From the Balcony, A Publisher's Blog

Focal scoir...the last word

2010-11-22T07:00:00.001Z

Passing on the baton.

This is the last posting in my Publisher’s Blog as this week I give up my position of pubisher of the Belfast Media Group titles to concentrate on the job of group managing director.

With a business park to run, newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic, a thriving conference and events division and a new TV production company up and running, the Belfast Media Group has many challenges ahead. As Group managing director, I plan to meet them all head-on — with the help of our many friends. I’m handing on the baton to the great editorial team we’ve built up in our newspapers over the past decade.

As we gear up for the 14^th annual Aisling Awards this Thursday night in the Europa, this is a perfect time to say ‘thank you’ to all those who visited the blog on the internet, posted comments and kept the faith. Go raibh maith agaibh.

John Ging on the way

2010-11-21T16:48:00.000Z

The Aisling Awards has had a series of high-profile guests of honour but none involved in as perilous a role as the head of the United Nations relief agency in Gaza, John Ging. The Guardian reported earlier this month that his life is believed to be under threat from extremists in Gaza. The same report also describes him as "charasmatic".

I look forward to his contribution to this Thursday's Aisling Gala — the fourteenth — when we will salute the heroes of the new Belfast.

This interview with the BBC detailing the "horrific" situation in Gaza during the Israeli invasion of early 2009 underlines the enormity of the task he faces. "There is no military solution to this problem. In fact, this conflict is the result of political failure. That lies on the shoulders of all politicians and it's on their shoulders now to actually stop the fighting and get back to a political solution."

Treasures on the Falls and on our shelves

2010-11-20T17:28:00.001Z

I picked up a beautiful bilingual brochure for the Bog Meadows — Cluain an Bhogaigh — in the Cultúrlann today, a joint publication of the Friends of the Bog Meadows and the Ulster Wildlife Trust (at the risk of being shouted at, someone should send one to the National Trust heroes on the Black Mountain so they can emulate).

The Bog Meadows also came up in my chat with young students here from London Metropolitan College, under the tutelage of Michael Corr from Ballymena, who have been undertaking a project focused on the Gaeltacht Quarter.

In just nine days, they've done a fabulous amount of work and have come up with some great ideas of how we can enhance and celebrate the road from the former Andersonstown Barracks (I note there's a design competition reannounced for this site but how can you have a design competition without knowing how the site is to be used — even the basic outline of use?) to Dunville Park.

The students had a great word for the many wonderful assets which they identified — most known to me and you — and put up on a map covering the entire wall of the offices of Fáilte Feirste Thiar, the Falls tourism group, on the falls: "Treasures". That sounds nice in Irish too: "Taiscí".

Bog Meadows is one such treasure but we discussed again the idea of having a festival which would kick off the day each spring with the sedge warbler completes its 4,000 mile journey from Senegal to the Bog Meadows; a marathon journey which the warbler has completed without fail for 5,000 years, touching down in the same west Belfast spot each year. A miracle and a treasure.

I have a video of Michael Corr (with genuine Falls barking dog in background) on the web and commend Forbairt Feirste for hosting this visit.

John Foley emails from Boston to say that Boston is the world's greatest marathon. It's the oldest (excluding the Greek early entry), I'll give him that, and also one of the hilliest. But to run in Boston you have to post a finishing time way beyond my abilities so I suspect I'll never get to test the truth of John's claim that it's Number Uno. But it has featured several times in this blog and also in a new book I've just read about long-distance runners, 'Going Long, Legends, Oddballs, Comebacks and Adventures. The Best Stories from Runner's World.' A wonderful read which does Boston full justice. (I buy these books on Amazon and would love to pass them on to our local libraries — the ones not being closed by the authorities — rather than have them gather dust on a shelf, or indeed to a reader on the Balcony. Shouldn't our libraries be asking amazon buyers to donate their read books?)

Ar ais arís

2010-11-19T10:23:00.001Z

Tardy postings as the political goings-on in Ireland, most definitely including West Belfast and Louth head into the stratosphere, are unforgivable but so it goes.

In the meantime, with my first internet connection in several days I see the Irish Government is hanging tough and saying it won't negotiate on its 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate.

Everything the government has said to date has been balderdash. Every line in the sand they vowed not to cross has been crossed. So take it From the Balcony that they won't negotiate on the corporation tax rate only because no-one is negotiating with them. The EU and IMF are going to tell them what to do and they're going to take their medicine because they haven't a leg to stand on. Sovereignty, how are ye?

Marathon man

2010-11-18T10:07:00.001Z

On the way out to the Staten Island starting point for the New York Marathon last Sunday, the firefighters called for a minute’s silence as our convoy trundled past the building site which is Ground Zero. Getting to the start of the marathon is as much an ordeal for the 45,000 participants as getting to the finish line itself, but it’s a bit of an advantage travelling with the police and fire department running clubs as they get to park closer to the starting line than anyone else.
Marathon day was also the first Sunday in yonks on which I’d gone to Mass — celebrated by Fr Brian Jordan, chaplain to the labour unions of New York. With the help of readers, I raised $2,100 for a Franciscan church in New York where Fr Jordan works with hard-pressed immigrant communities.
Fr Jordan has run 60 marathons in his time — and Belfast next May will make it 61.
He gathered the nervous marathoners round him in sub-zero temperatures for a Mass which was two-parts old-style kingdom hall and one-part new-age evangelism. In short, it was uplifting and inspirational — especially his promise that the Holy Spirit would intervene and ensure we didn’t stop even when we reached our lowest ebb.

Enthusiasm
And then we were off, over the two-mile bridge to the mainland and into a reception from the first wave of two million spectators.
In Brooklyn, my heart soared when I saw a man hold up a poster: ‘Beir bua. Maith Sibh go Léir.’ And with a Tricolour on my front, I was getting extra cheers from the Irish American onlookers. The extraordinary generosity of New Yorkers, their enthusiasm for this great race (contrast with Belfast where runners are consigned to the more barren stretches of the docks) makes it the world’s greatest marathon.
I had planned on a slow marathon pace but lost the run of myself (literally) when a four-hour pacemaker, holding aloft a stick with orange balloons so we could follow him, coasted past. I stayed on his tail for a full 23 miles before I blew up just short of Central Park and the finish line. The Holy Spirit and the dead were all called into commission to ensure I didn’t stop, however, and when I crossed the finish line after four hours and eight minutes, I whooped like a madman.
There is something special about completing a marathon — and anyone can do it as long as they train hard and remember that it’s a race of two halves: the first 20 and the last 6.2.

'When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced...'

2010-11-15T09:31:00.002Z

Finally, got the evocative sermon of Fr Brian Jordan at our pre-marathon mass in New York online. Could we repeat a service like this — ecumenical? — at the Belfast race?

Certainly, I'm sure Fr Jordan would love to celebrate mass in the open air for the people of West Belfast. Put May in your ecclesiastical diary.

Shaking things up

2010-11-14T18:42:00.000Z

Sinn Féin certainly has a knack for the dramatic. Just when morale was sinking inexorably lower in the South of Ireland, Gerry Adams announces he's going to make an entry into the Dáil — if the constituents of Louth can be convinced that's a good idea.

When Sinn Féin first contested elections back in the eighties, there was much fearful chatter in the southern media of Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams standing south of the Border — and cleaning up. That never happened on the basis that Sinn Féin decided the new leadership in the Dáil would have to come from the South.

That never happened either, of course. And now, as the state stands on the precipice, the West Belfast MP is to cast the die again. There has been much talk of late of 'strategic interventions'. Alex Maskey pulling out of South Belfast to give Michelle Gildernew victory in Fermanagh-South Tyrone was one.

This is another. Time to fasten the seatbelts. Not for us Nordies; we are always prepared for a bumpy ride but for those in the South who have the Garda British Embassy mentality. And what exactly is that, I hear you ask. "Get back to the fucking North," the boys in blue guldered as they cracked the heads of protesters trying to reach the British Embassy in Dublin during the hunger strike of 1981. (There was never an apology for the brutality of that black day from the Dublin authorities. For the innocent protesters they pummeled, I mean, though an apology to the many democrats and republicans from the South also battered would certainly be in order too.)

The curse of Confucius indeed.

