Profile for JR
From South down but living in South Armagh. Wouldn't be super knowledgeable on politics but have opinions none the less
Latest posts from JR (see all)
JR has posted 2 times (0 in the last month).
Nollaig Shona Duit
There are currently 6000 languages in the world. Of these 6000 according to UNESCO approximately 85% are in danger of ceasing to exist within a generation. As everyone with a second language knows a language is more than a way to say the same thing in a different way, language creates short cuts in our [...] more »
What does this say about us all?
I was on the way home yesterday evening at around 6. While driving along through Camlough I saw an old lady on the side of the Road, just at the mini roundabout with her thumb out. It seemed very odd for a pitch black December night and the thermometer on the car was reading 1.5 [...] more »
Latest comments from JR (see all)
JR has commented 679 times (13 in the last month).
Advertise
-
Books
-
Ulsters Last Stand?: Can Unionism Move Beyond Insurance Policy Politics?
How has Ulster unionism arrived at where it is today – fractured and uncertain, yet dominated electorally by the DUP, a party that tells us it offers unionists sure footing in uncertain times? In his latest book, Ulster’s Last Stand? Reconstructing Unionism after the Peace Process (Irish Academic Press, 2010), Prof. James McAuley from the [...] read our review »
-
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 »
-
Of the Old North and other Vanished Kingdoms..
I’m currently trawling through Norman Davies’s fabulous new tome – “Vanished Kingdoms” – Five stars in the (London) Telegraph’s review from Ben Wilson: All the nations that have ever lived have left their footsteps in the sand,” writes Norman Davies. “The traces fade with every tide, the echoes grow faint, the images are fractured, the human [...] read our review »
-
Comment on Willie Flags Up An Interesting Question
on 21 May 2012 at 3:09 pm
I have every sympathy for Willie’s personal loss but no-one has the right to make dangerous, damaging, libalous claims about children.
Go to comment
Comment on Normality and rugby
on 18 May 2012 at 11:12 am
Andrew, that map is from 1972, the time I am talking about the whole area would have been gaeilic speaking.
Go to comment
Comment on Normality and rugby
on 18 May 2012 at 10:29 am
I have to say Derrydave, i really can’t understand an ulsterman supporting Lenster.
Antamadan,
I saw that doccumentary on IFA v FAI, it was very interesting. Was also amazed that the deal to re-unite the two associations was worked out at a meeting in Liverpool and would have come to pass only for a petty row that broke out between people at the meeting.
Finally, This 9 county Ulster is a bit of a myth, As anyone who has read the Tain knows the geographical boundary of Ulster was the boyne. That means it would have included louth. 10 couties!
Go to comment
Comment on Would the legalisation of cannibis help reduce the drug problem in Derry (and elsewhere)?
on 16 May 2012 at 10:37 am
I stayed clear of drugs growing up but I have had plenty of friends who indulged. The biggest long term side affect of drug use that I have seen has been underachievment. I wonder have there been any studies on that. Most of the people I knew in school who got into regular drug use are currently unemployed. I have also seen first hand people with quite a bit of sporting talent become complete couch potatoes.
Go to comment
Comment on If politicians in the south are feeling strong enough to ‘come out’, why not the north?
on 9 May 2012 at 2:23 pm
In my opinion the south is just a more tolerant place. When I went to university in Dublin I felt people were much more relaxed about those who stood out from the crowd. There was a very live and let live attitude.
I also experianced quite a contrast between the place I used to work in galway and where I work now in Newry. In Galway people talked more openly about things. They let their guard down more. From time to time conversations were of a more personal and deeper level. People were comfortable expressing more diverse opinions on things.
In Newry any subject other than TV or football is discussed in a hurried whisper. People are quicker slag you or to take you down a peg for talking about anything vaguly intilectual or espressing an opinion that is a bit differant.
Go to comment
Comment on The red tide returns – Labour win big in Wales.
on 7 May 2012 at 11:16 am
Dewi,
I wouldn’t ask DR, He has trouble telling the differance between winning and loosing.
Go to comment
Comment on Snap, Craickle and Pop: The Controversy of Popular Gaelicisation
on 2 May 2012 at 10:38 pm
Well Malcom, most of the words I put up are so phonetically similar and used to mean the same thing in both languages I am going to stick to my guns. There are alot of words used in speach around where I live that are pure Irish though I don’t think they are used throughout the english speaking world.
Examples,
Amadan – Fool,
Bodhar – deaf,
Bocht – Tired out,
Call (caill) – need,
Cardi – Trixter,
Clout – Thump,
Coup – Tip,
Fusaigh – Desert (after dinner),
Girseach – Young girl,
Gulpan – Greedy eater,
Hallian- wild person,
Pus- Sulky face,
Scud- a hit of somthing,
Scealp – slap,
Scoitar- Diarroea,
Smiderini- Small pieces.
Spree- Fun,
Sponc- Courage,
Clabaire- talkitive person or fool.
Tuig(twig) to understand
Go to comment
Comment on Snap, Craickle and Pop: The Controversy of Popular Gaelicisation
on 2 May 2012 at 2:53 pm
I’v herd it argued that it actually comes from Irish for Sour wine. The Irish for wine is Fíon, and sour is géar.Though Maybe that one can be left off the list. I will give you hooligan, gob and tory instead.
Go to comment
Comment on Snap, Craickle and Pop: The Controversy of Popular Gaelicisation
on 2 May 2012 at 2:11 pm
Salado,
Galore, Shantee, vinegar, snazzy, gurning, dig, as in do you dig it? Dude, Slugger, shack, Shindig,
I could go on and on. There are hundreds.
Go to comment
Comment on Official Languages Act falling into disuse in the Republic?
on 30 April 2012 at 6:50 pm
Sílim go ndéanfaidh mé sinn.
Go to comment