Breakthrough at last-Policing for Slow Learners

So on Sunday, Sinn Féin finally joined the rest of Northern Ireland community and acceted the legitimacy of the newly created Police Service of Northern Ireland (I couldn't resist this funny photoshop Adams family pic which came from a friend by the way!!)


Now hopefully the process of moving on with real life in Northern Ireland can come closer. It seems astonishing that it is almost ten years since we voted so overwhelmingly for the Good Friday Agreement. The party I support in Northern Ireland, the SDLP,got it right, as usual, on policing from the start, signing up to the local police authorities across the North, and encouraging nationalists and republicans to join the force.






Now the so-called Republican leadership have at last followed suit. It's now up to the DUP to deliver. There is little doubt that the words of Gerry Adams yesterday in unequivocally advising communities to go to the police in the event of horrific crimes being carried out in their communities are historic. They didn't include a call to ship the killers of Robert McCartney, whose proud and battling sisters are pictured here with Labour Party Deputy Leader, Liz MacManus, however. It's time Adams and co. got off the pot in this regard, and that the Short Strand community did the right thing and deliver justice to the McCartney family.


Having met many members of the DUP in the last year and a half, while I represented the Labour Party in peace talks with the party through the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, I get the strong feeling that the DUP know the end-game has arrived. I hope that Ian Paisley will seize the chance to prove so many people wrong, and to join in leading Northern Ireland forward in democracy.


For my part, as a Connolly Republican Socialist, I will continue to strive for a United Ireland, based on tolerance, diversity, and equality, as will my party and our sister party the SDLP. That is a legitimate political ambition for all Republicans on this island, and we must reclaim that title from the 'Shinners'. For now however, I hope to see Ian Paisley as first Minister, and Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister, although even typing these words seems strange. Of couse I hope to see my former student leader colleague. Mark Durkan, replace McGuinness, and the SDLP rewarded by the electorate of the North for their unstinting support of peace and democracy (oh and happy 70th. birthday John Hume). Ansin beidh ár lá tioctha faoi dheireadh.

Christmas Really Begins-Bell, Book and Candle in the Cathedral

Last Sunday was the night when the Christmas season begins in style for a Kilkenny City councillor. The annual 'Nine Carols and Nine Lessons' service of the Church of Ireland community, but open to all takes place in the wonderful setting of St. Canice's Cathedral. It was presided over by the relatively new bishop, Michael Burrowes, whose consecration I unfortunately missed in February last. The singing by the cathedral choir, and by children from the Model National School was uplifting and the ideal start to the real Christmas-that of the sacred rather than the shopping frenzy and all that other madness.

The real treat came at the end of the night however, when we were invited into the bell tower, quiet a climb from the main church, where the bell ringers or 'change ringers' showed us their art in action. This was the first time that our council was invited into the private area of the church in its 400 year history. We then climbed a little higher to see the actual bells, which are up to 500 years old. Thanks a million to all the change ringers for their hospitality. I'd love to get there for the annual new year's ceremony on new year's eve at 11.30, followed by the midnight ringing of the bells.

By the way thanks to Harry Reid for the magic photos.

Anyone for Cricket?

Was at a fascinating book launch tonight. A new book has been released by one of the Kilkenny Archaeological and Historical Society's luminaries, Michael O' Dwyer, my former neighbour from College Road. Micahel has dedicated a number of years of his life to researching the history of cricket in Kilkenny. Far from being the sport of the wealthy in the county, or the sport exclusively of the protestant ascendancy, Michael's book, 'The History of Cricket in County Kilkenny-The forgotten game' details the over 200 clubs which at one time or another, saw cricket as the universal game in their communities.

Areas like Gowran indeed had active cricket clubs until the mid 50's, before their hurling clubs were even established. Indeed as Michael's friend Peter McQuillan, wittingly infromed the large gathering of people present tonight, a certain J. Carey scored 25 runs against the Palmerstown club from the city in 1970. We don't know for sure if there is a connstion to the God of hurling, bet we do know that uncles of the Henderson clan of Johnstown and now some connections with the Dicksboro hurling club, (who play at Palmerstown!), were prominent cricketers, as were uncles of the famous Fennelly family of Ballyhale Shamrocks, whose family played a prominent role in taking this year's County Championship, and scooping the Leinster club title last Sunday. Other famous hurling familes included the great Lowry Meagher's father, Henry J., who we were told hit the ball into the next field during a game against Mullinahone. Interestingly Henry was present at the founding meeting of the GAA in Hayes Hotel, Thurles in 1884.

My own only connection with cricket in Kilkenny was the wonderful Jack Notley, twice capped Ireland rugby full back, but a man who was also cappped for Ireland in cricket. Jack moved to Kilkenny in the early 50's and having spent a few night's in my wife's home, the then Carmel Hotel, with Marian's mother and father, decided not to leave, only to stay till the day the hotel was sold, over 40 years later!! Jack was a gentleman of the oldest sort, and never tired of talking, and encouraging anybody, particularly young people in their interest in any sport. How Jack would have loved to read Michael's wonderful production. You should do if you get the chance.

Another nice touch was the message received from Ed Joyce, Ireland's new cricket superstar. The young Bray man has an uncle in Kilkenny, teacher Tomás Ó Murchú, who handed Michael a personal message, faxed from the Ashes in Australia, where he is the first Irishman for many years to feature on the world atage of cricket, albeit for the ould enemy. He recorded his memories, and he's hardly old enough for memories, of cricket in Mount Juliet in his youth.