Author Archives: fitzjameshorse

David Bowie RIP

Posted on January 11, 2016 by fitzjameshorse

Strange day. Woke up to the news that David Bowie has died. Rest in Peace. But I must be honest …I never liked him or his music. As I have said before, the soundtrack of my high school years  (1963-70) … Continue reading →

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Honouring The Women Of 1916

Posted on January 10, 2016 by fitzjameshorse

Many readers will be aware that I collect Irish stamps which have relevance to Irish History. The strange thing about stamps is that they not only tell the story of an event…for example the Rebellion of 1798…but how such events … Continue reading →

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Alban …My Part In His Success

Posted on January 5, 2016 by fitzjameshorse

I think it has been assumed for some time that Alban Maginness would stand down from Politics in 2016. He joins Joe Byrne, Dominic Bradley, Pat Ramsey, and John Dallat as SDLP “veterans” who are making way for younger colleagues … Continue reading →

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I Wish It Was 2017

Posted on January 4, 2016 by fitzjameshorse

We are in the fourth day of 2016 and I already wish it was 2017. Later today I might take a very large sleeping tablet but I am not aware of any that will keep me asleep until 2017. Maybe … Continue reading →

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MBEs …And Stuff

Posted on January 2, 2016 by fitzjameshorse

Isn’t it funny how you discuss a subject frivilously and end up having a row. Mrs FJH and I only row twice a year…at the “Queens” Birthday Honours and “New Year Honours”. Basically I have told Mrs FJH that she … Continue reading →

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So…2016

Posted on December 31, 2015 by fitzjameshorse

Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise! 2016…big Centennial Year but I will not dwell on that in this post. Also Assembly Elections and you can bet your life that the European Football Championships will provide a LetsGetAlongerist love-in and we will be treated … Continue reading →

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SDLP…Not Good With Its Own History

Posted on December 30, 2015 by fitzjameshorse

I really do wish I had been born in a different place and time. In 1952 of course, I did not know I was being born into a “second class” life in termsof housing and jobs…in West Belfast. In 1963, … Continue reading →

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Seamus Mallon …Again

Posted on December 29, 2015 by fitzjameshorse

Over forty years ago, the late Paddy Devlin told me that Seamus Mallon would one day be the Leader of SDLP. It seemed very unlikely but apart from Eddie McGrady, Mallon was the only MLA from the 1973 Assembly “intake” … Continue reading →

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Ballymurphy Massacre

Posted on December 29, 2015 by fitzjameshorse

It took nearly forty years for the families of Bloody Sunday (Derry, January 1972) to get at least a measure of Justice. And yet it happened in the full glare of the Media. Of course nobody will ever be brought … Continue reading →

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SDLP and SNP…Natural Allies

Posted on December 28, 2015 by fitzjameshorse

One of the most interesting aspects of Colum Eastwood’s campaign launch to become SDLP Leader was the speech by Claire Hanna MLA. Claire recalled going with Colum to Inverness in Scotland to speak at a fringe meeting at the Scottish … Continue reading →

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