Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) – Page 52 – Slugger O'Toole

Some final bonfire porn from last night

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 12, 2011, 7:50 am

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Pitt Park bonfire soon after it was lit

Pitt Park – lower Newtownards Road – could be characterised by alcopops and the bonfire being set off fifteen minutes early … and then clambered over by the teenagers who had lit it. The SDLP election poster for Magdalena Wolska joined the city’s Lord Mayor on the bonfire, along with a message for Neill [sic] Lennon. The large bonfire in King George V Playing Fields was lit on time, but took light very fast, spoiling the anticipation and slow build-up …

Late night stroll with Niall Ó Donnghaile around Short Strand

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 12, 2011, 1:00 am

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Niall Ó Donnghaile

To get a different perspective on the Eleventh Night and the Twelfth Day, I went for a late night walk with Niall Ó Donnghaile around Short Strand about half an hour before midnight. While some young folk were congregating around the Mountpottinger/Albertbridge Road junction, the area was largely deserted – the only noise being the PA belting out music in Pitt Park, about a hundred yards away over the wall. Now a Sinn Féin councillor, and this year Belfast’s Lord …

Five minute guide to building a bonfire

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 11, 2011, 10:00 pm

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Bonfire in King George V Playing Fields in East Belfast

Three years ago as part of an organised tour that looked at the history around 1690 and then took in bonfires, parades and even the field, I ended up in King George V Playing Fields after midnight to witness the big East Belfast bonfire. Late this afternoon I talked to Rob about the construction effort that has gone into this year’s bonfire at that site. The guys were putting the final pallets on the top and ‘decorating’ the bonfire with …

Donegall Road/Broadway bonfire ablaze 16 hours early

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 11, 2011, 9:04 am

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There was disappointment and a hint of anger in the voices of the group of teenagers who were the first to arrive at the Donegall Road/Broadway bonfire this morning. Days of effort destroyed. (link to video) Sixteen hours early, someone – and fingers were pointing at another community – had lit the unguarded bonfire. The blaze was well underway when the fire truck arrived, briefly pausing before driving off. What the pictures can’t depict is the wall of heat that …

Reminder: BBC Trust consultations into BBC News Channel, BBC Parliament and 5 Live/Sports Extra end soon

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 10, 2011, 5:53 pm

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Quick reminder that the BBC Trust’s public consultations about BBC News Channel, BBC Parliament, Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra finish in the next few days. BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra – online survey (closes Wed 13 July) BBC News Channel and BBC Parliament – online survey (closes Tue 19 July) Each service provided by the BBC is reviewed at least once every five years. The online surveys will pick up your views on …

David Dunseith RIP

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on June 30, 2011, 9:34 pm

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David Dunseith

Through some of the darkest days of the NI troubles and in the absence of a local political assembly, [Talkback] provided a forum for debate where no other existed. BBC News online reports the sad news that David Dunseith has died. With a career spanning television and radio, UTV and BBC, the Sony award-winning journalist and presenter was perhaps most associated with presenting the lunch Talkback programme on Radio Ulster, before latterly moving to host Sunday’s Seven Days. Alan Meban …

And the #belw11 winners were … Paul Maskey (26% of the electorate) and the EONI (165 minutes)

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on June 10, 2011, 2:24 am

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Paul Maskey blowing out candles on a muffin - it's his birthday

It was going to be hard for either of them to trip up. Paul Maskey’s coronation to continue Sinn Fein’s reign in West Belfast would have required some kind of enormous scandal to have brewed up earlier this week to spoil his chances – and even the ongoing, rumbling Mary McArdle story wasn’t enough to do that. The Electoral Office wanted a slick, faster-than-expected result to cancel out some of the bad publicity surrounding the referendum and Assembly election counts …

The small matter of a Belfast West by-election #belw11 … and two questions

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on June 9, 2011, 7:03 pm

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It’s difficult to get excited about the Westminster by-election. Polling stations have been open again across West Belfast for the second time in five weeks. This time, it’s a simple one-ballot first past the post election to see who will replace Gerry Adams TD in Westminster. The count will start soon after 10pm in the Kings Hall, with boxes verified as they start to arrive from across the constituency. It struck me this morning that where else in the UK …

“Reconfiguring the relationship between the church and wider society”

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on June 4, 2011, 10:51 pm

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Norman Hamilton going down the stairs

Speaking on Friday afternoon, Dr Norman Hamilton – the outgoing moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland – called for “the reconfiguring of the proper relationship between the church and wider society”, while the moderator designate Dr Ivan Patterson said he “would welcome” the invitation of Cardinal Brady to the opening night of the General Assembly. After twelve months in the role, Norman Hamilton has seen a lot of church and state: chairing boards and committees; acting as the denomination’s …

BBC Trust is looking for your views on BBC News Channel, BBC Parliament and 5 Live/Sports Extra

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 28, 2011, 6:59 pm

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Slugger readers will be delighted to know that the BBC Trust is currently reviewing the service licences for BBC News Channel, BBC Parliament, Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra. Each service provided by the BBC is reviewed at least once every five years. You have until mid-July to provide your feedback. BBC News Channel and BBC Parliament – online survey BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra – online survey The online surveys will pick up …

Did Ruth Patterson not get Peter’s memo?

