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Irish Neutrality is not for sale; Great to Get Out; Time for Presidential...
Irish Neutrality is not for saleThe Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to dominate the news agenda. Lines of tanks and armoured vehicles inexorably move toward Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities....
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Moore Street Exhibition for West Belfast: Moving Backwards?: Investing in...
Micheál MacDonncha with Howth rifleMoore St Exhibition for BelfastFor the last two weeks the alternative plan for the development of Moore Street prepared by the Moore Street Preservation Trust has...
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UDR Declassified by Micheál Smith: Radio Ga Ga
UDR Declassified by Micheál Smith On 1 April 1970 the Ulster Defence Regiment of the British Army formally took its place in the ranks of the British Army. The UDR was a locally recruited militia...
View ArticleCelebrating the Easter Rising: The process of change is unstoppable
Celebrating the Easter Rising On Sunday Irish republicans across Ireland and globally will commemorate and celebrate the men and women who rose up against the British Empire and in favour of an Irish...
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Celebrating the Easter Rising: The Process of change is unstoppable
Celebrating the Easter RisingLast Sunday Irish republicans across Ireland and globally commemorated and celebrated the men and women who rose up against the British Empire and in favour of an Irish...
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Don't underestimate the power of a singsong; Rióísn Reimagined.
THE MUSIC MEN. My recent tales of singsongs in the H Blocks have triggered more reminiscences of other such events. Two in particular stand out. Both were after Long Kesh was burned down. That was in...
View ArticleMay 5th - The Peoples Day
May 5th - The Peoples DayOne day to polling day and the pundits and pollsters have been filling the airways and column inches with their take on who will be the big winners and who will be the losers....
View ArticleCandidatitis
CandidatitisI first published this article in 2005 and then, slightly amended in 2016. It is dedicated to all candidates from all parties and none and their families as well as all the valiant souls...
View ArticleA transformative election: Attack on Human Rights Act is attack on GFA
It was never supposed to be like this. I watched with interest as one BBC presenter, reporting on the Assembly election results, told his largely British audience that the northern state was...
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Lá Mór Dearg: Employers must talk to workers: Murder of Shireen Abu Akleh:...
Lá Mór DeargThis column was written before the huge weekend march in Belfast in support of Lá Dearg - more on that next week. However, a few words on the Irish language. Every day I learn a little bit...
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British government cannot be trusted with our future: Acht na Gaeilge –...
Sunday marked 24 years from the historic referendum in May 1998 that saw almost three quarters of people in the North vote in support of the Good Friday Agreement. Despite the twists and turns in the...
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The Planter and the Gael: Time for Truth: The Springhill/Westrock Massacre
Last week US Congress member Richie Neal, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill, led a Congressional delegation from Washington to Brussels, London, Dublin, the Blasket’s, Derry and...
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Confronting sectarianism: A wedding and a strike: I am not guilty – I want to...
Confronting sectarianismThe posting online of a vile video showing members of the Orange Order mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey has been widely condemned. Last week in another video Pastor...
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Three books: International Brigade against Apartheid: Secrets of the People’s...
Three BooksI thought it would be a good idea to dedicate an occasional column to books. We can return to Brexit, the Protocol and other such matters at another time. So in this column I am reviewing...
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The Collectors Story: No Smoking
Tom with Minister Deirdre Hargey and miseThe Collectors StoryI have known Tom Hartley for 55 years. During that time he has given decades of service to the republican cause. He has been an organiser,...
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Bingo; The Protocol debacle; A masterclass of song and music
Bingo keeping a wary eye to passing Brits while Joe Austin, mise agus Danny Morrison were showing Ken Livingstone and Kathy Bundred the Falls Road 1983 Bingo.My recollections last week on my...
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Do Your Job Leo!; The Springhill/Westrock families deserve truth: Looking...
Do Your Job Leo!Some of our political leaders in Dublin repeatedly reduce their offices to the status of an observer. This affects many matters which fall within their responsibility. Quite often we...
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Scots set date for Independence referendum; After Boris what next?; LiUNA and...
Scots set date for independence referendum. The Government of Scotland has moved decisively by setting the date for a referendum on sovereignty and independence. 19 October 2023 is that date. Its...
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I love benches: Stand up against sectarianism
I love benches. I like to spend as much time as I can outdoors. Now in case I give the wrong impression let me make it clear that I am not all the time walking or hiking. I do do that sometimes but...
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Sweets I used to know: Britain’s legacy of shoot-to-kill
SWEETS I USED TO KNOW.There was a Sweetie Shop across from Saint Finian’s School, just above Leeson Street on the Falls Road. It had a large advertisement for Blue Bird Toffees as part of its...
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