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Books
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…if University education were universally available and availed of, the country would collapse in one generation
Tweet The words of Brian O’Nolan, variously Brian Ó Nualláin, Myles na gCopaleen, Myles na Gopaleen and, of course, Flann O’Brien. That O’Nolan was referencing his own dissolute student days at UCD only mildly distracts from the prophetic undertone of his words: I paid no attention whatsoever to books or study and regarded lectures as [...] read our review »
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Philip Orr’s New Perspectives – Politics, Religion and Conflict in Mid-Antrim, 1911-1914: Book Review and Website Launch
Tweet A valuable resource on local history went digital last week with the launch of a new website called ‘New Perspectives’ on Home Rule,hosted by the Braid Mid-Antrim Museum in Ballymena. The content of the website is based on a book by Philip Orr, New Perspectives: Politics, Religion and Conflict in Mid-Antrim, 1911-1914, published last [...] read our review » -
Titanic: was it all right when it left here?
Tweet Not according to metallurgists Tim Foecke and Jennifer Hooper McCarty whose research has suggested that dodgy Harland and Wolff rivets were at fault for allowing the Titanic’s hull to be ripped apart by the pressure of the iceberg impact. With six of the hull’s chambers exposed to the Atlantic waters, the “unsinkable” ship lasted [...] read our review »
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Comment on The tricolour and its multiple meanings: Open thread
on 6 April 2013 at 1:59 pm
I hear you AG!
The not so subliminal advertising might be working
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Comment on The tricolour and its multiple meanings: Open thread
on 5 April 2013 at 4:07 pm
DR. Good question
New Zealand seems to be on the way to a new flag as they’ve lost patience having theirs confused with the Australian flag. The favourite seems to be something based on the fern leaf the all Blacks use. So it’s interesting that the distinctive sporting flag may be getting a makeover to become the national flag.
Canada went for the Maple leaf in ’65 and you couldn’t ask for anything more Canadian.
Now if only we had a bit of vegetation that represented Ireland. Maybe even something associated with our patron saint
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Comment on What does the Irish flag mean to you?
on 5 April 2013 at 10:33 am
That’s ok Mick. Glad you took it off tbh.
I see from Paul Krugman’s “conscience of a liberal” blog that he thought the news was the biggest event of his day.
Given that Iain Banks has come out for an independent Scotland because he thinks that’s the best way to build the sort of society he wants to see even though some days he thinks himself more British and others more European I think there’s a relevant point somewhere – it’s the same thinking we’re getting from otherwise “unionist” northern liberals.
Anyway – I’ve gone on about a wider meaning for the Orange bit elsewhere – so I’ll just say the Irish flag is either a great idea, poorly explained and partially implemented or a piece of patronising stereotyping. I think the first. And I’m starting to appreciate the European connection more.
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Comment on What does the Irish flag mean to you?
on 5 April 2013 at 10:00 am
Someone’s flagged my last comment as offensive. Happy to have it deleted/amended. Sorry for the poor use of language. Iain has described himself as “officially very poorly” not the word I said. That might just be what he thinks.
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Comment on The tricolour and its multiple meanings: Open thread
on 4 April 2013 at 2:11 pm
At least your quadrants touch Barney. They’re not divided by a peace wall.
Looks a bit maritime though. Or a bit like a clown’s bow tie.
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Comment on The tricolour and its multiple meanings: Open thread
on 4 April 2013 at 1:13 pm
1848!
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Comment on The tricolour and its multiple meanings: Open thread
on 4 April 2013 at 1:11 pm
Er. Why not just keep the saltire and drop the orange Barney?
I still can’t find a user guide or the brand guidelines from Meagher. Apparently he rolled it out at a dinner in 1948 and said something like “speaks for itself, needs no further explanation”. Awkward bugger.
So – Orange can be constitutional monarchists, Whigs, the Orange Order or prods generally, but the last would mean Green was Catholics generally and that can’t be right as the United Irishmen used a green flag and they were prods.
So it’s not just religion – it’s political tradition – and that’s “unionism” and “republicanism”. So to be true to the flag a united and independent Ireland needs to be home to both traditions – and that’s a Republic in the Commonwealth.
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Comment on Can Northern Ireland pick up where it last left off in the 1960s?
on 4 April 2013 at 11:51 am
What’s “Far Term” mean?
If it’s further constitutional development – perhaps weighted majority voting and official opposition that was in the DUP manifesto, not just those of the 9 UC MLA’s.
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Comment on Can Northern Ireland pick up where it last left off in the 1960s?
on 4 April 2013 at 11:20 am
I’ve worked for a number of multinational businesses. All of them thought culture was important to commercial success.
Successful businesses and successful economies come from integrated societies.
FP are you blaming Mick for wanting to make a difference or blaming him for the problem?
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Comment on The tricolour and its multiple meanings: Open thread
on 4 April 2013 at 10:18 am
If only!
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