Chris Donnelly

To say the issue of nationality runs to the core of the conflict in the north of Ireland is less a controversial than a factual statement. The sensitive nature of the nationality question is recognised in the complex vocabulary of the Good Friday Agreement, which effectively endorsed the right of six-county residents to proclaim themselves (and be legitimately recognised ) as Irish, British or indeed both. Given the political minefield that we exist in, it is truly bizarre- if not …

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Tim Brannigan’s life story to date certainly makes fascinating reading. From the ‘elaborate, tearful lie’ (his words) that concealed his conception and birth to growing up a black man in Belfast in the 1970s/80s to his time as a republican prisoner in the 1990s and beyond, Brannigan’s life is one being retold as part of a BBC Radio 4 series entitled ‘It’s My Story.’ Chris Donnelly

Hot on the heels of the sectarianism in Fermanagh GAA row, Linfield Manager David Jeffrey has publicly called for action to be taken against Ballymena Utd supporters who directed sectarian abuse at catholic players of his club at last week’s game against Ballymena United. The response from Ballymena United has been critical of the manner in which David Jeffrey made his criticisms in the public domain, though it has promised a thorough investigation into the matter. Chris Donnelly

Margaret Ritchie’s ‘last chance saloon’ speech to the UDA certainly sounded tough and unequivocal, but already the details of her ultimatum seem to be unravelling, if the confident assertions of some loyalists are to be believed. In her speech, the Minister for Social Development clearly stated that funding would be withdrawn unless the UDA “has started to decommission its weapons.” Yet a quite relaxed UPRG spokesperson, Frankie Gallagher, has repeated on numerous occasions throughout the day that the Minister has …

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David Adams, formerly of the Ulster Democratic Party, let out a rant on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback today that would have done the seasoned MOPErs of Slugger proud (irrespective of background.) David’s gripe was essentially that ‘catholics’ were angering ‘protestants’ by having their own narrative about the past and raking over the wounds of the conflict to the irritation of unionists. It would appear that Davy’s own glasses need cleaned, for he clearly missed the foot-long shadow from the beam …

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Calling all footie fanatics and/ or armchair supporters: Fantasy Footie has returned to Slugger! Slugger’s Fantasy Footie League last year attracted 70+ teams and was eventually won by Lokomotiv Galway. If you fancy your chances or simply want to take part for the craic, visit the site for the rules and follow the simple steps to get your team set up. Here’s the code you’ll need to enter to join The Slugger League: 784747-132011. Spread the word and make sure …

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Paddy Kielty is the star in the latest showing of the Marie Jones play ‘A Night in November.’ The setting for the play is the infamous World Cup qualifier between the two Irelands, played at Windsor Park in November 1993. Kielty’s own observations about how the main theme of the play remains relevant today have been attacked by the (unduly sensitive?) chairperson of the Amalgamation of NI Supporters, Gary McAllister, who in a moment of petulance remarked, “I think you’ll …

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It seems that serial protester, election candidate and Love Ulster leader, Willie Frazer, has cancelled plans for a repeat parade in Dublin. According to Mr. Frazer, the good citizens of Dublin will be treated to a “cultural event” instead of a parade. He also indicated that Government figures in Dublin (including the Taoiseach) would be prepared to meet him in the Autumn. Chris Donnelly

The great Irish folk singer, Tommy Makem, passed away last night in the USA. Makem made his name alongwith the Clancy Brothers, touring the US and Ireland and entertaining thousands with their live performances. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Chris Donnelly

In every sport, there are landmark feats which provide a benchmark of excellence against which others are compared, defining greatness, cultivating legends and providing the inspiration for children to take up the sporting flame for a new generation. But we live in an era when the fastest man in the world, the champion of the toughest and most gruelling cycling race on earth and the celebrated figures of many, many sports have forever tarnished their own reputation and that of …

