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Books
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Against Remembrance – Seminar & Book by David Rieff
Is the best way to overcome the legacy of conflict simply to forget about it? Author and journalist David Rieff spoke on this subject last week in a seminar at the Institute for International Integration Studies (IIIS) at Trinity College Dublin. Rieff has recently written a book titled, Against Remembrance (published in Ireland by Liffey [...] read our review »
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Unionists, Loyalists, and Conflict Transformation. A book about how things are changing.
Unionists, Loyalists, and Conflict Transformation in Northern Ireland is a new academic tome by lecturer and researcher Lee Smithey. In the book the Pennsylvania academic outlines his findings based on 67 interviews over eighteen months with grassroots activists in unionist and loyalist communities and organisations. This is largely a book about men, even though they [...] read our review »
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What has The Third Man got to say about Northern Ireland?
Short answer: very little, other than he enjoyed the environs of Hillsborough Castle, enjoyed working with the local politicians, and has Gerry Adams to thank for Bobby his dog. Peter Mandelson’s book The Third Man has captured media headlines in recent weeks as the Times serialised the most juicy bits. But what did he have [...] read our review »
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Comment on Mary McArdle to leave post
on 14 March 2012 at 5:00 am
If SF is as cynical as it should be, it would ditch Caral and appoint Martina Anderson as Arts Minister soon, just in time for the (UK) City of Culture celebrations.
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Comment on Tom Elliott hands the poisoned chalice on
on 12 March 2012 at 11:31 pm
Tomorrow when he announces his candidacy, John McCallister will say he will take the UUP into Opposition if elected party leader, according to Belfast Tele Facebook page.
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Comment on #CATJRF: Lough Neagh and the importance of timeliness in transferring assets…
on 4 March 2012 at 4:01 am
The current earl is a new dad after marrying a German vet, suffered a terrible back injury a few years ago, used to be a techno DJ known as Nick AC, has philanthropic inclinations, some business credentials, is one of the richest UK citizens of his generation and his brother was murdered.
I doubt he’s given Lough Neagh much thought, though he does sound quite interesting for an aristocrat.
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Comment on Republicans thinking about being courageous in reconciliation (unionists say tell us when you’ve made your mind up)…
on 2 March 2012 at 9:58 pm
Having watched Donldson and Mitchel McLoughlin’s pathetic performance on Hearts & Minds, I would expect zero movement on this issue from either side.
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Comment on Artless protest? Or a disappointing protest that hasn’t yet occupied the agenda of the public or the church?
on 28 February 2012 at 4:27 am
Paul
Just watched that TED link. Fascinating, though slightly worried by the sight of Eyesenk in another link – think I might have protested one of his University of Ulster proteges at one stage. Too early in the morning to read it now though.
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Comment on Street Photography – ethics, etiquette or free expression?
on 23 February 2012 at 5:03 am
If a bona fide journalist walked around Belfast and took photographs with the same intent……..would the Irish News, News Letter, Belfast Telegraph feature a series of photographs of people under the title “People Who Didnt Want To Be Photographed”? I think not.
Not under that title, but it happens virtually every day, in many newspapers. Leaving aside the public interest argument (court snatches, pap shots, doorstep shots), Brendan Murphy used to do a series every day in the Irish News of a candid street scene. He’s a fantastic photographer, and I have no idea if he obtained permission, but I think the whole thing largely comes down to common sense.
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Comment on In praise of… Borgen
on 8 February 2012 at 3:10 pm
Kinda sad that the only political drama worth watching is from abroad. I’m enjoying Borgen; it ain’t perfect, but it’s less schmaltzy than West Wing. More please!
I’ve heard Spiral is very good, Might try that soon, although there’s a US show called Homeland that I might give a go.
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Comment on Prometheus Unbound…
on 28 December 2011 at 12:08 am
Isn’t there a new Blade Runner coming out? Ridley’s finest moment was a dying Rutgers Hauer (of all people!) recalling those attack ships in fire off the shoulder of Orion. “All these moments will be lost in time… like tears in rain.” Mesmerising.
Anyone who thinks Nolan is overrated should see The Prestige.
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Comment on Expert too ill to be cross examined in Massereene trial…
on 19 December 2011 at 3:44 pm
Indeed, I mean it worked so well for the Omagh bomb trial.
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Comment on Paisley’s long goodbye comes to a (near) final end…
on 19 December 2011 at 3:37 pm
Whatever else about Paisley, he was a powerful orator. When you cast your eye over the Assembly and watch MLAs these days mumble their speeches, head bent down to read the page, it makes one despair slightly.
