I’m writing this on May 3, Northern Ireland’s hundredth birthday. Published: 3 May 2021 My hope is that the next hundred years will be free of the violence and misery that was so often up to now imposed on peaceful people all over Ireland by intolerant, murderous...
First, the bad news, though you know it already. Published: 27 April 2021 Until the Sinn Féin leopard changes its spots there’s no hope of having a stable government in Northern Ireland working for all its people. The Province is stuck for now with a disruptive...
I’m writing a book about Royal consorts, so every part of his funeral that Prince Philip so meticulously planned was of interest to me. Published: 20 April 2021 From the poignancy of the jar of sugar cubes alongside the cap, gloves and lap blanket on the seat of the...
Published: 19 April 2021 Prince Philip’s death presented Sinn Fein with a particular challenge, given that the IRA murdered his beloved uncle. ‘I am sorry that happened. Of course, that is heartbreaking,’ said the party’s leader Mary Lou...
The narrative that Boris is responsible for problems in the North hinders the search for actual solutions Published: 15 April 2021 Our Prime Minister consistently reminds me of William Brown, Richmal Crompton’s 11-year-old hero, a natural leader whose optimism leads...
I’ve been thinking and reading about Prince Philip since I heard the news of his death. Published: 13 April 2021 It surprised me how upset I was. As he had kept pointing out, he was old and it was his time to die. For Covid-related reasons, I was alone as I watched...
Published: 9 April 2021 Youths unleash fireworks in Belfast tonight I love Northern Ireland and most of its people, and find it heartbreaking to see the province in the news today not in commemoration of its centenary year but once again because of vicious communal...
Last Wednesday was the second anniversary of the murder of my friend Lyra McKee, shot dead by a member of the New IRA who had been targeting police. Published: 6 April 2021 The alleged murderer is back in Derry and there is insufficient evidence to charge him. Friday...
Here’s a suggestion to unionism in dealing with Irish nationalism. Published: 30 March 2021 Stop reacting and take control of the agenda. “How do you feel about a united Ireland these days?” I recently asked a patriotic friend in the Irish Republic who takes more...
With its open economy, Ireland is particularly vulnerable to Europe’s descent into senseless vaccine nationalism Published: 23 March 2021 If you take the Pfizer vaccine,” said the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin – one of the sanest voices emerging from the EU, as the...