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The famous Free Derry Corner gable wall has been painted pink in solidarity with the city’s Gay community ahead of the Gay Pride Festival. Jim Collins, spokesman for the Gasyard Feile in Derry, said, “The feile decided they wanted to do something for the gay community and we thought this was a good public, creative and visual way of celebrating Gay Pride.” Chris Donnelly

The largest sporting organisation in Ireland and the one most likely to put the most ‘bums on seats’ (and, ergo, generate most revenue) in any new multi-sports stadium, the Gaelic Athletic Association, has firmly ruled out support for a stadium sited in Belfast. The news comes as troubled DUP DCAL Minister, Edwin Poots, continues to face internal opposition from within the DUP at the proposals for the Maze/ Long Kesh site. UPDATE …OR so the Minister says. As George has …

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In the run up to this year’s 12th July, I initiated a number of threads challenging unionists to tackle the sectarian and triumphalist aspects of the pinnacle of the annual loyalist Marching Season. The responses were (unsurprisingly, some might say) lively and most managed to address the substantive issues raised in a thoughtful manner. In a similar vein, I’m throwing out this thread and would be particularly interested in comments regardless of your political baggage. As Marching Season’s go, this …

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The final episode of The Sopranos was screened tonight on RTE. One of the greatest television programmes ever, it lasted for six seasons and became the subject of many books, blogs and websites– not to mention a Youtube video which became a must-see for Sopranos Fans ahead of the final set of episodes. Such was the status of the programme that a tour bus industry has been set up visiting familiar sites in north Jersey, while fans across the US …

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Irish fans of the Premier League will have much to discuss this season with the arrival of Lawrie Sanchez and Roy Keane to the elite division as Irish managers with plenty of Irish faces amongst their squads (here and here.) It looks like local fans will be adopting either Sunderland or Fulham as their 2nd (and 3rd?) teams this season- incidentally, it would be interesting to know if sales of replica shirts across Ireland from these two clubs with little …

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Tyrone have triumphed in Ulster, outgunning a gallant Monaghan side 1-15 to 1-13, whose ‘reward’ for defeat was a 3rd Qualifying Round Draw pitting them against a Donegal team with much still to prove to live up to pre-Championship promise. Meanwhile, Derry will face Laois in the Qualifiers after the latter fell to a 3-goal blitz from the Dubs- ABD remains my catchphrase, by the way, though the Dubs did look impressive in patches. Meanwhile, Antrim footballers will be taking …

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The main 12th July/ ‘Orangefest’ parade through Belfast last week included a banner dedicated to honouring Joe Bratty, the UDA leader behind the killing of 5 catholics at Sean Graham’s Bookmakers on the Ormeau Road in the early 1990s. The Orange Order has previously found itself facing an avalanche of criticism when members on parade through the area taunted locals about the killings (see picture.) Chris Donnelly

There has been condemnation following the revelation that loyalists erected a placard with the name of a recently deceased 16 year old catholic boy atop an 11th Night bonfire in Coleraine. After personally removing the sectarian item, the father of the child has been informed by the PSNI that loyalist paramilitaries have threatened to target him. The incident comes as bonfires across the north were lit adorned with pictures of Sinn Fein members, Irish national flags and ‘KAT’ placards. Last …

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Today was Drumcree Sunday, though you can be forgiven for not realising that. From being an event which precipitated mass violence across the north, leading directly to numerous killings (as Susan McKay charted recently), the Drumcree parade has been relegated to a footnote on the local news bulletin- and thank heavens for that. Yet, in spite of periodical reports from some quarters (most recently here and here) about reviving the controversial march, it appears that the best hopes for the …

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The decision by the DUP leadership to make the historic leap into power-sharing politics through participation at Executive level in the north of Ireland has not been followed by the party’s elected representatives at local Council level. As the Belfast Telegraph has revealed, only 4 of the north’s 26 councils will be chaired by a nationalist Mayor/ Chairperson in the coming year. The fact that all nationalist-controlled councils practice some form of all inclusive cross-community power-sharing, whilst few unionist-controlled councils …

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