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Comment on LHC: “Evidence soon emerged however that this particular squib might be of the damp variety…”
on 16 December 2011 at 6:10 pm
The neutrino says, “I was just passing through anyway.”
The barman says, “We don’t serve your sort here.”
A neutrino walks into a bar.
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Comment on Protestant monarch, but secular schools?
on 9 December 2011 at 2:39 pm
You say tomatoes…
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Comment on “a shared future/shared society will require a natural, evolutionary breaking down of barriers – be they psychological or physical.”
on 6 December 2011 at 2:13 pm
The British symbols … most likely also included a harp or a shamrock.
That Robinson seems to be the only unionist to have seen a Prison Service badge speaks volumes.
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Comment on “a shared future/shared society will require a natural, evolutionary breaking down of barriers – be they psychological or physical.”
on 6 December 2011 at 12:18 pm
This is quite interesting. I remember a few years ago when Alliance members redesignated as ‘unionists’ for a day to save Trimble’s ass. I would say that the difficulties and unwillingness to do so at the time demonstrate how wedded Alliance peeps are to designate as anything other than ‘other’ – a hateful, bland term that no-one in the party really likes.
However, it was certainly noted at the time while the party agonised that tactical designations could allow it to control key votes in the Assembly, on occasion. There was some number crunching done, but it’s such an important totem to the party that future tactical re-designation looked like cheating and unprincipled. Trimble never realised just how lucky he was, the ungrateful wretch. He almost makes me wish Alliance had just crashed the Executive; we might have ended up with an earlier St Andrews Agreement.
My argument would be that, yes, it is unprincipled, but that since there are so few principles evident in the Stormont system – look at the Rubicons SF and the DUP have crossed – the party should consider seizing power where it can in order to effect change. If it shifted the outcome of a few cross-community votes, it would make a mockery of the sectarian system, which might be enough to kill it.
And if Alliance worked the system to their own advantage, it might end up with the other parties who want to move away from designation.
However, I haven’t done the sums, so can’t say how effective such a move would be with the current Assembly make-up. I fear it’s wishful thinking.
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Comment on David Carr #NYT and fearless journalism…
on 25 November 2011 at 11:47 pm
I’m halfway through this documentary, and it is, frankly, excellent. Every reporter needs to see it. I noticed David Simon, former Baltimore Sun crime corr made an appearance. You should have a watch of the last series of The Wire, which he wrote, for a great account of the same industry hand-wringing.
I’ve a funny feeling I might be burying my head in my hands in 45 mins or so.
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Comment on Belfast’s built heritage: under threat, or hindering progress?
on 22 November 2011 at 8:46 pm
Ah yes, more empty apartments. Just what Belfast needs in a housing crash.
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Comment on Does no one in the Northern Irish media check the provenance of political stories?
on 16 November 2011 at 3:15 am
A few points:
The local media has run stories and comment questioning if the economic case for the A5 stacked up, as a simple search reveals. Most seem to pre-date Mr Parsley’s own analysis, which only came about once Enda Kenny said he was committed to it – and if that didn’t set alarm bells off, I don’t know what would. So the story wasn’t a huge ‘surprise’, although perhaps it was to Mr Parsley.
Unemployment figures are reported faithfully each and every time they are published, usually fairly prominently by everyone. And there have been plenty of stories about water infrastructure, or lack thereof.
The McGuinness “back on track” statement in Dublin appears to have come from PA, possibly via UTV. OFMDFM can spin all they like, but it was in the context of the reports that the project had already been shelved. That’s called reaction. They’re entitled to it, but it doesn’t mean they will be believed. The public isn’t as stupid as some would lead you to believe.
If people don’t read the ruddy papers, they’re hardly in a great position to judge…
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Comment on Graphic portrayals: Northern Ireland, graphic novels and the peace process
on 10 November 2011 at 10:06 am
Crisis was a great comic, with Troubled Souls and For a Few Troubles More only a small part of its highly political content. Anyone remember Third World War? It looks quite prophetic these days.
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Comment on “The real horse trading [over Justice Ministry] is likely to happen between party leaders…”
on 8 November 2011 at 10:29 pm
Given what’s going to happen in the Prison Service and what did happen to Legal Aid, I reckon Ford may be saving us a few more million quid in position than out of it.
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Comment on Adams damning McGuinness with faint praise..?
on 2 November 2011 at 11:57 am
I think Ulick makes an excellent point – it could be a subtle reminder to the Irish left that one good turn deserves another.
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