Ambrose Uprichard David Monaghan, an American writer who lives in Cork, in the Guardian lists and describes his top ten books on Irish Journeys. I have only read three – ‘The Third Policeman’, ‘Puckoon’ and ‘The Gingerman’. Who has done better and suggestions for books he should have included ? Ambrose Uprichard
Central to the ethos of nationalism and republicanism is the figure of Mother Ireland.Now it seems women, so long side-lined in both constitutional and physical force Irish politics are fighting back. In the Times Ben McIntyre looks at the power of women’s protests since the French Revolution in Beware the apron and painted sheet.In a previous Blog, IRA: long dark journey ahead, Mick referenced a Guardian article looking at the three families who are demanding that the IRA act against …
Conor Sweeney in the Irish Independent reports that Sinn Féin’s difficulties are set to continue.As well as facing an attempt to stop the parliamentary expenses of the Ms’s McDonald and de Brún, the two largest parties have indicated that SF’s links to terrorism are to be discussed in the European Parliament. MEPs to debate Sinn Fein links to IRA. SF’s earlier attempt to embarrass and put pressure on the British Government in Europe via an Fhirinne means they can hardly …
Dermot Ahern has confirmed that some of the money recovered by police in raids around Cork came from the Northern Bank Robbery. However in a later story UTV reports “Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde said police were still not in a position to confirm that the money recovered in the Irish Republic was from the Northern Bank robbery.” Confused? So am I. Ambrose Uprichard
In a thoughtful article in the Sunday Herald, Rebel Hell, Ed Moloney suggests that the Northern Bank robbery was another crafty tactical move to force the hand of the IRA that was knocked off track by the unforeseen savage and barbaric murder of Robert McCartney.Moloney remembers that Adams manoeuvred the ranks of the IRA, who were unaware of his long-term aims, along the path of his peace strategy by allowing them to use the human bomb tactic which put the …
The quote from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ certainly seems appropriate for Gerry Adams and the Republican movement. John Burns in the Sunday Times reports in IRA blocked deal to save hunger strikers that the IRA spokesman in the Maze during the Hunger Strikes, Richard O’Rawe, has revealed that acceptable concessions were offered to Gerry Adams before the death of Joe O’Donnell, the fifth man to die, by ‘Mountain Climber’, an emissary of the Thatcher Government but the deal was vetoed by the …
How’s this for “paddywhackery” in the Belfast Telegraph ? Plea for Paddy’s Day holiday. Ghastly – forced “craic” and a girl in a shamrock bikini. Those interested in voting ? One small point.Follow the link to vote yes or no www.irwinsbakery.com/stpatricksdayoff and to validate the vote one ends up having to supply one’s name and address to a bakery. This is classified as “News”. I call it sexist exploitative advertising. And although I’m not terribly religious I think our national …
The Guardian assesses where we are after the drama of December and the events that followed, discusses the choices facing voters on both sides of the border who have voted or considered voting for Sinn Féin and wonders if it is time for Gerry Adams and co’ to step aside if they are unable to deliver the goods. Forward not back” At some point in this process, however, this effort demanded a fundamental act of reciprocity from republicanism – an …
UTV carries a Press association report,Sinn Fein in ‘rogue members’ call, of an ultimatum issued by Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghin O Caolain for “rogue members to leave the party immediately so there can be a speedy implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.“. The acknowledgement that there are rogue elements within Sinn Féin is in itself significant. This seems to be an admission that Sinn Féin have contributed to some of the recent problems and is a welcome change from the posturing …
It was sad to hear that there was trouble at last night’s historic game when Linfield returned to the Brandywell after 36 years. The game ended with a 1-1 draw with little trouble in the stadium. However after the match buses taking the Linfield supporters home were damaged when missiles, mainly stones and fireworks, were thrown by hooligans. Luckily nobody was seriously injured, but buses were damaged and several people were treated for shock. Football fans attacked after game Ambrose …
