Category Archives: Uncategorized

21st Century Boys

I have to say that I like Basil McCrea and I like John McCallister more. But I am still not sure that the Party they founded (NI21) can make any impact. Being “liked” is not enough. And Basil and John … Continue reading

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Van Morrison …Days Like This

So Congratulations Van The Man. Freeman of the City of Belfast. Who would have guessed it. Certainly not me in the early 1960s, when I used to walk past the Sailors Club and long haired people in jeans could be … Continue reading

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Fair Play SDLP Ballycastle

Interesting motion (deferred at Conference) from SDLP in Ballycastle. Asking SDLP should organise in the Republic of Ireland. Good idea? Yes …not necessarily in the short-term …but SDLP has to put down a marker that it is an all-Ireland party. … Continue reading

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Eddie McGrady RIP

SDLP members are saddened tonight at the death earlier today of Eddie McGrady, one of the first people to join the SDLP in 1970. I had never formally met him, but can still recall the first occasion that I actually … Continue reading

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Let Us Remember…Cuimhnimís

A pause to remember the men and women who have served in the Irish Defence Forces, at home during Peace and during The Emergency (1939-45) and who have served with the United Nations. And a word for my friend “R … Continue reading

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Gerry Adams?

Is time running out for Gerry Adams? Are the Vultures flying overhead. Gerry has a lot of enemies …not least on Slugger O’Toole so if/when he retires or resigns, there will be much joy in that Quarter. But frankly, Gerry … Continue reading

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Remember! Remember!

In the 1960s, we sometimes got a peek into the specifically “English” way of life. In Belfast our “fireworks” night was Halloween but from TV and comics, we learned that Guy Fawkes Night (5th November) was their night…Fireworks and Bonfires. … Continue reading

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Mortgages…1690

My compliments to my Bank of choice for some thirty five years. The Bank of Ireland. I am sure we all like the marketing ploy that involves the Ulster Rugby Team. But did nobody on their marketing team notice that … Continue reading

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Don’t Mention The Diesel

On Monday night, Mrs Fitzjames Horse was out of town. She put some diesel in the car. She used a filling station that we may only have used a few times ever. If you are reading this in Norn Iron, … Continue reading

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Don’t Mention The Sectarian Chanting

Norn Iron’s Football League is of course a joke. The standard is of course awful. It is semi-professional because anybody who can actually play football, has been head-hunted to play in England. Basically Football is poorly supported. Die-hard football fans … Continue reading

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