What We Choose to Pick – Are We Fighting the Wrong Battles?
1087
Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen. Seamus Heaney, “Blackberry-Picking” I visited the Seamus Heaney HomePlace this month, and on Bank Holiday Monday found myself out among the hedges picking blackberries, coming …
Is Drumcree the excuse they need to pull down Stormont?
4575
I have been quiet lately as I find the current atmosphere even more depressing than usual. Drumcree was a particularly bleak time in our history and I, like most of us, had assumed the issue was put in a concrete …
Twenty Five Years On – the more things change, the more they stay the same…
4508
This year sees a quarter of a century pass since one of the basest, most depraved ‘protests’ in our conflictive history – the Holy Cross ‘protest’ in North Belfast. While there had been a number of shameful protests before Holy …
Can Northern Ireland’s AI Strategy deliver?
1092
Earlier this month, the Executive published its long-awaited draft Artificial Intelligence Strategy. While it recognises that AI can support economic growth and the public sector, the strategy also gives consideration to the vast risks the technology generates. As such, the strategy’s eight principles for responsible AI include human oversight; accountability and redress; data governance; technical safety …
Chambré Weekly Bulletin- 01/09/2026
264
What you need to know Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first visit to Northern Ireland this week, as part of his cost-of-living “listening tour”. He sought to take the constitutional question “off the table” and focus on bread-and-butter issues instead. …
No Place For Predators In Policing
1042
The overwhelming majority of police officers are decent, courageous public servants — but a small minority exploit the trust and access of their uniform to prey on vulnerable women seeking help. Rooting them out demands better vetting, sharper supervision, a properly focused Police Ombudsman, and a whole-system commitment to ensuring those entrusted to protect victims are worthy of that trust.
Rope-A-Dope: Trump vs Iran
2322
On October 30th 1974, the world was treated to a boxing spectacle for the ages in Kinshasa. The legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle ’ saw Muhammad Ali turn the strengths of the formidable George Foreman back against the reigning champion. …
Open Sunday – discuss what you like…
7289
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday.
Open sunday – politics free zone…
2015
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday.
On one of the last days of summer, swallows coast the currents. Where a kite might fly…
449
Swallows skim the path, gone in a flash. Soon they’ll leave – towing the dreams of summer south, far from St Saviour’s Parish Church, set here above Greyabbey’s Gothic cloisters of ruined stone. Rooks caw-call the hours to roost. Light …