From Drumcree to the Donbas…
1878
As a naturalised Irishman and as a European, I find myself thinking far more about the Russia Ukraine war than I do about Drumcree. The war is existential for Ukraine, and perhaps for liberal democracy in eastern Europe. Together with …
AI in NI schools: time found, learning lost?
259
The Executive Office’s draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy proposes that AI should help teachers grade and analyse pupil performance data. The Education Authority (EA), announcing its rollout of Copilot and Gemini, points to one supplier-funded study of Copilot. That study …
Leo Varadkar calls on Dublin daddy to apologise for walking out on us…
4677
From the Irish Times: People in the Republic will one day need to offer apologies to northern nationalists for forgetting about them “for a very long time” after partition, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said. Speaking in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, …
The Northern Irish Brain Drain is a Myth
1111
For decades it has been widely believed that many of our young folk who decamp from Northern Ireland to pursue further education elsewhere tend not to return. The logic was that with our many local problems there would be greater …
Very Different People
793
Episode One of the new series of ‘Blue Lights’ last week ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. But before we dive into that, another quick reminder of the ground rules for these reviews. We would urge those commenting on …
Hooray. The A5 can now be built. Twice in a fortnight a High Court ruling has been overturned by the Lady Chief Justice. Let’s hope this one has better luck
1775
At last, even an inflated cost of nearly £ 2 billion, a new dualled A5 can be built. Although the delay was represented as a Sinn Fein failure, better now to look at as a victory for all, particlarly in …
Sure isn’t the Garvaghy Road dispute a terrible mistake? Let’s tell the politicians to be kind to us and behave
2684
So much more real than the familiar ranting, Mick’s evocative post captures spot on how Catholic sentiment built up from the start of the Troubles, grew in intensity during the long killing seasons and has finally been enshrined in powerful …
Still our ghosts visit: Garvaghy Road, founding myths and the dangerous fantasy of victory
5049
The Garvaghy Road estates were formed in a few short years by families fleeing intimidation, and that founding story is still being renewed. The law may be clear on the Orange Order’s right to walk, but neither a court ruling nor tribal politics can resolve what only engagement will.
Drumcree: Perhaps Cultural Unionism and Constitutional Unionism have Parted Company.
8248
The return of Drumcree to our newspapers and political headlines has brought back troubling memories for many people in Northern Ireland. However, in trying to untangle this difficult problem, perhaps we also need to ask ourselves whether we are understanding …
If integrated education must change, what about the rest of the system?
517
Jack Russell’s recent article argues that integrated education must abandon the 40/40/20 aspiration and its “essentially Christian” character if it is to survive. His evidence on how young people and parents now identify is compelling, and I agree with much …