Seven Sorrowful mysteries

2010-11-14T12:15:00.000Z

Just when you thought you'd seen it all, Easyjet at Gatwick pulled seven checked in passengers off the flight to Marrakech because the pilot reckoned he had too much weight on board to battle strong headwinds on the way down over Europe.

No volunteers came forward when Easyjet tried to entice them with the offer of £100 and a free hotel room so they called out the last seven who'd checked in, told them they weren't flying and that their bags would be removed from the hold. Now there's the first reason in a long time that I've seen as to why it's a good idea to check in online...and in plenty of time.

The rest of us stayed shamefully silent at this public execution, relieved that our delay was no longer than one hour.

And Marrakech, it is of course fascinating. Though our visit has coincided with another flare-up in the Western Sahara where Moroccan troops have laid into protesters ahead of this week's UN talk in New York between the sides. Morocco claims jurisdiction over the Western Sahara where a fight for independence has given way to a ceasefire, painfully slow negotiations and 'security' walls. Remind you of anywhere.

Joy of travelling

2010-11-13T10:58:00.001Z

At Aldergrove Airport last night we were corraled into a bleak corner for a flight running 45 minutes late and addressed over a tannoy system last used in the jungles of Vietnam to call on the Yankee soldiers to surrender.

Either that or she was speaking in Russian for certainly not one word of her monologue could be understood.

This morning I am in an airport hotel at Gatwick where internet access is £4 for 30 minutes. That's the equivalent of £192 a day. About what you would expect to pay for basic broadband access to your home for a year.

Ah, the joys of travelling.

Aisling on stage

2010-11-12T14:20:00.000Z

The night before this year's Aisling Awards, Aisling Ghéar will launch its newly-written play, An Aisling. (That's a lot of Aislings.)

Belfast Media Group multimedia photojournalist William Boyd has been talking to the lead actors Tony Devlin and Nuala Ní Néill about this contemporary work.

Reflecting a proud community

2010-11-11T17:34:00.001Z

Recently, I met a senior civil servant who told me, without embarrassment, that potential investors can't be brought to West Belfast or Derry because on seeing those locations they wouldn't invest.

I was, as you'd expect horrified to find those views in currency in 2010 (if not surprised).

However, the Andersonstown News also has a role to play in reflecting the reality of life in West Belfast in a fair and balanced way, not glossing over real problems like inadequate policing and anti-social behaviour while making clear those who would destroy rather than build or a tiny, tiny minority.

It's not always easy to get the balance right and for us to serve our dual masters of the truth and news reporting.

There are things we could do better and we'll try to do so in partnership with some of those we met today: report from the start on one of the multi-faceted initiatives to combat crime which are led by the community; encourage more voices through op-ed articles on fraught issues such as suicide; report more comprehensively on the 'refusers', young people who have opted out of school in West Belfast; constantly monitor text messages (we get 700 a week and print 100) for gratuitous and provocative comment; report more thoroughly on the Integrated Services Initiative across West Belfast; and editorialise on the onslaught being suffered by our frontline community and youth services.

I'm pictured above outside Teach Basil with some of the warriors of our community sector — which has been the saving grace of West Belfast over the past 40 years — Angela Mervyn, Louise Brennan, Mairead McCafferty, Lianne Carlisle, Niall Enright, Aine McCabe and Jim Girvan.

It is not those who inflict the most...

2010-11-09T23:30:00.002Z

CORK 1920 – “ENDURING THE MOST”

A Programme of Civic Events to Commemorate the 90TH Anniversary of the Deaths of Former Lord Mayors MacCurtain and McSwiney and of the Burning of Cork

This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the deaths of former Lord Mayors Tomás MacCurtain and Terence McSwiney. It is also the 90th Anniversary of the Burning of Cork. The events of 1920 are important in a national context, but carry even greater significance in terms of the civic and political history of Cork.

To commemorate this Anniversary, a Programme of Events has been scheduled to run next week –“CORK 1920: ENDURING THE MOST”. Details of the programme are given hereunder.

All the individual elements of the Programme are open to the public.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

8th November:

5.30 p.m. To formally launch the Programme, at the Ordinary Meeting of Council the Lord Mayor will read minutes from Corporation Meetings of the Time at which Lord Mayors McSwiney and MacCurtain officiated.

9th November:

11.00 a.m. Lord Mayor to formally launch a Public Exhibition by the City Archives and Cork Museum in Millennium Hall.

11.00 – 3.00 City Archives and Cork Museum Exhibition open to the public & Continuous Screening of films by Scoil Oilibhéir in Millennium Hall Foyer.

10th November:

11.00 – 3.00 City Archives and Cork Museum Exhibition open to the public & Continuous Screening of films by Scoil Oilibhéir in Millennium Hall Foyer.

11th November:

11.00 – 15.00 City Archives and Cork Museum Exhibition open to the public & Continuous Screening of films by Scoil Oilibhéir in Millennium Hall Foyer.

12.30 – 13.30 Talk by Gerry White, Historian: “McCurtain and McSwiney and The Formation of the Cork Brigade of the Irish Volunteers.”

12th November:

11.00 – 15.00 City Archives and Cork Museum Exhibition open to the public & Continuous Screening of films by Scoil Oilibhéir in Millennium Hall Foyer.

12.00 – 13.00 Talk By John Borgonovo, Historian: “Tans, Terror and the Burning of Cork”

13.00 – 14.00 Talk By Pat Poland, Historian: “The Fire Services and the Burning of Cork”

14th November:

10.30 a.m. Bishop Buckley to celebrate Mass in North Cathedral, from where Lord Mayors McSwiney and MacCurtain were buried.

17th November:

7.00 p.m. The Lord Mayor is to launch an exhibition “Rising from the Ashes: the burning of Cork’s Carnegie Library and the rebuilding of its Collections”, in the Central Library and is to launch a book of the same name by Thomas McCarthy.

Footnote regarding Programme Title: The programme title derives from a now infamous line from a Terence McSwiney speech “Triumph is not to those who can inflict most, but to those who can endure most.”

Boston-Northwest links bolstered

2010-11-09T18:43:00.000Z

The construction workers of Boston did their best to drown out Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty as he spoke about the importance of Mayor Cora Harvey's visit to Boston last week but he makes himself heard.

I put my New York marathon thoughts down in Irish in the last posting; suffice to say that I'm glad it's over. On arrival back in broken Ireland this morning, I was met at the airport with the perfect metaphor for a country bankrupt politically and financially: the elevator immediately after passport control was bust. Welcome to Ireland.

Tá mo rás rite

2010-11-09T18:40:00.005Z

Ag rud is mó a thóg croí dom ná fear agus a chuid páistí ag na thaobh i mBrooklyn agus clár in airde aige leis na foclaí 'Beir Bua' agus 'Maith Sibh go Léir'.

Don chéad 20 míle de mharatón Nua Eabharc, chaith mé t-léine bhán agus le bratach na hÉireann air os cionn an mhana, 'Irish Echo'. Fuair mé go leor tacaíochta ón lucht féachána: "Come on the Irish", "Go Ireland" agus gárthaí eile molta.

Bhí sé fíochmhar fuar ar maidin agus muid ag toiseacht ach bhí an t-aifreann a chéiliúraigh an tAth Brian Jordan mar bheadh Superser faoi do sheacáid reatha ann. Dúírt sé go mbeadh an Spiorad Naofa ár gcoimhéad agus nuair a thiocfadh lagmhisneach orainn go n-iompródh sé thar an líne muid. Beidh físeán anseo ar ball ach sin an t-aifreann réamhchatha thuas.

Ag toiseacht amach, ba é an rún a bhí agam ná críochnú ag 4 uair a chloig 20 bomaite nó mar sin (10 mbomaite per uair) mar bhí gortaithe mó chrá le tamall agus níor éirigh liom ach rith fhada 18 míle a dhéanamh agus moltar duit agus tú ag ullmhú don rás 26.2 míle dhá rith 20 míle a dhéanamh. Ach nuair a chonaic mé ag sodar thart liom séadaire (pacemaker) Síneach ag díriú ar 4 uair a chloig mar am críochnaithe, dar liom go leanfainn é. Agus b'fhear cineálta, spreagúil é. Mhol sé muid nuair a chuir muid an 13 mhíle dínn, ag moladh ár luais is ar misneach. D'iompraigh sé trí bhalún ar maide ina láimh agus dar leat go raibh sé amuigh ar siúlóid Domhnaigh. Fán 20ú míle, bhí sé beagáinín dearg san aghaidh agus míle ina dhiaidh sin bhain sé de a sheacáid trom reatha ach choinnigh sé air ar fad bríste traenála.

