Tag Archives: Norn Iron

Ulster (Rugby) Is The New Norn Iron (Football)

Posted on May 16, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

Way back in the 1960s, I attended a few football matches at Windsor Park. In my defence, I was much too younf to understand the significance of it all and anyway the mid 1960s was kinda peaceful. I was on … Continue reading →

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Eligibilty (Political Football) A Guest Post from “Sammy McNally”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

With the DUP turning up at GAA matches, SF ministers turning up at Windsor park and funds from Stormo being allocated to Sports facilities to be shared between Soccer, Rugby and GAA, you could be forgiven for believing that sport … Continue reading →

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Reporting Norn Iron

Posted on March 28, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

Fascinating BBC Norn Iron documentary last night. Four journalists who had reported on Norn Iron for TV News returned to Belfast to talk about their time here. Martin Bell………I have always regarded as a pompous ass. He was easily the … Continue reading →

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Has SDLP Turned The Corner?

Posted on March 6, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

It is now four months since the SDLP Annual Conference and the election of Alasdair McDonnell to replace Margaret Ritchie. Although Alasdair got off to a shaky start…that initial speech will haunt him……..and there was that furore over MLA salaries, things … Continue reading →

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Ping Pong Diplomacy…Norn Iron Style

Posted on February 2, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

The object of Unionism is to destroy Nationalism. The object of Nationalism is to destroy Unionism. Things are really that simple. The Good Friday Agreement provides a basis to put this on hold………providing as it does a set of obstacles … Continue reading →

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A Fleadh In Their Ear? Culture In “Stroke City”.

Posted on January 24, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

Here is some good news. In July 2010, Derry was selected to be the City of Culture in 2013. Now here is some bad news. In July 2010, Londonderry was selected to be the UK City of Culture in 2013. … Continue reading →

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Colin Duffy

Posted on January 22, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

I have no idea whether Colin Duffy, the dissident Republican from Lurgan, County Armagh is responsible for the murder of two British soldiers in 2009. Nor do I know if he is responsible for the murder of an Ulster Defence … Continue reading →

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The “Royal Maternity” Babies

Posted on January 22, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

For over forty years, I have got used to seeing local TV reporters standing in front of Belfast landmarks such as the City Hall or Courthouse. And too often I have seen familiar faces from BBC London or American news … Continue reading →

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Belfast Sectarian Beatings…Redux

Posted on January 16, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

A few days ago, I blogged about James Turley, a Catholic Belfast youth, who was savagely beaten up by a gang of Protestant youths while he was working as an extra in a movie being shot in the loyalist Village … Continue reading →

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The British “New Years Honours” Choreography in Norn Iron.

Posted on December 30, 2011 by fitzjameshorse

We all know someone who has a MBE or OBE. Occasionally they actually deserve it (with the proviso that I dont like the System at all). Yet there is a choreography. ……certainly at the lowest levels.The Cabinet Office controls the … Continue reading →

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