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 27, 2011, 1:30 pm

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The general opinion on Slugger – never mind media commentators and conversations in pubs and livings rooms – has been that the DUP have been edging towards the centre ground. Throughout the election campaign, Peter Robinson avoided criticising the deputy First Minister and generally avoided needling Sinn Fein – and Martin McGuinness reciprocated with his frequent references to “Peter and I”. While pockets remain in the DUP that still articulate their distrust and discomfort at working so closely with Sinn …

Castlereagh’s Deloitte report clears Iris Robinson

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 26, 2011, 11:11 pm

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The Deloitte report into the awarding of the Lock Keeper’s Inn contract to Kirk McCambley was delivered to Castlereagh Borough Council tonight and gave everyone concerned – Iris Robinson, as well that of other councillors and council officers – a clean bill of health. After the private meeting of council, the DUP’s Jimmy Spratt said: Iris Robinson has been totally exonerated and that is very clear … There is absolutely no criticism of her at any point throughout the report. …

Sinn Féin select 25 year old Niall Ó Donnghaile to be Lord Mayor

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 26, 2011, 7:58 pm

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Niall Ó Donnghaile

Niall Ó Donnghaile was only elected to Belfast City Council three weeks ago, but tonight was confirmed as Sinn Féin’s choice for Lord Mayor. He turns 26 at the weekend and is the city’s youngest ever first citizen. Under the d’Hondt rotation, Sinn Féin will get three two Lord Mayors during the next four years. The DUP’s Ruth Patterson will be deputy Lord Mayor. Niall is a press officer with Sinn Féin up at the Assembly, and councillor for Pottinger. …

Altnagelvin goes ahead, but at what price?

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 26, 2011, 8:35 am

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Health Minister Edwin Poots said on Monday: Making a decision on the proposed radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin was my first priority as Health Minister. It was vital that I took the time to look at all the evidence properly to reach the right decision for the right reasons. I have now thoroughly reviewed all the relevant information and I have decided to make the necessary funding – both current and capital – available. This amounts to £56million being made available …

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’bama … something for the weekend

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 21, 2011, 8:43 pm

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Corrigan Brothers / Obama Moneygall image

The Corrigan Brothers generated a lot of publicity – including an appearance on Andrew Marr’s Sunday morning show – with their O’bama ditty which they ended up performing during the inauguration festivities in Washington DC. Here’s a link to the original. With the US president due to touch down on Irish soil on Monday morning, the Corrigan Brothers will be hanging around a Moneygall pub when Obama calls in Offaly to visit his ancestral roots. (UTV’s Ken Reid suggests that …

The election in numbers

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 20, 2011, 8:30 am

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sorting Belfast West assembly votes - May 2011

The Electoral Commission held their post-election seminar on Thursday morning in Belfast along with the Electoral Office (EONI) and Royal Mail. Representatives from local parties along with election staff and electoral observers were in attendance. 26 suspected absent ballot forgeries have been referred to the PSNI as a result of signature issues being “checked by a forensic expert at the NI Forensic Science Laboratory”. 78 postal ballots were found in a final sweep of NI Mail Centre on the evening …

#skodashuffle Executive Ministers announced

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 16, 2011, 11:47 am

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We’ll update the post as the names on the doors of the ministries are revealed. Sounds like many will be named outside the Assembly chamber rather than waiting to be announced as part of business. The Speaker may not be amused. Choice 1 DUP – Finance and Personnel – Sammy Wilson (for 2 years) then Simon Hamilton Choice 2 SF – Education – John O’Dowd Choice 3 DUP – Enterprise Trade and Industry – Arlene Foster Choice 4 UUP – …

éirígí announce further protests in response to UDA’s invitation to Dublin ceremony

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 14, 2011, 7:51 pm

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Eamonn Mallie blogged earlier today revealing that UDA brigadiers and representatives have been invited down to Dublin next week. The UDA’s five brigadiers and 4/5 representatives of their respective districts have been extended invitations to a wreath laying ceremony by Queen Elizabeth at Islandbridge in honour of the war dead. President Mary McAleese’s husband Martin has been involved with UDA leaders in community work for several years. South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald regularly visits Aras an Uachtarain. Confirming the invitations …

Alliance go back to college and work – what did their manifesto say about DEL?

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 14, 2011, 7:23 pm

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stephen farry alliance

In the end, I never got round to reading the 150 page Alliance manifesto before the election. On Friday night, the five main parties informally ran d’Hondt to select their ministries – and announced the informal selections via the Executive’s twitter account, controversially some suggest – allowing them to spend the weekend making informed choices about suitable ministers from their elected MLAs. With nine ministries selected, Alliance had no option but take the remaining Department for Employment and Learning as …

Buying votes in East Belfast … at £6 a pop

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 10, 2011, 10:40 pm

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Stephen Stewart tallying East Belfast Assembly ballots - closeup

Having interviewed him up at Stormont a few weeks ago, I bumped into 18 year old Stephen Stewart again at the East Belfast Assembly count last Friday. He was completing another stage of his off-curriculum political education by tallying some of the ballot boxes along with his campaign manager. Unlike the rest of the party tally teams who were jotting down first preferences on their clipboards, Stephen and Alex only had two areas on their forms: STEWART and ALL OTHERS. …