Labhair mé leis ó am go céile, ag impí air mé a thabhairt leis thar an líne faoin 4 uair a chloig, rud nach dteárn mé ariamh (Chríochnaigh mé Baile Átha Cliath i 2005 go díreach ar 4 uair). Ba mhó m'aird airsean ná ar na milliúntaí de lucht féachána a thiontaigh amach le hócáid speisialta a dhéanamh de mharatón Nua Eabharc ach fán 23ú míle ní fhéadfainn cionneáilt leis ní b'fhaide. D'imigh mé ó luas 9:10 san uair go dtí 12 bhomaite san uair; cúlú tubáisteach. Shíl mé go gcaoinfinn nuair a chonaic mé an trí bhalún buí sin ag imeacht uaim.

Pianpháis a bhí sna mílte deireannacha ach scairt mé chugam na mairbh nuair a shíl mé cinnte go raibh mé ag dul a fháil bháis — nó, níos measa, go dtosóinn a shiúil — agus sa 100 slat deireannacha, d'éirigh liom na cosa luaidhe a thógáil agus scuaird ardaigeantach a thabhairt thar an líne deiridh.

Sin mó mharatón agat. 4 uair a chloig agus 8 mbomaite; 9 mbomaite 30 soicind san uair.

Celtic fans spell it out for the management

2010-11-07T22:32:00.001Z

The good news: I went to mass for the first time in yunks today, a sort of service before going over the top celebration by Fr Brian Jordan for the NYPD and New York Fire Department runners (in whose company I ran). It was marvellous.

The race itself was a challenge, of which more later, but I finished in respectable time and before the off presented Fr Jordan with $2,100 dollars donated by readers on the Balcony for the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus on the upper west side of Manhattan. A late contribution from Mark Guilfoyle and Casey Guilfoyle of Kentucky, fierce friends of Ireland, tipped us over the $2,000 target.

There'll be more later but for now, I was taken by this riveting picture from Celtic Park commenting on Celtic's use of the poppy on their rigs. The Celts went on to win 9-0 so I'm assuming the sentiment served to spur them on.

iphone folly and the intervention of the Holy Spirit

2010-11-06T16:27:00.001Z

Not that anyone cares but this iphone caper is madness. Yesterday, it dropped phone connection entirely. Bad enough the internet reception is a mess: it refused to link with the UMass Lowell wifi system and all around me on the train down from Boston, business junkies were hammering away on their Blackberries as I gazed down forlornly at my stubbornly silent iphone. For the record, I've already invested in a steel casing for the iphone which is supposed to solve its woeful reception problem.

Please God, they'll give me my Blackberry back. Last straw has been the inability to link by bluetooth my iphone and Mac laptop (made by the same people) so that I can transport over the photos of Mayor Harvey, Hugh Commiskey et al.

I also tried to download an app — the one area where this gizmo is supposed to trump Blackberry — but gave up after an hour when it continued to refuse my credit card details (and this for a free app, by the way).

Anyhow, I'm signed up, have got my NYPD singlet which ensures me a ride out with the cops in the morning and access to their post-race shelter in Central Park and I'm also going to go to mass in the morning (for the first time in yunks), said by no less than Fr Brian Jordan at the starting point on Staten Island.

After that, it'll be me and the Holy Spirit for 26.2 lonely miles.

I wonder is there a patron saint of iphones. St Jude perhaps.

Lowell-Lawrence Fáilte

2010-11-05T22:04:00.003Z

I hitchhiked a lift with the Mayor of Donegal and her party today to the city of Lawrence, where she was received by (pictured) Mayor Willie Lantigua (he joked with Micheál O hEanaigh, "you think I didn't get that pronounciation right, I'd like to see you try Lantigua!")

Mayor Lantigua is the first Latino mayor of Lawrence (and the first Latino Mayor in Massachusetts), once a powerhouse of Irish America, and is very proud of the city's links with the Dominican Republic. He has a great welcoming line: "Welcome to the great city of Lawrence."

After our visit to Lawrence, we dashed across to the University of Massachusetts Lowell where they have a nuclear reactor on campus of the usual sci-fi movie size and shape — I thought that was a joke but apparently not, nuclear physics is a speciality at UMass Lowell.

My iphone is out of power but I took a picture of a sculpture downtown of Hugh Commiskey who led the Irish navvies on a 30-mile trek to Lowell to build the canals which powered the mills (which led in turn to the Bread and Roses strike of 1912 in Lawrence). We also visited "The Acre", an acre of land donated to the Bishop by millowners to build St Patrick's Church. In its shadow arose an Irish shantytown which students from the archaeology departments at Queen's and UMass have been excavating. They recovered hundreds of items including rosary beads and children's marbles. The area of Fermanagh from whence they came has also been subject of a dig in a great example of inter-university collaboration which has caught the imagination of the public.

Behind the series of activities by the Irish Parnterships Center at UMass Lowell is Professor Frank Talty and his team and behind them is Chancellor Marty Meehan who gave a warm welcome to Mayor Harvey today. An exceptional and dynamic leader, former Congressman Meehan has shown what one focused, driven individual can do to boost a city's fortunes. In fact the building in which our reception was hosted had been abandoned by the previous heads of the university and left to wreck and ruin — until Chancellor Meehan insisted it be lovingly restored to its former glory with unbelievable views over the powerful Merrimack River.

Mayor Harvey addresses the Donegal Association tomorrow but for me it's the train to New York and my date with destiny! (Pictures and video from Lowell to follow.)

Flag going up

2010-11-05T01:46:00.001Z

Lawrence, Massachusetts, is an exceptional American town. A former mill town built by the Irish, it is now rebuilding itself to meet the economic challenges of the 21st Century.

Its now a majority Latino town though the Mayor Willie Lantigua has a great grá for Ireland and sponsored a reception in the State House (when he was a State representative) for the Shankill-Falls economic mission which visited Massachusetts in 2007.

If my memory serves me, Lawrence was the first US city to recognise the Republic declared by the First Dáil.

Tomorrow, when Mayor Córa Harvey and the Donegal delegation visits Lawrence, they will be receive a warm welcome from Mayor Lantigua who has ordered that the flag of Ireland be raised outside City Hall in her honour.

Meanwhile, here's the Mayor presenting to Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Charles Murphy and I'm pictured with Rep Charles Murphy and Marc Lawrence of Heartsine, who has responsibility for marketing the company's portable defibrillators across the US.

Let's pick up the Aussies' cast-offs

2010-11-04T13:17:00.003Z

Congressman Bill Delahunt

gave a rousing speech in support of Irish immigrants to the US last night at the launch in Boston of the Irish Network.

He said the E-3 Viss programme should be extended immediately to take in the Irish, noting that his own constituency in Massachusetts is "the most Irish" in the entire United States.

Ireland has a J Visa arrangement with the US which is all but meaningless. It's been extended to allow graduates to spend year in US but they must then return home, exactly about the time when they picked up some knowledge about the place and are ready to make a contribution.

An E-3 Visa on the other hand is a work visa which guarantees a Green Card which in turn can be a path to citizenship for those who want it.

I caught Congressman Delahunt's speech on video iphone and chatted with him after the event. He is convinced the established Irish need to do more for the undocumented and to achieve this E-Visa programme.

If push comes to shove, of course, we could always to to the Australians and ask them to let Ireland pull up their slack. Australia has about 10,000 E-Visas for its citizens each year and only uses about 2,500. Seems like a good opening and after all, they owe the Irish too.

Mayor Harvey at Golden Bridges, Boston

2010-11-03T21:20:00.000Z

Mayor Cora Harvey, the first Sinn Féin Mayor of County Donegal in 80 years, the first woman mayor of the county since the reorganisation of local government in 2000, and the first woman speaker at a Golden Bridges lucheon went down a treat when she addressed our annual event in the marvellous Marriott Copley Place Hotel earlier today.

Interestingly, among the statistics from her native county was that almost one third of the county's population is under 25 — quite a selling point to investors.

She was joined by Cllr Dessie Larkin of Fianna Fáil and County Manager Seamus Neely as well as Henry McGarvey, ceo of Pramerica Ireland who was joined by his manager John Fox who came up from the New Jersey headquarters of parent company Prudential to applaud Henry for being among our honorees today.

