Ian Paisley Snr

Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley: a religious and political life fully lived

Turgon on September 13, 2014, 5:26 pm18 Comments | Readers 2468

Any analysis of Ian Paisley in life or in death is tempered by one’s own views of him but also ones own view of post war Northern Ireland events: such is the extent to which the man came to define though actually rarely dominate events. There is circularity to Dr. Paisley’s life: he began as an outsider both religiously and politically. He then became an insider politically destroying the UUP and although not becoming a member of the Presbyterian Church …

Exclusive: Ian Paisley’s belated acknowledgment of David Trimble’s legacy: the principle of Consent…

Mick Fealty on January 25, 2013, 12:08 pm127 Comments | Readers 182

Now, this is interesting. No really, it is. And for a couple reasons. One is what it says. And two, though I am not sure whether it made the print edition of today’s Belfast News Letter, that it was only on the site for about a hour last night before it disappeared. It’s Doctor Paisley’s weekly column. And (thanks to an eagled-eyed reader) it makes for fascinating reading, especially for those of you who are historians of the peace process. …

Ian Paisley to retire as Free Presbyterian minister

Turgon on November 14, 2011, 10:29 pm80 Comments | Readers 576

Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley is to step down from active church ministry. The 85 year old former moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has announced that he will be preaching one more sermon in the Martyrs’ Memorial at Christmas but is going to devote his time to writing his memoirs. Dr. Paisley has always been a politically controversial figure and frequently also religiously. The Free Presbyterian Church was initially founded in Crossgar when there was a dispute over …

Paisley and Prospero mark 2

Turgon on March 24, 2011, 6:56 pm21 Comments | Readers 436

This week Dr. Paisley left Stormont for the last time as an elected member of the Assembly. This is an update of a blog I did almost three years ago but I thought I would recycle it: At the end of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Prospero turns to the audience and says “Now my charms are all o’erthrown And what strength I have’s mine own.” Now at the end, it seems, of his political career (though he does of course remain …

“unionist unity in the sense of one grand political party is, in my opinion, a non-runner”

Pete Baker on July 27, 2010, 2:18 pm41 Comments | Readers 5

A BBC report picks up on an article in the News Letter by Lord Bannside, aka former DUP leader Ian Paisley Snr. Here’s the section which deals with the question of “unionist unity”. Questions 3 and 4: Is unionist unity essential for the achievement of your vision? And, if so, what does that mean? Unionist unity in its broadest sense within Great Britain is essential for the health of the nation. A unified sense of loyalty to the throne and to the constitution …

Photograph of the Day – The Dr

Moochin Photoman on May 2, 2010, 9:48 am8 Comments | Readers

well it is Sunday Moochin PhotomanPhotographer and visual artist based in Belfast. I have facilitated community based workshops with groups as diverse as visually impaired individuals in Dungannn, Travellers across Northern Ireland, Young Offenders and many community groups across Belfast. My work has exhibited extensively here in Northern Ireland in group and individual shows and has been shown in North America and i had my first solo international exhibition in New Zealand. I have been the recipient of a number …