The Irish writer John B. Keane once said of my home town that "they should build a wall around it and let no man in and let no man out." I don't know why he said that about An tAonach, which means Fair or Market place. (The town was named Nenagh by the English during that great renaming which saw Gaelic names replaced by ones which bore no relationship to the Irish.) … [Read more...] about The First Word: Afraid of the Dark
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Back to Your Future
As the Irish economy continues to rise, the government is campaigning in the United States to fill thousands of job openings. On St. Patrick's weekend they will hold a two-day recruitment exhibition in New York. "We're selling Ireland. We're saying to people come back. We're not saying you're going to get what you're getting in the US. But you're going to get quality of … [Read more...] about Back to Your Future
Furor Over RUC Recruitment Campaign
Belfast: Republicans and nationalists have attacked Royal Ulster Constabulary chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan for launching a new recruiting drive before outstanding police reforms are completed, Brendan Anderson reported in The Irish Voice. Sinn Féin's president Gerry Adams has asked young Nationalists not to join the force and to ignore an RUC advertising campaign which is … [Read more...] about Furor Over RUC Recruitment Campaign
Reid Takes Over as Northern Secretary
The departure of Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson in late January caused few tears in Ireland. Mandelson, whose tenure in the North was supposed to restart his political career, left under a cloud. He was pulled from the job by British Prime Minister Tony Blair over alleged involvement in a passport scandal. It was the second time that Blair was forced to sack … [Read more...] about Reid Takes Over as Northern Secretary
New York Remembers Bobby Sands
Plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of hunger striker Bobby Sands on May 5 in New York, have Unionists hot under the collar. The Irish papers reported that Gerald Kelly, the Belfast painter who together with other artists will create a mural to Sands, had been given a $75,000 grant from the City of New York. Sammy Wilson, the Democratic Unionist Lord … [Read more...] about New York Remembers Bobby Sands