The memory stays strong

2010-11-03T14:24:00.002Z

If you want to understand where Irish America is coming from, read the home page of attorney John Foley, the Boston immigration expert, who recalls the moving story of his grandmother's journey to America...and how she never forgot.

John, of course, continues in that tradition...he was an observer at Drumcree, gave evidence to the Rosemary Nelson tribunal about his work with the assassinated human rights lawyer and has pioneered some of the most innovative ideas ever in Irish America including Irish TV.

You can see his grandmother Delia O'Toole's story here.

Democracy catching on

2010-11-03T14:17:00.002Z

I see the democracy bug is catching, the High Court in Dublin today scolded the Irish Government for failing to call the Donegal by-election after a challenge by Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty.

And bad news for First Minister Peter Robinson whose call for the abolition of Catholic schools won't cut much ice with the incoming Speaker of the US Congress, who it turns out is not only a Republican (but not the type of republican you think, Peter) but also a fervent supporter of Catholic schools.

Fr Sean McManus sends me this excerpt about Congressman John Boehner

"Now that he may be on the verge of becoming speaker, Boehner finds he has many more friends who can't wait to meet him. Every October, he holds a charity dinner in Washington to raise money for Catholic schools. (He used to co-host the event with Kennedy.) Last year, it drew a modest crowd, and Boehner pleaded with those in attendance to recruit more donors. This year, he had no such trouble. When Boehner arrived for the dinner, the ballroom was packed"

Over the line

2010-11-03T13:11:00.001Z

A good news story from the US election is that Tom DiNapoli, Comptroller of New York State, beat off a stiff challenge from republican contender Henry Wilson (who he had dubbed "a wizard of Wall Street").

DiNapoli, who has veteran civil rights advocate Pat Doherty at his side, has made repeated commitments to investing state pension funds in the Irish peace process and this victory gives him a four-year term to get his plans over the line.

In Massachusetts, where we host our Golden Bridges luncheon later today, the Democrats saw off the republican challenge — a clear sign that they took on board the Tea Party surge earlier this year which gave Scott Brown the Senate Seat of the late Ted Kennedy. Interestingly, in many constituencies, Democrats in Massachusetts don't have challengers. One exception to that rule is State Senate President Therese Murray

(who will join us later today), a staunch ally of the Irish peace process who is especially committed to working with organisations in the Derry-Donegal region. She also saw off the Republican challenge. (Picture courtesy of Cape Cod Times.)

Ag rith an ráis

2010-11-01T18:22:00.000Z

Tá an ceann scribe sa Pháirc Lárnach romham anois Dé Domhnaigh agus seo bhur seans deiridh le cupla pingin a chaitheamh sa sparán don Athair Brian Ó Siúrdáin agus a phobal in Eaglais an Ainm Naofa.

Tá mé céasta ag cléithíní loirg (amharc suas é ar focal.ie, rud a rinné mé féin) ach críochnóidh mé an 26.2 míle le cuidiú Dé.

Deis iontach mar sin leis an phíosa iontach a scríobh an tAth Brian ar an reathaíocht a chló arís ó tharla gurb é an reathaíochta an rud is cóngaraí don chreideamh dá bhfuil agam.

RUNNING FOR MY RELIGIOUS LIFE by Father Brian Jordan, OFM, Labor Priest and Immigration Counselor at Holy Name Church, Upper Westside, Manhattan.

On April 19, 2010, I will be running in the Boston Marathon. This will be my 60th overall marathon. It will also be my 20th Boston Marathon. Many people have asked me why do I run? As a Franciscan priest for 27 years, I tell people that I am ‘running for my religious life.” It is not that I am running away from something rather I have a distinct goal to run toward something meaningful. What is meaningful is completing a goal that I set out for with support from my fellow runners, the spectators and Almighty God. There are many aspects to a marathon. Here are some aspects of a marathon with anecdotal experiences from my previous 59 marathons.
SPIRITUAL I ran my first marathon in Boston on Easter Monday in April, 1979. I ran as a “bandit”—an unofficial runner. The most I have ran before that was 10 miles and lots of spiritual reading. I should have done the reverse. I finished the course in 3 hours and 34 minutes. During my first marathon at age 24, I began to reflect on the numerous Biblical verses associated with running. For instance from the Old Testament, Isaiah 40:31, “They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary.” In the New Testament with 1Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” I have not and will never win the Boston Marathon or any other marathon. For me, each person wins when they finish a marathon. As a Franciscan priest, I take comfort in the words of Philippians 3:14 “I run toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I don’t just run for myself but a marathon is a paradigm of life of beginning something then finishing that goal together with other people not just yourself. Personally, running a marathon is a prayer of praise to God for the gift of life.
PHYSICAL Running a marathon is indeed an incredible feat. You cannot just run on blind faith. You have to train with many, many miles in preparation for a marathon. I was lucky in my first marathon but even then I realized that to run another marathon would require more training. I recall meeting the nine-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis at the beginning of the New York City 2000 Marathon and he wished us well but admitted that even as a Olympian, he could not run a full marathon. WOW! Incredible honesty from this great champion. In 2006, I was near the world famous Cyclist Lance Armstrong right before the NYC Marathon. He had admitted that running a marathon was tougher than competing in Tour de France. He emphasized the importance of substantive training. Marathon training is a year round effort. Likewise, the marathon season is also year round which includes all types of weather. The coldest marathon I ran in was the 1995 NYC Marathon which occurred on the second Sunday of November rather than the customary first Sunday. Even before the race started, it was 18 degrees wind chill factor. At least 300 runners opted out of the race due to the frigid temperatures and gusty winds. I finished the marathon in about 4 and a half hours and was truly grateful when it was over. The hottest marathon I ever ran in was the 2004 Boston Marathon in which the temperature hovered over 88 degrees and the humidity was quite high. I finished the race in a little more than five hours and saw many running casualties along the way. I prayed for each and every one of them and thanked God I was not one of them. Running a marathon requires one to drink plenty of fluids before and during the marathon. And for you Irish runners—that does not include shots of Jameson and pints of Guinness! For most people, running a marathon will be the most physically challenging feat that you will ever do. You will lose weight and feel better about yourself. Learn to persevere in a marathon! Recall the words of Hebrews 12:1 “Let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us.”

EMOTIONAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL Running reduces stress and anxiety. At the same time, a novice marathoner should have reasonable expectations of oneself. Otherwise they can increase stress and anxiety along the marathon course. I have seen way too many first time marathoners trying to exceed personal goals by running faster than planned which eventually causes them to drop out of the race due to sheer exhaustion. I always tell people “to keep pace with God’s grace.” Keep your emotions and psychological framework in check. I urge runners to practice meditation before and during a race. Your emotional well-being is essential to run a satisfactory marathon. Current events can also affect the emotional-psychological make-up of runners. I vividly recall the atmosphere of both the 1980 and 1990 Marine Corps Marathons in Washington D.C. both in the late fall. In 1980, the Iranian hostage crisis was still ensuing and tragic fatalities were occurring in Central and South America. There was a sense of anger among many members of the armed forces who were running that day. I asked them to channel their anger to psychic energy to run a good marathon. Many listened to me, others ignored my pleas. In 1990, there was nervous tension among the armed forces in anticipation of the First Gulf War which commenced in January, 1991. Many were supporting their fellow troops already stationed in Kuwait. Others were awaiting their orders to be assigned to Kuwait after the marathon. I prayed for peace in their hearts, minds and souls. I especially prayed that they return home safe and sound with their loved ones. A little reassurance is always welcomed in a marathon.

Two of the most emotionally draining marathons was the October 2001 Chicago Marathon and the November 2001 New York Marathon. Both took place after the terrible attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the downed plane in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Security was at an all-time high for both marathons due to the uncertainty of whether there would be a terrorist attack at each respective marathon which numbered in the 30 thousand range. In Grant Park, Chicago, we prayed for the victims of the attacks and for the safety of all runners.

In New York, where I served as a chaplain at Ground Zero, I gave a fiery sermon at a prayer service for the runners from the New York City Police Department , the Fire Department of New York, the Port Authority Police, the FBI and other uniformed services. I yelled out “that recall on the day of September 11, 2001, many people fled from both the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan and I say today, Nov.4, 2001 let us run toward Manhattan and take it back for America.”

