Kilsally With the success of the Celtic Tiger economy and to a certain extent the peace process, the island of Ireland has seen an unprecedented influx of immigrants over recent years. Obviously this is a good thing and a sign of a successful economy. However it brings with it the problems of racial and ethnic tensions. Figures on both sides of the border show a marked rise in racially motivated attacks. Extreme right wing groups such as the BNP are not …
The Mid-Ulster Section of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association – Northern Ireland Branch, held the 50th annual Mid-Ulster Pipe Band and Drum Majors Championship in Cookstown High School Sports Arena today. It was good to see a big crowd and a lot of bands in attendence, including the world class Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band from Lisburn. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on …
According to officials in Dublin, the Boord o Ulster Scotch should be spending Irish tax payers money more neutrally. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
Democratic Unionist MEP, Jim Allister QC, has written to the Prime Minister urging him not to endorse the European Constitution because it would be adverse to the interests and independence of the UK. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
A row has broken out between the Irish American Caucus and the Irish American Republicans. Father Sean McManus of the Irish American Caucus has accused a conservative think tank of being anti-Catholic for hosting a talk by former FARC commander Carlos Alberto Plotter. Mr Alberto Plotter is due to give a speech on links between Columbia`s FARC and the IRA. Father McManus has called on the Irish American Republicans to denounce the group hosting the conference. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for …
There are some curious parallels and affinities between Gibraltar and Northern Ireland and the political situations in both jurisdictions. During World War 2 a great many Gibraltarians were evacuated to Northern Ireland and indeed the tallest building on `The Rock` is named Ballymena House. Gibraltar was also host to the controversial SAS shootings of an IRA gang. The UK Government recently lost a test case in the European Court of Human Rights and has been forced to grant Gibraltarians a …
Proposed changes to Irish citizenship laws have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the electorate in the recent referendum in the Republic. The electorate has voted 79% to 21% in favour of changing the current laws, removing the automatic right of children born on the island of Ireland to Irish citizenship. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
Derry`s new Sinn Fein Mayor Gerry O’hEara has had quite a controversial first week in office. He has called for a joint Remembrance Day service involving the Royal British Legion and Republicans. The self-confessed IRA man has called on The Honourable the Irish Society to “play its role in advancing the process of peace building and conflict resolution” by transfering ownership of Derry`s Walls to the people of the city. Mr O’hEara has also blamed the police for recent riots …
During the last week the Edenderry branch of the Ulster Unionist Party has disbanded and a UUP Newtownabbey Borough Councillor has defected to the DUP. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
An interesting link up will be happening in July between the Kilkeel Border Reivers Festival and the Reivers Festival in Hawick, Scotland. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
A couple of projects are currently in the works aimed at bringing Ulster-Scots language, history and culture into the school curriculum. The Institute of Ulster Scots Studies has started a research project designed to assess the current provision of Ulster-Scots educational material and initiatives. The Ulster-Scots Curriculum Development Unit at Stranmillis University College in Belfast is also preparing material for Primary and Secondary education. It is also worth noting that ‘Kist o Wurds’ has returned to BBC Radio Ulster for …
With Labour Party membership now available to people from the Province, today will see these members organise into an official Labour Party Group at a meeting in the Ulster People`s College in Belfast. However the right to organise a Constituency Labour Party to contest elections resides with the party`s National Executive Committee. There is also the awkward official Labour Party position of working towards a United Ireland by democratic and peaceful means to contend with. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a …
DUP election candidate Jim Allister has welcomed the increasing expectation that the UK Independence Party will win several seats in the upcoming European elections. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
D-Day commemorations have been taking place around the world. Former Royal Ulster Rifles Sam Lowry and Bill McConnell have recounted their experiences. Locally – Orangemen and other veterans gathered for a memorial service in Belfast. Veteran`s from Northern Ireland will visit the shores of Normandy this weekend with help from the National Lottery. There will also be commemoration events and exhibitions in Bangor and L`Derry. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. …
A cross-community event tracing Ulster-Scots and Irish traditions in the North West over a 400-year period is due to take place in Londonderry on Monday night. Is this yet further evidence of the growing appreciation of our cultural differences and similarities? According to Alastair Simpson, a Board member of the Ulster-Scots Agency, events like this along side the Maiden City Festival and the musical On Eagles Wing, are making Unionist and Protestant culture more accessible to the wider community. KilsallyIT …
Irish Masons have initiated legal proceedings challenging the obligation on Police Officers to declare their membership of organisations such as the Masonic Order, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Orange Order, Apprentice Boys, Knights of St Columbanus and the Royal Black Institution. The Order`s lawyer argued that the obligation to register membership was a breach of the right to private life as laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & …
A disaffected Sinn Fein member and convicted IRA killer has defected in the run up to the European elections. Mr McGeough has thrown his weight behind Independent anti-abortion candidate Mr Barrett because of his strong Catholic convictions and Euro scepticism. He contends that Sinn Fein are now dominated by radical gender feminists and “ceasefire soldiers”. Mr McGeough also likens the “deluge” of immigrants to the Protestant plantation of 300 years ago and says he supports Mr Barrett’s “Catholic patriotism”. This …
Is there room for two or more identites on this island? If there is then how do we accomodate the smaller minorities, including unionists? Recent negative media attention surrounding eleventh night bonfires and other aspects of unionist tradition and heritage will do nothing to alleviate the growing loyalist disillusionment with the peace process and general alienation . For a start rather than demonising an entire culture, it would help if bonfires were not petrol bombed when properly organised and more …
A conflict resolution group in Ballymena has backed a police clampdown on drinking in the streets during band parades. Community Voice – Transforming Conflict, has issued the backing, ahead of the first major band parade of the year, organised for tonight by Ballykeel Loyal Sons Of Ulster. Community Voice consists of representatives from the Presbyterian Church and Church of Ireland, business leaders, community workers and former loyalist prisoners, including Billy McCaughey. Mr McCaughey the secretary of the group has said …
North Down Borough Council has announced a weekend of events commemorating the 60th Anniversarry of D-Day. HMS Inverness will be available to visit over the course of the weekend of June 4th – June 6th. The Somme Heritage Centre will also be opening a new exhibition, the Royal Irish display team will be present and Brian Boru will also be attending. The Orange Order is also organising an exhibition throughout June and July which will include many artefacts on loan …
