova report  on Stakeknife,.    These can be seen already,   in advance of the final version due for publication after the victims and families have responded to their individual private briefings. Firstly the Stakeknife …

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From Belfast to Pamplona…

white and brown concrete building

Brian had said previously that he’d be interested in a blog about some of the contrasts between my home city and adopted city and I’ve finally gotten around to it so here goes with the stream of consciousness. As I’ve alluded to here a few times, my wife is Basque. We lived in West Belfast for seventeen years, spending every summer of those seventeen years here before finally deciding to come here to live full time several years ago and …

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Open sunday – politics free zone…

Street vendor with a suitcase

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not …

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Open Sunday – discuss what you like…

open sunday sign, signage, open

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily …

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Live Blog: England 23 Ireland 22 f/t

Live Blog: England 23 Ireland 22 f/t Expectations are hugely high for this Irish side – a situation which in the past has resulted in them becoming tentative and conservative. Can they handle the psychological pressure of being 12 point favourites for the match? They need to trust themselves and each other just to give it a lash from the off. Do not allow England to gain the initiative and get the crowd behind them. England are brilliant at defending …

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How Do You Solve a Problem Like Downpatrick?

Downpatrick is a strange place. It is like something from ancient Greek mythology where the Gods both bless and curse a place. Blessed in that it is a handsome place; the old streets have old world charm potential about them. English street, being the Georgian street containing the Cathedral, the view and ‘the grave’ (supposedly containing St Patrick, St Brigid and St Columcille), a 17th century coaching house and some cobbled side streets, it is very much a potential movie …

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Goodbye, Cinema Etiquette: The Clash of Mr Smelly Socks & the Popcorn Police…

2 women sitting on blue leather chair holding white and red plastic cups

I went to the cinema recently and had a serious sensory shock. However, it wasn’t due to the bright lights, explosions, or quick-witted dialogue: I was overcome by the brutal behaviour of those around me. Since when did people forget how to act at the movies? We’d arrived just on time and went straight in. I slid into my seat, munching happily on the goodies brought from the garage down the road: life was sweet. There was a sigh of …

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Stakeknife interim report released…

After 7 years and 40 million,  the Operation Kenova interim report has been released. Summary from the BBC A British Army spy operating at heart of the IRA during the Troubles in Northern Ireland probably cost more lives than he saved, an investigation finds Freddie Scappaticci, codenamed Stakeknife, was linked to 14 murders and 15 abductions; he worked in a ruthless IRA unit known as the “nutting squad” UK security forces failed to prevent some murders to try to protect …

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Voting begins on Irish referendums on Family and Care…

woman holding man and toddler hands during daytime

From BBC News: Voters will be given two ballots – one white and one green. The white ballot will ask if voters want to accept or reject the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution Bill – otherwise known as the family amendment. This proposes inserting the words “whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships” into the constitution. The current protection afforded to families under the constitution, as currently written, only extends to families built around a marriage. However, if …

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In politics, as in life, a bit of civility costs nothing and goes a long way…

Post No Hate grafitti

Last week, it was Michelle O’Neill at Windsor Park. This week, it is Emma Little Pengally’s turn to visit her first GAA club. Paying a visit to St Pauls GAA club in West Belfast yesterday, Emma even had a go at camogie. Commenting on her visit, the Deputy First Minister said: Only £3.70 a pint? This place is class. I will bring Richard back here for a session Ok, she didn’t. She said: Thank you to all at St Paul's …

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Looks like the jig is up…

Hey, it was fun while it lasted… Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily politics, preferring to write about big ideas in society. When not stuck in front of a …

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Ireland to become back-to-back Six Nations Champions?

Ireland can become back-to-back Six Nations champions with a game in hand if they can beat England with a bonus point next Saturday. However, such is the high that Ireland are currently on, anything less than another Grand Slam will feel like a disappointment. But neither England or Scotland are to be underestimated, and England in Twickenham and with Marcus Smith back fit, could be an altogether different proposition to the error prone team that showed up in Murrayfield. But …

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It’s not antisemitic to demand an end to mass murder…

a building that has a bunch of debris in front of it

As a law-abiding, retired school teacher, it came as a surprise to discover last week that I was part of the ‘mob’ that is threatening democracy – if you can believe our PM, Rishi Sunak. His Friday night condemnation of those of us who refuse to sit quietly as the children of Gaza are murdered is mainly based on the claim that marchers intimidate the country’s Jewish population by using the slogan ‘From Gaza to the Sea, Palestine will be …

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Belfast residents support further investment in Active Travel

The Sustrans Walking and Cycling Report 2023 was launched today. The 24 page report shows that Belfast residents would like more investment in active travel. Their survey showed that : 62% would like to see more government spending on walking and wheeling. 54% would like to see more government investment in cycling. 65% would support more cycle paths along roads separated from traffic and pedestrians. Polling was also carried out in Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Dublin and also showed …

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New Ireland’s Future’s report outlines the steps that could be taken towards a border poll vote…

Gerry Carlile is the CEO of Ireland’s Future Ireland’s Future is launching our latest contribution to the growing debate about constitutional change: Ireland 2030. We believe a border poll is likely before the end of this decade. Ireland must therefore be prepared and ready. As is well known, we have organised major public events, conducted inclusive civic and political dialogues across the island, and we have produced substantive policy papers to help shape the public discussions. The conversation about constitutional …

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Previewing the 10th Imagine! Festival of Ideas and Politics (Monday 18 to Sunday 24 March) #ImagineBelfast

What do you get if you mix policy and politics, expertise mixed with challenge, with the space to think and ask questions? The answer is probably something like Imagine! Festival of Ideas and Politics, now in its tenth year. Top enterbrainment as the festival strapline phrases it. Running between Monday 18 and Sunday 24 March, there are a hundred or so films, talks, gigs, walking tours, exhibitions, panels, workshops and theatre shows. Climate Improvement Districts // Tuesday 19 at noon …

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Right you two. Say sorry…

text

In their new role as the official opposition, the SDLP is allocated one day a month to set the agenda in the Assembly chamber. From Enda Mc Clafferty over at the BBC: The SDLP has tabled three motions for Monday: To ask MLAs to express their shame at the suspension of devolution over the past 10 years and to accept responsibility for the “decline in public services” during that time. Members are asked to apologise to public sector workers who …

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