Of all the 27 years I have preached as a Franciscan priest, I never heard such an enthusiastic and raucous response to any homily I gave that day to over 200 uniformed service personnel and their friends. We all ran with great inspiration that day and we received tremendous support from the overflowing crowds along the streets of the five boroughs that comprise New York City. Not all marathons can match the same drama but can still be emotionally satisfying. For example, the Boston Marathon is my favorite marathon for its tradition, its tough, rugged course and for their great fans along the way. While I was running my 50th marathon before I turned 50 in 2005, I personally chose the Boston Marathon due to its charm and also being the site of the first marathon I ever ran.

INTELLECTUAL It has been said that marathon running is 90 percent thinking and 10 percent physical. After certain marathons, I thought it was the reverse. Nevertheless, positive thinking is essential in running a satisfying marathon. We need to stimulate intellectual growth in a positive way when we run in a marathon. Contrary to this belief, in the Toronto Marathon in 1995, I ran my worst marathon in 5 hours and 43 minutes. I walked about 5 miles. My training was quite good but I was immersed in negative thinking. I complained about the water stops in that particular marathon. I complained about Toronto police officers letting certain cars get in front of the runners and how we cursed not only the drivers but also the police. Initially, due to my negative thinking, I was blaming external factors beyond my control. The only one to blame for this horrid performance was myself. I misled myself with useless, negative thinking.

We need other people to influence us towards positive thinking. One prime example was in October, 2009 when I ran my tenth Chicago Marathon step for step with a Chicago-based psychologist. He emphasized the importance of positive thinking as crucially important not only in marathon running but in all intellectual developments of life.

Being intellectual in a marathon also means learning how to improvise. When I ran the October 31, 2005 Dublin Marathon, I was mortified to find out that there were only 8 water stations along the Dublin course. In most marathons, like New York, Chicago, Boston and others, there were at least 20 water stops. Despite my pleading with the race director at the marathon exhibit two days before the race, my fellow Franciscans from St. Anthony’s Church in Merchant Quay advised me to improvise during the race. While looking over the map of the city which included the course, the Irish Franciscans implored me to knock on the doors of four Irish families in four different neighborhoods of Dublin. One Irish friar said “ When they open the door, tell them who you are and that you need a glass of water. The Irish are famous for their hospitality and will gladly give you the water.” I took their advice and randomly selected four homes in four different neighborhoods. Much to my surprise not only did I receive the water but in each Irish household they asked me, “Father, before you go, can you first bless my house?” And I did as requested. Nothing for nothing for the Dubliners! So much for the price of hospitality and intellectual improvisation.!

COMMUNAL
It is my firm belief that no one really runs alone in a marathon. Besides your fellow runners, there are many people along the way who are rooting for you as you try your best to finish the marathon. I do not call them spectators but that they are active participants! I truly appreciate them because they are active and vocal with their participation. Many a time when I feel like slowing down or giving up during a marathon, a friendly voice gives me encouragement to finish the race. I am truly grateful for that person and I always wish after the marathon that I could embrace that person and say thank you. Marathon running is not merely an individual effort rather it is a communal celebration of humanity from all walks of life. Besides my fellow runners and the active participants, I am especially grateful to the volunteers who give out water, gels, fruit, ice and other helpful items. I am grateful to the police and fire departments to protect us. For the medical personnel and the musicians who soothe the body as well as the soul.

For most of my marathons, I run for a special cause: a fund for AIDS victims; operations for disabled children; funds for a food pantry; funds for the unemployed; funds for a retirement fund for elderly religious, etc. This year, for my 60th Marathon before I turn 55, I will run for St. Anthony’s Shrine near the Downtown Crossing in Boston, MA. I served there for three years and I have stayed there every time I ran in the Boston Marathon. It is a great spirit-filled place that serves well the People of God. A marathon is like life. It includes many people from the day we are born until the day we die. I liken the starting line of a marathon to our birth on earth and the finishing line as the end of our life on earth to the beginning of eternity with God in Heaven. The words of the Second Letter of Timothy 4:7 sums it up best: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” That is why I am running for my religious life!

This article is dedicated to my running partners throughout the 31 years of running marathons—stretching into 4 decades!
Vincent McCarthy Oliver Boyle Terry Prince James Smyth The Active Particpants

Wailing walls

2010-11-01T15:38:00.002Z

I hadn't seen this probing Robert Fisk piece from earlier this year until now, thanks to Niall Meehan for forwarding.

Ón Luaith go dtí an Aisling

2010-10-31T06:43:00.002Z

Ní bheidh mé i mBéal Feirste ón Mháirt agus mar sin caillfidh mé dhá ócáid tábhachtacha: seoladh cóip crua den leabhar dátheangach Sráid Bombay, agus lainseáil Gaeltique.

I Sráid Bombay, cíortar ról pobal Gaeilge Bhéal Feirste in atógáil Sráid Bombay i ndiaidh gur loisceadh na tithe ann i Lúnasa 1969. "Is é atógáil Sráid Bombay ceann de na samplaí is luaithe, is ionspioráidí agus is fearr de dhearadh agus de nuálaíocht den scoth atá againn," arsa Cathaoirleach Fhorbairt Feirste Seán Mistéil. "Tá Sráid Bombay atógtha, ach tá fíoroidhreacht agus tionchar ioconach an imeachta seo le fíorú go fóill."

Seolfaidh Clive Dutton, an saineolaí athghiniúint cathracha an leabhar ar 4 Samhain ar 7in i gColáiste Feirste.

Roimhe sin ar an lá céanna, seolfar Gaeltique in Ollscoil Choláiste Naomh Mhuire ar Bhóthar na bhFál. "Déanfaidh Líonra Gaeltique straitéisí comónta margaíochta a aithint do na mionteangacha agus dá gcultúir éagsúla chun iad a chur chun cinn agus a fhorbairt mar stórais de thráidisiúin agus chun béim a chur fosta ar a n-eisiachas agus a stádas sa domhan nua-aoiseach," arsa Seán.

Tá an dá ócáid á n-eagrú mar chuid de Sheachtain Dearaithe 2010

The real election hots up

2010-10-30T13:00:00.002+01:00

Only the Irish Echo would dare make a last-minute intervention into this Tuesday's crunch election across the US.

We've prolonged Tuesday's poll by one day to allow our readers to vote for the Massachusetts Irish American Association of the Year ahead of Wednesday's Golden Bridges Awards in Boston. At the time of writing, the young professionals of the Boston Irish Business Association are getting hammered by the AOH, the Irish Immigration Center and by the Irish Pastoral Center.

You can vote through our site now (but you can only vote once which will be a surprise to some of our less scrupulous visitors!) and then you can say that you voted in this week's American elections!

Click here to cast your vote.

The dreaded iphone switchover and those Peter Quinn remarks

2010-10-30T11:31:00.000+01:00

I have moved from Blackberry to iphone and it's a disaster though I'm prepared to be patient in the expectation that the poor phone reception, the dropped calls and emails which don't load are all teething problems.

However, my pal Robin Livingstone tells me the iphone is a piece of junk for use solely by teenagers to impress one another. He brings his son's £10 Nokia to work along with his iphone so that he can take and make calls.

Have they sold a hundred million of these iphones yet? Could everyone but me be wrong. Hopefully not.

Meanwhile, here's how Peter Quinn (the New York author) introduced the Irish American Writers and Artists celebration evening:

"Anyone who's here at Rosie O'Grady's to try out for a part in The Vagina Monologues is in the wrong place. Those tryouts are being held on 23rd Street at a shebeen called Rosy Scenarios. Later tonight, however, several of us so-called Golden Years will be gathering at the bar downstairs to work on a new play titled The Angina Dialogues.

"You'll notice from its title that our organisation — Irish American Writers and Artists — is a condundrum inside an oxymoron. The conundrum is perennial: How do you bring together writers and artists — people who are inherently independent, individualistic, rebellious and often downright anarchistic — into an organisation. The oxymoron is self-evident: come on now, an Irish organisation of writers and artists? Has there ever been a people with a more well-earned reputation for arguments, fights and splits?

"That truth has been driven home to me in my role as president of the official branch of Irish American Writers and Artists...as opposed to the recently-formed provisional branch. So far I've survived, three assassination attempts, two coup d'états, and an impeachment proceeding. That was last week, let's see what this week brings.