The Guardian carries two articles today. In the First, Paper to sue over minister’s IRA claim Dan Milmo reveals that 3 men associated with Today Ireland have instructed lawyers to issue libel writs against Michael McDowell. Elsewhere, Time to lose the men in berets, Gerry David Aaronovitch expresses frustration and outrage that Gerry Adams kept company with men in combat fatigues and berets at a commemorative event in StrabaneQuite a contrast. On the one hand Mairtin O’Muilleoir, Robin Livingstone and …
Even the normally staid Observer, regarded by many Unionists as being too soft on Sinn Féin, joins the ‘tabloid’ feeding frenzy. Today’s leader, Sinn Fein has to renounce crime, addresses the alleged links between Sinn Féin finances and the IRA, making one surprising claim along the way…The Northern Bank robbery and the smashing of an IRA money-laundering racket in the Irish Republic a few days ago demonstrate beyond doubt that the continued existence of the republican movement’s armed wing has …
Harry Browne in an excellent article in counterpunch,The Plot Unravels, raises an important issue. Normal restraint seems to have been cast aside in the media feeding-frenzy, and with the exception of Mr Flynn who has been given the benefit of the doubt, others named as having been arrested will surely have little chance of getting an unprejudiced trial.“Flynn denies any wrong-doing and may well be an innocent party. He is certainly getting the benefit of the doubt from most media, …
Am I alone in finding the sentencing in serious crimes farcical ? I applaud the announcement that the UDA man convicted of killing Richard Hamill must serve at least 17 years for his terrible crime. It’s tempting to suggest that life should mean life in cases such as these – Moore could end up being released at my age, in his fifties. But why should he through concurrency in effect receive no punishment for the other offences of which he …
After the money in the detergent box (geddit???) comes this little gem… ” Businessman Ted Cunningham, 57, who is based in Cork, made no comment as he walked from the Garda station in the city and left in a white van.” [my emphasis] Ted Cunningham is released Ambrose Uprichard
I was sad to hear of the death of that fine actor Dan O’Herlihy. In a long career he was active in Theatre, Television and Films, achieving an Oscar nomination for best actor in the 1952, losing out to Marlon Brando. My own favourite was his performance in Halloween 3: season of the witches although he might be better known for his performances in Robocop. Irish actor Dan O’Herlihy dies, 85 Ambrose Uprichard
Robin Livingstone, editor of the Andersontown News, has an interesting article in the Guardian, This crisis threatens to halt the advance of Sinn Féin, in which he assesses the impact of the Northern Bank Robbery and the McCartney murder on Sinn Féin.My only objection to this otherwise excellent article is that he ignores the terrorising of the families held hostage during the robbery. His comments about Wednesday’s IRA statement ring true, although the slightly acidic “keening” jars – Sinn Féin’s …
More details will doubtless follow and as a smoker I’m not going to let it bother me, but parents might feel differently about meals they were to prepare for their children. Ditto pregant women. From the Belfast Telegraph URGENT FOOD WARNING ISSUED The Food Standards Agency has issued an urgent warning after a potentially cancer-causing dye was discovered in more than 350 widely-eaten food products Full list from FSA’s websiteWhat is Sudan I ? Sudan I – your questions answered …
The Irish News carries an interview with Caomhghin O Caolain , ‘Compliant media colluding in bid to crush SF success’. On page 17 it also covers a picket by 50 SF supporters outside a meeting on policing in Newry last night – and to quote – Davy Hyland said people wanted to show their anger at “attempts to blacken the name of Sinn Fein and the republican movement.” Speaking before last night’s developments, Mr O Caolain said he was “galled†…
The Belfast Telegraph reports that “Rhyming Weavers & Other Country Poets Of Antrim And Down”, published by The Blackstaff Press is to be reisssued with a new foreword by Tom Paulin at £7.99.Preserving the local words and customs of rural life. With Industrialisation of the weaving industry this way of life was lost, but thankfully the great John Hewitt left us a record.To A Hedgehog, Samuel Thomson : “Thou grimmest far o’ gruesome tykes Grubbing thy food by thorny dykes, …
