Culture

The controversy over the name of Derry/Londonderry is off again. For nationalists it’s a case of getting rid of a politically charged placename, but for the minority unionist commuity, it’s about acknowledging their history. And SDLP councillor Thomas Conway has widened the conflict by suggesting that the case for changing the county name also be considered. Update: See Dave Wood’s interview with Billy Baygely of St.Columb’s Cathedral. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the …

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The Irish Independent announces that Harry Potter The Golden Stone is to be released next Month in Irish as Harry Potter agus an Orcloch – which will make the works of J.K.Rowling available in 200 Languages. Ambrose Uprichard

Alexander McCall Smith is one Scotland’s writers of the moment. His novels about a black female detective agency have attracted both major sales and critical acclaim (an uncommon feat). In his time as an academic at Queens he recalls a younger David Trimble,and the charged atmosphere around what passed for normality in the early 70s. 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 …

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The Irish Independent carries the news, echoed in the Belfast Telegraph, that Joseph O’Connor has sold the movie rights to his acclaimed novel ‘Star of the Sea’ to “Britain’s biggest movie production company”, Working Title Films.That news will either gladden or dishearten the novel’s many fans, who include certain Slugger regulars. Working Title has produced international successes in recent years but this would appear to be a departure from their usual formula. Time will tell if they can satisfy the …

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The Irish Independent carries an article by Peter van de Kamp which has the welcome news that there is a new book by Brendan Kennelly, typically named “Familiar Strangers”.A murky morning was rescued by I don’t propose to go on about cries, but I’ve been hearing a lot of them lately, mainly from within. It stems from a childhood in North Kerry. That’s where the snipe wear Wellingtons and swallows from Africa swim through the summer For me this puts …

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Having lost (albeit temporarily) our archives, I’m not sure if I have already posted this spirited argument against the campaign to have Irish recognised as an official language in the EU. 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

Not, strictly speaking, within the remit of the site, but allow me a little latitude. Johnny Ramone, real name John Cummings, one of the founder members of the punk of all punk bands, The Ramones, died yesterday after a 5-year battle with prostate cancer. The Guardian leads the tributes. A moment’s silence please, followed by raucous celebration of the life and music of the man with a plan… 1-2-3-4! Pete Baker

Frank Delaney lists his “Top 10 Irish Novels”.I was pleased to see he includes “Thy Tears might Cease “ by Michael Farrell, although less convinced by “Star Of the Sea” by Joseph O’Connor. Joyce, Edna O’Brien, McGahern, Flanagan, Bowen, William Trevor and JG Farrell are all represented. I would replace the O’Connor book by Redemption by Francis Stuart or The Informer by O’Flaherty and Finnegans wake by Colm Tóibín’s Blackwater Lightship. How do other sluggers rate his choices ? Ambrose …

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Seamus Heaney writes on the life and work of his fellow poet Czeslaw Milosz, from last Saturday’s Guardian Review, while threading a simultaneous discourse on the nature and power of poetry.Within characteristically dense but measured prose Heaney pays tribute to Milosz and his “wish that poetry in general should be capable of providing an elevated plane of regard” while the poet should seek to imbue the work with “awareness of the triteness and tribulations of other people’s lives [that is] …

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While Slugger had it’s problems Dave Wood carried on writing on his excellent website.Thanks Dave. There’s a book in this, and I’ll want you to sign a copy for me! Ambrose Uprichard