"We are a growing organisation and growing pains are part of being young. The important thing is that, thanks to all of you here tonight, we are growing. What we need now is not just your continued support but your active involvement in helping us to develop and carry out a schedule of events that bring together artists to mingle, share their ideas, their work, their plans, and build a true community."

What's in a name?

2010-10-28T22:03:00.000+01:00

After a full day at the NI Water hq in North Belfast, looking out at Cavehill and the Cliftonville golf course, I've resolved to do one of two things: climb Ben Madigan or take up golf. Or both.

In the meantime, I will polish up on my ice hockey terms so that I can welcome the Boston Bruins to the Golden Bridges celebration in Boston next Tuesday when they'll be picking up a special award in recognition of their historic visit to Belfast at the start of this month.

A highlight of the Bruins' visit was the presentation of a team jersey to Minister Arlene Foster with the name FOSTER on the back. I decided we should reciprocate by presenting our chief honoree Rep. Charles Murphy with a Belfast Giants jersey which carries his name. Turns out getting a special name printed on a jersey is more difficult on this side of the Atlantic. However, I struck lucky in the fact that the Giants' goalkeeper (who kept the Bruins at bay for 37 minutes or so) is a Murphy. Problem solved.

The one that got away!

2010-10-27T21:38:00.002+01:00

Frank Reynolds, of Leitrim stock, was with the Boston Irish Business Association delegation which we hosted to dinner at the Whitefort at the start of last year.

At the time, myself and others pitched Belfast hard as the site for the development of Frank's revolutionary spine-tear healing drugs. Frank, of course, is an exceptional man, having himself spent many years confined to bed due to a back injury. At the Whitefort dinner, Gerry Adams presented Frank with a special gift to welcome him to Belfast.

As it turned out, Frank decided to stay close to base and continue to ramp up his research and development work at MIT in Boston, meriting a major article in our favourite magazine Inc earlier this year.

Today, his company InVivo floated, raising several million dollars in the process and hopefully giving Frank a few dollars to fund the next stage of this lifesaving drug development. For my money, I never thought Frank's idea had been lost to Ireland. This drug is going to be huge — and some day, no doubt, it will be manufactured in Ireland, perhaps in Leitrim (from where Frank's people hail) or bordering Fermanagh.

I first met Frank at an Irish Echo 40 under 40 celebration in 2008 — if, as Brian O'Dwyer joked last week, we introduce a 70 under 70, I've no doubt that 30 years from now, Frank will be joining us as a Nobel Laureate.

Anyhow, we can get to discuss all that and much more when Frank joins us at the fourth annual Golden Bridges luncheon in Boston on 3 November. Until then, congrats Frank.

Liatroim Abú.

Poppies in the wind

2010-10-26T23:25:00.000+01:00

Straws in the wind set to disturb efforts to build support for a new era in policing come from the most unexpected sources.

The sporting of poppies is a political statement in Britain but in the North of Ireland it is also, sadly, often used as a sectarian symbol. Wise counsel would suggest that an impartial police force avoid wearing poppies in republican areas — not least because they evoke memories of the despised RUC officer, machine gun in one hand, baton in the other, poppy on the helmet.

Apparently, those who support the wearing of poppy on the PSNI uniform won that argument. Last week in West Belfast, before the official poppy season kicked in, officers were patrolling the streets — where their welcome remains tentative — with the poppy on show, two weeks before the official appeal kicks off.

Similarly, the vindictive efforts to railroad dissident republican Gerry McGeough into jail for an IRA attack carried out a lifetime ago smacks of the worst actions of securocrats. How strange that anyone who raises the slaughter of civilians by the British Army is dismissed as living in the past while enormous resources are deployed to put Gerry McGeough behind bars in connection with an incident from those same dark days. When Mr McGeough's trial starts on 1 November, don't be surprised if it collapses swiftly. All the evidence is that while paper-thin cases were sufficient to imprison republicans in the seventies along the conveyor belt of Castlereagh and courts, things have tightened up considerably since then. Let's see

Yellow Bittern on Second Avenue

2010-10-25T23:44:00.000+01:00

Comptroller John Liu, who addressed our Irish Law and Order 50 celebration last week also got the best picture of the evening — with the Paramus, NJ, police department in the background.

Meanwhile, I've been catching up with some of the people who attended the Irish Business Organisation business breakfast I addressed last week in Fitzpatrick's Hotel on New York's Lexington Avenue.

Among then was Maralyn Dolan who has established her own printing and graphics company in New York, Integrated. There was also the energetic young Niall O'Kelly who has his own design business, O'Kelly Design. And we had the pleasure of the company of Sean McNeill of McNeill Real Estate who knows the property market in the Big Apple as well as anyone.

But pride of place must go to Maribel Aviles of Country Bank, a New York bank set up by Irish American Joseph Murphy. Country Bank has strong, enduring ties to Ireland but that's not the only reason I bank there: it also emerged unscathed from the banking crisis, reflecting its founder's prudence and foresight. More than that, Joseph Murphy is a longstanding patron of the Irish arts and in Mirabel's office on Second Avenue I snapped this photo of a tapestry, made in Gleann Colm Cille, Southwest Donegal, of the story of An Bonnán Buí/The Yellow Bittern, an old favourite of mine.

Ach a Bhuinnéain Bhuí, sé mo léan do luí
Is na cnámha sínte ar leacaibh lom
Is nach dteárn dí nó dolaidh sa tír

Is nárbh fhearr fíon nó uisce poill

Bearhug Brian

2010-10-25T18:07:00.002+01:00

Born of Irish immigrants, Fr Brian Carty runs one of the most successful schools for children of little financial means in New York. You can see his fascinating story in today's New York Times.

Treading the boards

2010-10-23T17:38:00.000+01:00

I have been tardy in my blog postings this week, a sign that I haven't caught up with myself since my arrival in New York. Perhaps on the flight home tonight, I can decompress and pick out some highlights.
My main focus this coming week will be the fourth annual Golden Bridges luncheon in Boston on 3 November where we will honour Rep. Charles Murphy, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee in the Massachusetts State House, and several others of equal merit. You can buy tickets online at the link above.

Last night, I made it up to Irvington, a little town on the banks of the Hudson River about 30 miles outside New York City. Having seen it, I'm baffled as to why anyone would want to live in the city. Des Lyons, who took me out for a run along the path of an old aqueduct bringing water to New York, tells me the city is great but no place for raising children and as the father of five, including triplets, he knows that of which he speaks. We had a great run-out and this morning I completed a half-marathon which puts me sort of on course for the marathon which I am running for Fr Brian Jordan's Church of the Holy Name in the upper west side of Manhattan. I saw Fr Brian, the flying friar, at the Law and Order event and he's rallying the troops to make sure I pass the finishing line in good shape. If I were the Kenyans, I'd be getting nervous about this Belfast challenge. All donations gratefully accepted at the link on this blog but we're just above our $2,000 target.

Now I'm off downtown to a symposium on the Famine organised by Owen Rodgers and Deanna Turner. I will chair a session at which two of the greatest authorities on the Famine will speak. Christine Kinealy, Professor of Irish Studies at Drew University outside New York and Sinead McColle, Curator of the Jackie Clarke collection of over 100,000 items which you can see on your next visit to Ballina, Co Mayo, and author of the great book, No Ordinary Women.

No doubt you caught the review of Christine's new book, War and Peace by Jude Collins on this blog a few days ago. Delighted to be asked to be involved in this important initiative. Even on a Saturday, the Irish don't stop.

Finally, a picture from Stone Street in Lower Manhattan to cheer you up: Emily Donohue, Michael O'Keefe and (centre) Conor Allen from the NYSE Euronext. We were eating our pulled pork (not sure what that is but there was a lot of it) when Conor spotted us. Michael and Emily tread the boards for a living; them and everyone else in this city, apparently. They really should be at next year's August Féile in West Belfast, if there's a God in heaven at all. I'm on it.

Death of John Harrison

2010-10-22T16:19:00.000+01:00

Tá brón orm cluinstin fá bhás John Harrison, duine de na daoine is deise agus is cineálta dár oibir le preas-chorps an Tuaiscirt. Go raibh leaba i measc na ngriangrafadóir clúiteach aige.

An tseachtain seo bhí sé ag cur pictiúirí chugainn as an chomhdháil eacnamaíochta chugainn.

