The simple question for all members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive is: Do I support the achievement of political ends by purely peaceful means or by terrorism and acts of violence? Continue reading Time for the politicians to decide: in or out of the Executive?
Following a report of an alleged suspicious approach in East Belfast on 21st May 2013, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has determined that there was nothing untoward in this instance. However, the PSNI has said, If parents are concerned … Continue reading Suspicious Behaviour? If you’re concerned please report to Police
The prosperity of Northern Ireland is dependent on the skills of its workforce and its ability to meet the needs of the local economy, to support a strong export-oriented marked, and to secure the wealth creating opportunities of the future. … Continue reading Moving Northern Ireland plc forward: developing leaders for tomorrow
We all know how much we in Ireland like to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, coming up soon is the Breton equivalent: Gouel Erwan, St Yves. Well this year, the Breton Association in Ireland has chosen to celebrate it in Belfast. Breizh Eire, association des Bretons d’Irlande a choisi de faire cette année la Gouel Erwan à Belfast. Ca va donner ! Slante ! The event came to my attention this afternoon when there were two buskers in Castle Lane in Belfast city centre who were sounding distinctly rustic. Having passed them walking towards Waterstone’s I asked them on the way … Continue reading Celebrating our Saints: it’s one way of celebrating our European identity
Two hundred years ago, the foundation stone of the new Parish Church of St George on the site of the old Corporation Church beside the River Farset in Belfast was laid. Three years later, it was duly dedicated and opened. Two hundred years of witness to the city have passed with an emphasis through most of that on quality Church Music, so it was unsurprising that the opening concert of the Bicentenary Celebrations would be a fantastic display of church music.
The choir of St George’s was joined by the Schola Cantorum of St Peter’s Cathedral Belfast and from Worcester Massachusetts the choirs of All Saints’, Worcester and Notre Dame Academy, Worcester.
The four choirs combined to open the concert with the Magnificat in C by C.V. Stanford followed by Mozart’s Ave verum corpus. Hearing these pieces took me back to singing as a boy Continue reading “Bicentenary Celebrations begin with fantastic concert at St George’s Belfast”
We all know the traditional red brick terraced houses found in Belfast. Many have been demolished in recent years, but there are ways to retain them and make the fit for twenty-first century living. The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society has created a short film which demonstrates how our undervalued stock of traditional terraced houses can be retrofitted using energy–efficient measures. Using the retrofit scheme carried out by Hearth on the 19th century terraces on McMaster Street as an example, the film highlights the importance of harnessing the embodied energy in existing buildings and aims to unmask the concept of retrofitting. PLACE are holding … Continue reading McMaster Street terraces transformed: ‘Quality Streets: Retrofitting Traditional Terraces’
The Government Art Collection (GAC) exhibition has been in the Ulster Museum for a few weeks now, and I still haven’t been. So, who is up for a trip to see it? Sunday 7 April 2013 It is a bit … Continue reading Ulster Museum? visit to Government Art Collection Exhibition who is up for it?
The streets of Belfast city centre and the Cathedral Quarter are set to come alive for five days in May to the sounds of laughter and the sights of acrobatics, music, and comedy as the Festival of Fools celebrates ten … Continue reading Belfast streets to come alive to laughter, acrobatics, music, and comedy
“Oi you two! Yes you two holding hands… you’re offending me and my customers. We don’t want your sort here. Please leave.” Perhaps you or someone you know has had this said to you in a bar, or a shop, … Continue reading Oi you two! holding hands, please leave! – new resource to combat discrimination from Equality Commission
Last night at Compline in St George’s Parish Church, Belfast the text of the reading was from Hebrews 9.11–15. This evening, having found during my search last night for my Roman Breviary a copy of The Hymns from the New Testament, by John Metcalfe, I turned to the reference I read last night from the Revised English Bible. Not all of the verses are formed into an hymn, but those that were are thus: Christ being come a great high priest of good things that shall be, by that more great and perfect place wherein abide doth he; Not made with hands, that … Continue reading The words in verse not in order you expect…
Gyronny Herald 