We're circling Abercorn Street in Derry and Richard Moore, my sunglassed passenger, is pointing out focal points of his native city. He acts as navigator, advising me to turn left at the shop, then right at the gap in the green railings to reach our destination. The remarkable thing is Richard is totally blind. Not that he was born this way. Ever since May 4, 1972 he has … [Read more...] about Caught in the Crossfire
Issues
Enrollment Down at Holy Cross
A catholic school whose pupils were forced to run a daily gauntlet of sectarian hatred last year is in danger of closing because of falling student numbers. Fr. Aidan Troy, chairman of the board of governors of Holy Cross Girls Primary School in north Belfast, warned that the intake for the new academic year had fallen by a third. Holy Cross was at the center of Loyalist … [Read more...] about Enrollment Down at Holy Cross
The Wolfe Tones Split
The peace process hasn't extended to the Irish ballad group the Wolfe Tones. The famous music group split last Christmas, and is now at war over who is entitled to use the name. There are now two groups, each styling themselves the Wolfe Tones, and the rift has led to an upsurge of jokes about the group, which has entertained the nation with Republican ballads for the last 38 … [Read more...] about The Wolfe Tones Split
Having a Care for Irish Emigrants
A new plan that proposes funding to allow elderly emigrants to return to Ireland, and increasing the funding for services at home and abroad to care for elderly emigrants, has been unveiled in Dublin. The report calls for setting up an independent agency for emigrants, to be called the Agency for Irish Abroad. It would be responsible for funding cultural and sporting … [Read more...] about Having a Care for Irish Emigrants
Liam’s Collins Connection
Though an event in Clonakilty, Co. Cork on Thursday, August 22 was a salute to the tamed Irish patriot Michael Collins, Liam Neeson was the star of the show as hundreds of fans turned out to meet and greet the Co. Antrim-born star. Neeson traveled from New York to attend the ceremony in which a seven-foot high statue of Collins, in full military regalia, was unveiled in the … [Read more...] about Liam’s Collins Connection