Monthly Archives: December 2021

Mass Rocks (Dungeon, Fire & Sword?)

Posted on December 29, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

American academics who are interested in Civil Rights rarely understand that integrated education (Catholics and Protestants) was not a basic demand in Norn Iron. Educating black and white children together was a prime demand by Civil Rights activists in Alabama … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alliance Party, Anthony Babington, Bosworth, Cardinal Wolsey, Christian Brothers, Civil Rights, Dominicans, Edmund Campion, Elizabeth I, Faith of Our Fathers, Guy Fawkes, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Integrated Education, John Fisher, Lady Jane Grey, Laudabiliter, Martin Luther, Mary Queen of Scots, Mass Rock, Norn Iron, Oliver Plunket, SDLP, Sinn Féin, Sisters of Mercy, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas More, Tudor | 2 Comments

New Years Honours List (Norn Iron)

Posted on December 29, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

About two months ago, up to 150 people in Norn Iron will have got letters from a department within the Cabinet Office in Downing Street. They will have been told that “Her Majesty the Queen” (sic) has decided to award … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alliance Party, Arlene Foster, David Ford, Deirdre Heenan, DUP, Elizabeth Windsor, Gerry Fitt, Margaret Ritchie, New Years Honours, Queen, Quintin Oliver, SDLP, UUP | Leave a comment

New Years Honours List (General)

Posted on December 28, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

The Belfast Gazette (like its London and Edinburgh sister publications) is a weekly “government” publication. Usually it just lists things like bankruptcies and “royal” business. Twice a year, it lists the New Year and Birthday “Honours”. About 45 years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BEM, CBE, Honours System, Ian McKellan, Judi Dench, Knighthood, MBE, OBE, Peerage, William Roache | 3 Comments

The Queen’s Speech

Posted on December 28, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

The annual Christmas speech by Mrs Elizabeth Windsor is one of those things that is impossible to explain, mainly because I don’t actually watch it. It is a curious throw-back to the 1950s. Listen to any left wing “woke” British … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Commonwealth, Diana Spencer, Duke of Edinburgh, Elizabeth Windsor, Meaghan, nationalists, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles, Queen, Royal Family, SDLP, Sinn Féin, unionists | Leave a comment

Councillor Carole Howard……..ex-Alliance

Posted on December 24, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

It is now ten days since Alliance Councillor Carole Howard (East Belfast) defected to Ulster Unionist Party. I had hoped to read an in depth analysis of this on Slugger O’Toole. Alas I am disappointed. Surely the defection of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alliance Party, Assembly Election 2022, Carole Howard, East Belfast, Slugger O'Toole, UUP | 8 Comments

“Belfast” : The Movie

Posted on December 23, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

So I have just heard that a movie “Belfast”, directed by our very own (is he?) “Sir” Kenneth Branagh has been short-listed for an Oscar. Some things are beyond Satire. About 99.9% of us who have lived thru The Troubles … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arts, Belfast, Confederacy, Conflict Resolution, Derry Girls, Extras, Kate Winslett, Kenneth Branagh, Martin Lynch, Michael Collins, Mississippis Burning, Movies, Oscars, Resurrection Man, Ricky Gervais, Schindlers List | Leave a comment

Appalling Vistas

Posted on December 1, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

In the summer of 1966, a man called John Patrick Scullion was murdered in the Clonard area of West Belfast. It is the first killing of the (modern) Troubles. He was shot outside his home and died two weeks later. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Conflict Resolution, Gusty Spence, IRA, John Patrick Scullion, Royal Ulster Constabulary, RUC, Terence O'Neill, Texas, Troubles, UVF | Leave a comment