I try to be fair, even to such irritating people as Michael D Higgins, Ireland’s president since 2011. Published: 27 June 2023 But his self-importance, silliness, vanity and sanctimony grate on me, as well as his arrogance and self-aggrandisement in trampling on the...
I’m unrepentant about saying last week that the Windsor Framework is as good as unionists can get. Published: 14 March 2023 As I tweeted after Jim Allister took issue with me, I have great admiration for his intellect and his integrity, but that doesn’t mean we have...
We should find a silver lining where we can, even in the worst moments. Published: 27 February 2023 That horrible attack on Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell — yet another fine policeman hated by bad people — has had the unintended consequence of bringing Sinn...
By accepting his errors on the Protocol, the Irish PM is adapting to the new realities of Ireland’s politics Published: 3 January 2023 In his second chance as Ireland’s Taoiseach, a job he recovered in mid-December, Leo Varadkar has finally indicated that he’s learned...
Before I get on to the final three episodes of Netflix’s Harry & Meghan, which I watched last week and found even more excruciating than I feared, here’s an unexpected radio moment that cheered me. Published: 20 December 2022 I had half an ear to Frenemies, a...
Twice as many Northern Irish voters favour the status quo over unity. Southern Irish voters back unification, but as a low priority Published: 6 December 2022 oday is the centenary of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It passed without celebration, for what...
At the weekend, I was in Dublin, where I was born and brought up, mostly seeing old friends. Published: 6 September 2022 When we got on to politics, there was the predictably gloomy view that there was no stopping the Shinners from getting into government. Some of my...
The country thought it could have its cake and eat it, by relying on the hated British for its defence Published: 1 July 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is posing Ireland – which is not a Nato member – with difficult choices. In its happy position of having next...
When even Jubilee edibles can’t be delivered, the integrity of the UK single market is clearly being undermined Published: 30 May 2022 hat is this Northern Ireland Protocol row all about?” is a question that causes despair to those of us who are supposed to have...
I couldn’t stand Piers Morgan until he lost his job on Good Morning Britain for telling the truth about Meghan Markle Published: 10 May 2022 Then I overlooked his crassness, praised his moral courage and wished him well in his new job with Talk TV. But the honeymoon...
