Imperial measures
The Guardian devotes an editorial to whether or not Ireland is now a richer country than the UK. Aaron_Scullion
wayback
Why a deal will be done…
Alex Kane, with an accute reckioning of the chances of a positive outcome to the review talks in the Autumn, and of getting that fair deal that will finally clinch a peaceful settlement to Northern Ireland angst-ridden grievances. So, does the Prime Minister really mean it? Is it all over for the peace process if the parties fail to cut a deal in September? According to Mr. Blair, addressing the monthly meeting of the Press in Downing Street, “…the alternative …
SDLP ‘objectives achieved, momentum lost’
A former SDLP director of elections has taken charge of the almost official Fianna Fail cumann in Derry. Speaking to the Sunday Business Post, Kevin Downey said ‘But circumstances have changed and in many ways the SDLP have achieved their objectives and lost momentum and many people are unsure of where they are going from here,’ Blank
Sectarianism in schools
While separate schooling is still the accepted norm in the both NI and Scotland, in Scotland there’s a desire at the highest level of government to actively do something to integrate education. So much so that the Catholic schools have formed a pressure group, the head of which told the Sunday Herald that putting people together artificially “would create fear”. Aaron_Scullion
What’s in a name?
Ballymun residents in Dublin are apparently up-in-arms at plans to have the names of men like Pearse and Connolly replaced by ‘twee Anglo-Irish names’ such as Orchard Grove as part of a redevelopment of their home. Aaron_Scullion
Death of NI great
Slugger did you all a disservice this week by failing to note the death of one of the greats of Irish football. Bertie Peacock, who had 32 Northern Ireland caps and more than 450 appearences for Glasgow Celtic, died at the age of 75 in a Belfast hospital. Apologies for the delay. Aaron_Scullion
Risking it all
Antrim hurling boss Dinny Cahill made a lot of noise this week about how his boys can beat Cork in today’s all-Ireland quarter-final. Antrim, Ulster’s premier hurling county, haven’t had a significant win in the championship since 1989. Win or lose today, the former Tipperary stalwart has, apparently, had a significant impact on the county during his three year stint. Aaron_Scullion
Google Ad-sense
Incidentally, if you do a search in Google for Dinny Cahill (see below), you get a Google ad from Sinn Fein offering you a book signed by the late Joe Cahill. Just thought it was interesting. Aaron_Scullion
Life long Republican dies.
Veteran Republican Joe Cahill has died, he was Vice President of Sinn Féin and a man who devoted his entire life to Republicanism (Martin McGuinness). Blank
Donaldson: DUP will protect any new Agreement
If the DUP gets the guarantees and changes they are looking from the September review, they will work to protect a re-negotatiated settlement from any further breakdowns, according to Jeffrey Donaldson in Glenties last night. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
The Celtic manager and the OBE
Suzanne Breen is surprised that the awarding of an OBE to an Irish born Celtic manager has not raised the hue and cry it might have done a few years ago. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Republicans: the middle class challenge?
Where can you insult your audience in the first paragraph and get neatly away with it? The Blanket of course. This week Marc Kerr, steps into previously unfamiliar territory of leftist, dissident Republicanism to give voice to the (un)complacent middle classes. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Dull choices for modern revolutionaries
Paul Dunne has thinned down the number of his offerings, but argubly thickened them on quality. He’s had a couple of must read pieces in the last weeks or so. His condensed account of the significance of the Robert Emmet rising of 1803 and the stark choice that faces some of Sinn Fein’s critics on the Republican left. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider …
Who needs Irish?
An interesting looking collection of essays on a subject that has often stirred strong emotions on Slugger. Thanks to Enda for the heads up! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
New Iraq = Old Ireland?
Interesting snippet from the Asian Times discussing the political powerplay in Iraq. In outlining the vision of the influencial Iraqi cleric Ayatollah Sisstani, history professor and blogger Juan Cole resorts to an example much closer to home: “What he wants for Iraq is something they can live with; he wants a parliamentary government, which would be Shi’ite-dominated, in which the Shi’ite clergy could intervene to shape legislation by their fatwas, by appealing to the consciousness of the Shi’ite legislators. I’d …
Careful with that DAB…
One reader has written to Slugger with a cautionary tale about digital radio he bought on a recent trip to Scotland. Having had someone in the shop to check that in his area of Kilrea that he was likely to receive – coded Amber. He takes up the story himself: “I saw a lovely little Grundig at a good price in Dundee. Less than £50. The guy on the desk to be fair checked on a website which said that …
A nationalist view of the Twelfth
Danny Morrison pens a public letter in response to Billy Hutchinson’s recent remarks, outlining his own view of the Nationalist experience of the Twelth of July with particular reference to recent events in Ardoyne. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Another security leak…
It’s clear that practising politics in Northern Ireland remains a potentially dangerous game. Sinn Fein’s North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly believes that a security leak may have put up to 400 individuals at risk from attack by loyalist paramilitaries. The concerns mirror those felt by Unionist activists and politicians in the wake of the alleged security breach that led to the most recent breakdown of Stormont. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts …
Northern Ireland: poorer but happy?
We work hard, are poorer than people living in the Republic, but we’re happy! Well according to Diageo’s Quality of Life Survey that is. We’re not quite Nigeria, yet. Though inequality in the Tiger economy remains a persisent theme (more here). Courtesy of Davros – the Indo’s take on it and Northern Ireland. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular …
New boy, new girls, old hand
MEPs have been active in Europe this week. Bairbre deBrun made her maiden speech (in the same session as Mary-Lou McDonald) and was selected for the Committee on Regional Development and a substitute on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Jim Nicholson, an old hand, was selected for the same committee as Bairbre, Regional Development also European Parliament Quaestor and Parliament’s Bureau Quaestor (The Quaestor positions indicate Jim’s standing amongst his parliamentary group as they are …