'Read this book'

2010-10-21T09:56:00.000+01:00

Our reviewer Jude Collins says you should read the new book by Christine Kinealy, War and Peace, which will be launched in New York this Friday night as part of the Famine symposium.

You can see the full, adulatory review online at the Belfast Media site.

Who are we to disagree.

Is there a detective in the house?

2010-10-21T03:30:00.001+01:00

We had a smashing celebration at the Irish Consulate tonight to raise a glass to the Irish Law and Order 50 where chief honoree was Dub Chief John Timoney, who has held the No. 1 position in law enforcement in Philadelphia and Miami and was Number 2 in New York. Also addressing our audience were New York City Commissioner of Small Business Rob Walsh and Comptroller John Liu ("my mother's from Co Taiwan," he cracked).

On the way out with the Philly contingent, we stopped to pick up the crystal plaque for Tom Byrne, Chief of the Police Department in Ridley, Pennsylvania. Turns out it was gone. We had been joking earlier that it was unlikely that any coats would be stolen, or pockets picked with 50 cops in the room but turns out we were overly optimistic...someone made off with Tom's award. Of course, it could be an honest mistake rather than the work of a sneakthief but we that would't be as good a story.

Pictured at the celebration are Belfast's Geraldine Hughes, Department of Street and Sanitation from Chicago Thomas G Byrne (a different Tom Byrne) who served in the Chicago Police Department for 35 years and his wife Ellen.

UPDATE New York 2pm: Mystery solved: Chicago Tom Byrne called to said we gave him the wrong bag and he has the plaque for Philadelphia Tom Byrne. And good for him, he's going to call the Chief of Police at Ridley to set matters straight and the plaque is already on its way to Pennsylvania. As you would expect in a room of detectives, case closed within 24 hours.

Macallaí na Gorta Móire

2010-10-20T11:26:00.000+01:00

The Famine Echoes Conference in New York this weekend is now on Facebook and among the speakers will be acclaimed writers Christine Kinealy of Drew University (whose new book War and Peace got a five-star review from Jude Collins) and Mary Pat Kelly from Chicago.

The entire conference will take place at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, which gave sanctuary to many Irish fleeing An Ghorta Mhór, in Lower Manhattan.

The full agenda is below:
Famine Echoes; Ireland and the United States

Friday, 22 October 2010

Launch of War and Peace, Ireland since the 1960s by Professor Christine Kinealy, Drew University, at O'Lunney's Times Square Pub, 145 W45th Street, 6.30-8.30. Phone 212 840 6688

Saturday, 23 October 2010

Venue: Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 State Street, Manhattan. 212 269-6865. Website- www.setonshrine.com.

Session One: 11.00-1.00 Denying The Famine: Starvation and Survival

Chair: Patricia Harty (Irish America magazine)

Gerard McAtasney, “Hidden history; Protestants and An Gorta Mor in Ulster, “Sean Cahill, 'Hunger, feasting and revenge in the songs of Eoghan Ruadh O Suilleabhain and Maire Bhui Ni Laoire , Mary Pat Kelly, 'A Galway Famine migration to America'

Session Two: 2.30-4.30 Famine memories

Chair: Martin O'Muilleoir (The Irish Echo)

Christine Kinealy, “Living with the legacy of the Great Hunger,” Sinead McCoole, 'Ireland's memory-Famine in Mayo'

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Ecumenical Service for the Famine Dead at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 State Street, 10.00 a.m. Concelebrated by Fr. Peter Meehan and Rev. Dr. Ronnie Stout-Kopp (Anglican/ Episcopal). Music by Mary Courtney

Session Three: 11.00-1.00 Experiencing Famine

Chair: Jim Cullen (Brehon Law Society)

Running total

2010-10-20T03:03:00.000+01:00

The medics have ordered me off the roads due to infected 'shin splints' but now heavily dosed with anti-inflammatories and penicillin, I'm keen to start building for one more long run before the New York marathon on 7 November.

The 'Flying Friar' Fr Jordan gave me the once over last night at the Artists and Writers gig and will be calling for the intercession of the Holy Spirit to get me over the 20 mile mark (marathons famously being made up of two halves, the first 20 and the final six). He's clearly enjoying his decision not to run this entire marathon, as he was downing a pint of the black stuff at Rosie's. Sláinte mhór.

I put a small item in the Irish Echo last week about Des Lyons of New York who is also running the marathon — in his case for the fight against lung cancer — and I'm planning to meet up with Des for a run on Friday. Following the article, I got generous cheques sent into the Echo offices by Rep Charles Murphy of Boston and Larry Ginsberg of Brooklyn. Go raibh míle maith agaibh. We are certainly going to hit our $2,000 target for the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in New York — a church associated with Fr Jordan — and we may exceed that amount if I can get my sponsorship forms out at the Irish Echo Law and Order celebration in New York tomorrow. On Friday afternoon, I'm going to head out of New York to meet Des for a light run and I'll get to see Westchester for the first time (though I first heard it referenced in a Loudon Wainwright song 30 years ago, "I was born here in Westchester County".)

I don't expect to see the Bard of New York Pete Hamill during this trip to New York though I hope to take him up on his offer of putting 'the laughter of Belfast' centrestage in our 2011 conference, but I did manage to email him a series of photos of his mother Annie which were provided to me by Jackie Rice, a veteran West Belfast raconteur and musician — and quite a lensman too. As well as pictures Jackie took of Mrs Hamill in New York in 1976 (she emigrated to New York in 1929), he sent this photo of Annie Devlin, as she was then, and her classmates at Lagan Village school on the Ravenhill Road about 1916.

Jackie's mother-in-law is in the school photo and when he met Annie Hamill, she was able to tell him that she had gone to school with his mother-in-law. "The school photo shows my mother-in-law Annie Murphy nee Johnston," says Jackie. "She is 4th from the right second row front. It will be wonderful if Pete can spot his mother if she is in this group."

Over to the Bard.

The kitchen sink and all

2010-10-19T21:43:00.000+01:00

They were holding out on me with this photo of Haskell Wexler, the youngest 88-year-old in California and multiple Oscar winner who was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Belfast Film Festival back in April. At the time, the organisers didn't have a spare jawbox available but it was sent out to California by and by and I got to present in in August, unshaven and sunburnt on return from the Channel Islands.

This morning, it was a thrill to address the Irish Business Organisation of New York and meet with its energetic, wired-in members including John Lee (who also did PR for the writers and artists last night) and film-maker Maura Kelly as well as Maralyn Dolan of Integrated Printing and Graphics and Jack Fogarty of O'Dwyer PR.

Photo by Kevin McKiernan, lighting courtesy of three or four house lights being held by willing trainees.

Finally, I'm told that 45 of the 50 Irish Law and Order honorees are planning to attend our celebration at the Irish Consulate tomorrow evening; the highest number ever of honorees who have attended a Top 50 event. We're onto something.

'Longest O'Neill production ever'

2010-10-19T12:11:00.001+01:00

At the Irish American Writers and Artists annual reception in New York last night, they honoured veteran screen and stage actor Brian Dennehy as the aristocracy of the Irish arts scene applauded: TJ English, Peter Quinn (not our Peter Quinn), William Kennedy of Roscoe fame, Mary Pat Kelly, Larry Kirwan and Malachy McCourt among others.

It took a while to get Dennehy up on stage to accept his Tiffany award, courtesy of the company's Irish American CEO Jim Quinn ("The last time the Irish were in Tiffany's before Jim was during the Draft Riots," cracked Peter Quinn), there was a lot of prologue. But then he's had a long career, playing more detectives than we'll have at Wednesday night's Consulate tribute to the Irish American law enforcement officers of the US.

Dennehy is also something of a Eugene O'Neill scholar and perhaps our greatest actor at bringing O'Neill's troubling tales to the stage. Therefore when he said as he finally rose to accept his award from William Kennedy: "I've been in a lot of long O'Neill plays but, believe me, this is the longest I've ever been in", you had to take his word for it.

The great man also cited Belfast as having "the best bars in Ireland" and I presume he knows of which he speaks.

A great occasion, courtesy of the greatest organisation in Irish America the Irish American Writers and Artists Association.

