Brian O'Neill

Managing Editor of Slugger O'Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.

Photo of the day – Milky Way Ablaze over An Port, Donegal

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Photo by Brendan Alexander, Taken on November 15, 2014 Brendan says: The final shot from my trip to the enchanting famine village of An port in southwest Donegal, Ireland (15th November 2014). In the image the Milky way shines over the the lobster pots, boats and a solitary cross commemorating the passing of a Scottish man in the late 1800’s. Brendan has some fabulous photos on his site, well worth a look. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage …

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Photo of the day – Continental Market, Belfast City Hall

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Photo by Roger Bradley, Taken on November 18, 2014 The Continental Market is back at Belfast City Hall. Depending on your view either it’s an English company bringing outside traders in to hoover up the Christmas cash at the expense of local traders or a wonderful chance to experience a wide range of foreign delicacies and crafts. Either way the punters love it and it will be jammed.   Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care …

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Photo of the day – The Spire At St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast

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Photo by Brian O’Neill, taken 14 November 2014 The Spire on top of St Anne’s has been there for seven years but it was only last Friday that I realised the spire actually goes inside the church. The next time you are in there have a look above the altar to see the bottom of the spire. It is very cool, like something from a bond movie. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking …

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Photo of the day – DRD NI Cycling Strategy in a nutshell

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Photo by Matt Johnston A tree AND a signpost in the middle of a cycle lane. A bit of paint does not make a cycle lane.   Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a …

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Photo of the day – Mount Stewart – Festival Of Light

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  Photo by Nigel, Taken on November 9, 2014   Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.

Photo of the day – Orange Order Christmas Cards

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Even the most ardent Republican must admit, the parading penguins are kinda funny. The perfect Christmas card for the shinner in your life, gets yours here… The Christmas tree decorations are also worth a look. Photo via Orange Order.   Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am …

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Photo of the day – Fisherman, Inch Strand, Co. Kerry

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Photo by Roy Greer, Taken on November 7, 2014 I must admit to having a pang of envy every time I pass a fisherman. Fishing looks so relaxing and contemplative. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front …

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Photo of the day – Nelson McCausland sings!

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Photo by Belfast Barman Who knew Nelson had a side line as a gospel singer? We are trying to track down the tape to put it online. Has anyone got a copy? Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When …

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Ebola won’t kill you, but the cigarettes, drink and junk food will…

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Ebola hysteria has reached Belfast. A patient in the Royal is being tested for Ebola, nothing is certain but already it is the lead story in the news. Anyone who has watched the rolling news channels like CNN will know they have been giving wall to wall coverage of Ebola, like it’s the Zombie Plague. Republicans in the recent mid-term elections ran attack ads blaming Obama for Ebola, ISIS and immigration. It is the usual case of never let the …

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Photo of the day – Poppies on Muckish Mountain, Co. Donegal

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Photo by Nicholas McCloskey Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.

Read about the future plans for Slugger…

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Eagle eyed readers might notice the banner at the top now says over 75,000 readers a month. Since the revamp a few months ago Slugger has been revitalised and is going from strength to strength. We have added over 20,000 new readers since the revamp! Slugger is also leading the way in breaking stories. This week alone several of our posts have been the top story on TalkBack, UTV News Etc.. Contributors Slugger is a team effort and we are …

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Photo of the day – UUP Election Poster

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Another exhibit from the excellent museum at the Roddy McCorley Club Belfast. There is no date on the poster but I am guessing early 80’s? Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, …

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Photo of the day – Ian Paisley, Icon?

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You may have seen various posters of Ian Paisley appearing in the Cathedral Quarter Belfast, Corporation St car parks Belfast, the Holylands Belfast, Ballycastle, Antrim and even London. They are by a local artist TLO. I asked him for some background to the work, this is his reply: I am an artist and the Doctored Paisley posters are from a series I made in response to the visual legacy of the Troubles and the cult of Paisley in particular. I wanted …

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Photo of the day – Father Eldred and Jack

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Photo by Martin O’Connor, taken the 5th November 2014 Jack was abandoned near the Cistercian Monastery Portglenone and was taken in by the monks there. Jacks religious beliefs are unknown but he seems a very happy dog. His coat is the same colours as the habits of the Cistercians so that is a happy coincidence 🙂 Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My …

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Photo of the day – Newcastle, County Down

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Photo by Barry McQueen, Taken on November 1, 2014 This gorgeous photo from Barry reminds us of the natural beauty we have in Northern Ireland. Tourism in NI is one tenth of what it is in the Republic. Imagine the boost to the economy if we had lasting peace and stability. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. …

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Photo of the day – Lurgan at night

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Photo by Mark Ferguson, Taken on October 22, 2014 I have never been to Lurgan. I think it suffers the same bad reputation other towns with a hard L sound have. Larne being another example. What I do know is Mark’s photo makes it look absolutely lovely 🙂   Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My …

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Why lowering the Corporation Tax rate might be the biggest mistake Stormont ever makes…

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Before reading this post please note I am not some raging lefty. I have worked for myself my whole life. I personally would benefit from a reduction in Corporation Tax, but as a citizen I think it is completely the wrong strategy. On the Nolan Show this morning it disclosed a DUP proposal to slash public sector jobs and use the savings to fund a cut in Corporation Tax. The idea is that this will boost private sector jobs and …

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Photo of the day – Remembrance Garden, East Belfast

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Photo by Roger Bradley, Taken on November 1, 2014   Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.

Photo of the day – Strabane Halloween Fireworks Show 2014

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Photo by  Gareth Wray, Taken on October 31, 2014 This stunning photo from Gareth, captures all the colour and splendour of last night fireworks in Strabane. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I …

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Photo of the day – Deli Dealer, St Georges Market

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Photo by Davymac, Taken on October 25, 2014 St Georges Market Belfast is going from strength to strength and was recently named the UK’s Best Large Indoor Market 2014 by the National Association of British Market Authorities, beating off stiff competition from internationally renowned markets like Spitalfields, Billingsgate and Borough. A common complaint with tourists is that there is nothing to do in Belfast on a Sunday morning. Is it time for the market to open on Sunday morning? What do you think? …

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