Advertise
-
Books
-
Hearing the Other Voice from the Grave: Why Should we Listen to David Ervine’s Stories?
Ed Moloney’s Voices from the Grave: Two Men’s War in Ireland has received considerable attention in the press and in the public realm since its publication earlier this year. Although the book relates the experiences of the Provisional IRA’s Brendan Hughes and the PUP/UVF’s David Ervine, much of the discussion has focused on Hughes’ stories [...] read our review » -
Help me with the West Wing: Essential viewing or Party Political Broadcast?
Having somehow managed to avoid watching a single episode of the widely praised West Wing TV series I was delighted to discover the entire Box set in my Christmas stocking – and with enough spare time over the holidays to give it a good lash. But with 10 episodes of the first series under my [...] 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 Cardinal Brady should go – in charity
on 8 May 2012 at 1:59 pm
The secrecy oath would have been fine if it had contributed to conviction or some canonical process which is its purpose – it’s supposed to preserve the evidence so to speak, to that witnesses don’t speak with each other and taint the proceedings – except there were no proceedings.
As for the instinct of parents to protect their children, unfortunately the evidence in many cases is that wives protect their husbands before their children. And that parents protect their own children but don’t worry too much about others – that’s why so many parents wanted abusive priests sorted out without recourse to the police/courts.
Go to comment
Comment on Brady departure in sight
on 8 May 2012 at 12:31 pm
The Eucharistic Congress gets mentioned as being of importance – it is, but it is a Dublin gig – the host is the Archbishop of Dublin, not Armagh. Brady’s role would be limited and could be reduced even further without much ado.
Go to comment
Comment on RTE Prime Time: Lack of scrutiny and challenge within the department led them into “groupthink”…
on 11 April 2012 at 3:26 pm
And of course part of the RTE groupthink is a liberal anti-Catholic bias. They just couldn’t wait to get this story out. And now the tax payer/licence fee payer is stuck for €5 million in damages, God knows how much in legal fees and an utterly pointless fine of €200,000.
Go to comment
Comment on To Benedict, we Irish liberals are not going away you know…
on 11 April 2012 at 3:18 pm
“Pope is a Catholic” shock.
In other news the Man Utd Supporters Club have suspended two members who have announced they actually support Liverpool. Commentators have expressed outrage at this heavy handed treatement. “We all wear red and should be able to support who we like”.
“Reality” Magazine has been attacking orthodox Church teaching for years and if it were a private magazine that would be fine – but it’s not, it’s a publication of a Catholic religous order.
Go to comment
Comment on The Attorney General of Northern Ireland “accordingly considers it appropriate that the author and publisher of ‘Outside In’ should be punished for contempt of court”
on 28 March 2012 at 10:14 am
While agreeing that judges aren’t above criticism, still, hard not to enjoy Hain getting it in the neck. Should be a bit of fun.
Go to comment
Comment on Is a reformed and elected Lords a serious ‘come back’ opportunity for the SDLP?
on 28 March 2012 at 10:05 am
Is that how you spell “redding out”? I’m sure that didn’t appear in a committee report.
Go to comment
Comment on All set for (another) Irish referendum
on 1 March 2012 at 3:39 pm
“And it seems that Ireland is going to sign up in advance of any referendum. What happens if the people turn round and say no, is not clear at this stage.”
You have to sign a convention or treaty before you can ratify it – you sign subject to ratification and you’re only bound if you ratify. I suspect the consequences of a failure to ratify will be few. We’ll be back in the running around “the euro cannot fail; Ireland cannot default” type situation and this is what will happen. The Irish government will make a “solemn pledge” of some sort to stick to deficit commitments as it’s already doing with troika and money will be handed over. The fact the pact says you can’t get money unless you ratify is irrelevant as that only applies to those who ratify. They’re not going to throw Ireland out of EU or euro. I shall be voting no.
I’ve noticed the press has given no coverage to recent German court ruling that Merkel is acting illlegaly on this matter. Remember they said before she needed parliamentary approval to lend money. She set up a nine man panel. Court says that’s not sufficient.
Go to comment
Comment on Dead tree circulation continues to decline – Belfast Telegraph dropping at nearly twice rate of News Letter & Irish News
on 1 March 2012 at 10:56 am
When I was a kid I used to deliver almost sixty Belfast Telegraphs every evening and a dozen Ulsters on Saturday. It was a massive paper, far ahead of the others. That locks people into a paper. But when they stop they stay stopped. Irish News has deaths and horses and that’ll keep it going for good while yet I think.
Go to comment
Comment on “Fianna Fáil does not believe in a two speed Europe”
on 29 February 2012 at 10:12 pm
I was watching Vincent Browne last night and thnking “why on earth are Fianna Fail sticking their neck out on this treaty?” There is nothing in this for them politically. If it gets through Kenny gets the benefit. If it falls FF are losers again. And yet there was the FF spokesman defending it while FG failed to provide a spokesman. And now they’ve split the party. Eamon O Cuiv represented the last hope for many old time Fianna Failers – socially conservative, nervous about Brussels encroachments. Michael Martin is ridiculous.
Go to comment
Comment on “When, one wonders, will Catholics hear a letter from the pulpit on the vital question of torture – and the support for it from a leading Catholic candidate for the presidency?”
on 23 February 2012 at 2:46 pm
Brian – firstly, this law obliges all employers, not just those receiving federal funds.
Secondly, lets remember where the Federal funding comes from – it’s tax payers money, not the Government. A hospital doing vital work in the community should be able to receive funding without having to act against its conscience.
Go to comment