“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
As long-time readers will know, getting to and onto ferries can be fraught with difficulties. On Monday past, our return from Burnley was no exception. We started off okay: caught a train from Burnley two hours earlier than expected. So … Continue reading ScotRail were the saviours as journey home hit by Network Rail delays
In the last days and weeks Northern Ireland has been hit by many bomb alerts and security alerts, many of which have turned out to be hoaxes. I doubt that many people living in the rest of the United Kingdom have any idea what this is like. Imagine a family with young children, who are asleep at the time of the alert, being roused by a knock on the door from the Police. No, we don’t want to speak to anyone here – but there is a bomb alert at the bottom of your street. We need to evacuate you. … Continue reading There’s a knock at the door, it’s the Police… what next?
An easy guide to politics of the island of Ireland written for the benefit of tourists, with thanks to Fr Peter Thompson for sharing it. Continue reading The North and The South – an explanation for tourists…
Now any observer of flags in Northern Ireland will tell you that there are many variations in the flags that are seen around the Province. But this one, first seen by me on a Facebook page, is a new one even for me. It is placed on a page somewhat dedicated to so-called Loyalism that appears to have sprung up following the decision by Belfast City Council to fly the Union Flag from City Hall on the designated Flag-flying Days. Most of these pages want to see the Union Flag replaced, that is hoisted once more on City Hall, not … Continue reading Is St Patrick to be expunged from Union Flag?
My thoughts and prayers are with all Alliance Party representative and their staff at this difficult time following the decision by Belfast City Council to fly the Union Flag on designated days. Reports are coming in this evening that a constituency office for Stewart Dickson MLA, the Alliance representative for East Antrim has been set on fire. According to the BBC the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are at the scene. As with the protest yesterday that forced Naomi Long MP‘s office to close early, all that these actions will do will be to stop local people from getting … Continue reading Violence and fire-lighting is not the way forward
This afternoon, I learned that a very dear friend, mentor and colleague, PA MagLochlainn has ‘gone home’. A few weeks ago I learned that he was in hospital and was very unwell, while we were celebrating 30 years of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland. Last week, the Pink Triangle Commemoration at Belfast City Hall was organised for the first year not by him. He was due to come, but this was not to be. And now, today, we are in mourning. He was many things to many people. His life touched all around him. Upon hearing the news … Continue reading PA MagLochlainn RIP
Just been speaking to Judith Cochrane MLA, one of three Alliance Party MLAs unable to bring themselves to be present in The Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday for the Marriage Equality vote. I asked her: “Can you tell me why you were absent from the chamber yesterday for the Equal Marriage vote?” Her response is below. I am sorry if you feel that I let you down yesterday. I have many friends in the LGBT community both in NI and further afield whom I care about deeply but who accept that I believe that marriage is between a man and a … Continue reading Judith Cochrane MLA’s answer on why she was absent from chamber for #equalmarriageni vote yesterday
Despite all the coverage of the Ulster Covenant this weekend, it seems that at least one British political party wants not to recognise the Irish in the Union Flag. They have fallen into a similar trap as Hawes & Curtis … Continue reading Team GB did it, then Hawes & Curtis, and now Labour…
On Monday 1 October there is a motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Equal Marriage: That this Assembly believes that all couples, including those of the same sex, should have the right to marry in the eyes of the … Continue reading A message to all the MLAs in Stormont #equalmarriage #religiousfreedom
Gyronny Herald 