The writers and artists won't be in DC today for the crunch economic conference, from which you should expect good news. But that's okay because they corporate fundraising and job investment drives which target Irish America — both vitally important — actually only touch two per cent of Irish America. The other 98 per cent are more likely to be found, if not in the Irish American Writers and Artists Association, then reading and watching their work.

Off to breakfast with the only organisation which has a dancing architect for its President: The Irish Business Organisation of New York.

I hope to bring you more of Peter Quinn's introduction later today but for now that's me with Peter Quinn and in the other picture with Brian Dennehy and former NYPD detective Brian McCabe, who I first met when I accompanied Gerry Adams to the US in January 1996 and Brian, who was in charge of his security for the NYPD, met the famous visitor at the door of our Aer Lingus plane and escorted him off....for a haircut.

Mayor Cora Harvey for Boston luncheon

2010-10-17T06:49:00.001+01:00

The Mayor of County Donegal Cora Harvey will be the guest of honour at the fourth annual Golden Bridges celebration in Boston on 3 November. She's a very capable, young politician and part of the formidable Sinn Féin team in the county (which, surprisingly, still has no republican TD).

A graduate of both Queen's University and University of Ulster, she works with the social services in Donegal and has a young family so we're delighted she's been able to squeeze in this visit to Boston which will also involve a range of activities to promote the county and the Letterkenny-Derry gateway.

For further details about the Boston event, which will also honour Sr Lena Deevy, who does extraordinary work for the undocumented, Rep Charles Murphy and Pramerica Ireland CEO Henry McGarvey, see our website.

An saol ina cheart arís

2010-10-16T15:39:00.000+01:00

Shleamhnaigh siad isteach ag an bhun mé ach ní miste sin mar chiallaíonn sé gurb é Ceap Cuddles an chéad leabhar a roghnaigh an duine atá ag iompar na leabhar!

Agus os comhair na Cultúrlainne tchím go maireann Daily Ireland beo i dtólamh. Maith iad.

Poll power

2010-10-16T13:12:00.000+01:00

The Irish Echo poll for Irish American Law Enforcement Officer of the Year is proving very popular. I'm particularly taken by this map of America which shows where votes have come from — home states have done well for each of our 'candidates'.

But my particular interest is in the phenomenal free software (adapted for our use by our internet wizard John Ferris) which enables us to put up these polls online and enjoy this type of analysis.

Polls Powered By MicroPoll

Speaking up for Donegal

2010-10-15T09:20:00.003+01:00

Donegal boasts the most stunning scenery in Ireland — and the worst unemployment rates. It's a pity then that it doesn't have a strong advocate at next week's Economic Conference in DC.

That's the view of Reps Eugene O'Flaherty, Charles Murphy and Marty Walsh from Masschusetts, who visited Belfast, Donegal and Derry at the start of the month.

They have now written to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that she invite a representative from Donegal to the event next week. That seems like an eminently sensible idea and may move us closer to the stage where we have one entity abroad promoting investment in Ireland, rather than two competing agencies: Invest NI and the IDA.

I'm pleased that Donegal County Council will be involved in the Golden Bridges luncheon in Boston on 3 November and have no doubt the county will put its best foot forward, stressing the synergy between Derry and Donegal.

You can read the full letter here and the Boston group is pictured above visiting Coláiste Feirste.

Unsung hero of the peace process

2010-10-15T09:10:00.001+01:00

Tom DiNapoli, comptroller (effectively chief financial officer) of New York State, is in the electoral fight of his life against a Republican (their republican, not our republican) rival he has branded a "wizard of Wall Street".

If the Republican wins, it will undoubtedly mean a downgrading of interest in using pension funds ethically to effect change in corporate or country behaviours. And that would be bad at a time when the State Comptroller's Office has received a huge boost by the moving of Pat Doherty from the City Comptroller to the State Comptroller office.

Pat, whose people hail from Derry, is effectively the guy who wrote the MacBride Principles, and with others made them an unstoppable force for good.

Tom DiNapoli (left) and Pat are pictured with Gerry Adams during his recent visit to New York.

More masterplans

2010-10-14T18:02:00.000+01:00

Isn't it a pity, you can't put a masterplan on a plate and eat it! I have praised Minister Attwood's can-do attitude from the balcony over recent months and trust more masterplans doesn't mean delaying more actions.

Attwood publishes response to proposed masterplans for Belfast’s disadvantaged areas

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today launched a report on regeneration plans for five of Belfast’s most disadvantaged areas, following a public consultation.

Local organisations want a further masterplan for Shaftesbury Square and its surrounding neighbourhoods. The Department has given a commitment to explore this further with the local area partnership.

As a result of the consultation the Minister also announced a new approach to area planning for the Lower Shankill. The Department now plans to establish a working group, with community and statutory representation, to draw together Housing Executive proposals and physical improvements outlined in the Masterplan. This means there will be a delay in publication of the final Lower Shankill Masterplan.

Alex Attwood said: “Each of the five masterplan areas occupies a key location in Belfast, close to the city centre and home to at least one arterial route. However, they are not delivering their full economic potential.

“We can take a first step in reversing this trend and drawing private investors back into the areas by setting out a shared vision for the physical regeneration of these areas: a vision agreed by local people, relevant statutory organisations and community stakeholders.”

The consultation took place between October 2009 and March 2010 and was open to written responses and discussion at a number of public events held in local venues. Comments raised by local people and organisations have led to a number of changes to the final plans, which will be published in winter 2010.

Minister Attwood said: “The end result will be a more robust plan that has the agreement of all the relevant parties, including the local community.”

The Minister confirmed that he was making substantial bids in Budget 2010 for the resources needed to implement the plans.

The aim of the five Physical Regeneration Concept Masterplans is to provide a framework for tackling dereliction and making better use of resources in the targeted areas of Belfast: Inner East Belfast, York Road/Shore Road, Crumlin Road (including Lower Oldpark), Lower Shankill and Lower Falls. The plans will be used by the Department to provide a balanced approach to public and private sector investment in the regeneration of these areas over the next decade.

Out from the darkness

2010-10-13T20:55:00.002+01:00

I feel a bit like a Chilean miner after spending a full day at meetings only to emerge at 6pm...to go to another meeting in the Cultúrlann.

But now I'm back I've had a chance to vote for the Irish American Law Enforcement Officer of 2010 in the Irish Echo poll ahead of next week's unique gathering of the Irish Law and Order 50 in New York.

Indeed, it is far from this I was 'rared'.

Margaret steps up

2010-10-12T17:50:00.003+01:00

Another fillip for one of the Irish Echo 40 Under 40 Honorees:

VELOCIDI NAMES MARGARET MOLLOY AS PARTNER
Molloy brings extensive experience in marketing and sales enablement to digital agency

October 12, 2010 — New York, NY: Velocidi, a next-generation digital marketing firm, is pleased to welcome Margaret Molloy as Partner. In her new role Molloy will lead group marketing and business development for Velcoidi.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Margaret to the team,” said David Dunne, Founder and CEO of Velocidi. “Her experience in marketing combined with her background in B2B strategy and executive engagement will be a real asset to our clients.”

Molloy brings more than fifteen years’ experience in marketing and sales enablement to Velocidi. Most recently she helped build the marketing organization at Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), the worldwide expert network.

“I joined Velocidi because I recognized that many of my CMO peers are grappling with how to plan and execute scalable digital marketing for their brands. The Velocidi team of digital veterans and the model, which combines working with best-in-class companies and emerging firms, provides a compelling solution for brands.”

Previously Molloy held marketing leadership positions at Siebel Systems, the software application company that made CRM a must-have business tool, and Telecom Ireland. She is also a prominent member of The CMO Club and has been recognized by various organizations for her business leadership. A native of Ireland, she earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Back on the boil

2010-10-12T15:00:00.003+01:00

There is a good report here on the UTV website by Jamie Delargey on the Comptroller John Liu visit.

And our photographer John Kelly caught him this morning, in front of Divis Tower at the gateway to West Belfast, before he headed out of town and back to New York.

And here's a short video clip from the Comptroller by John Kelly.

Conas atá tú

2010-10-11T18:01:00.000+01:00

Daithí Mac Lochlainn in New York is on eternal vigil to defend the Irish language – but one office that can rest easy is the Office of the Comptroller of New York City.

For opening his comments today, the Comptroller said to his assembled breakfast guests: "Conas atá tú?"

Maith mo ghasúr.

North leads the way

2010-10-11T17:49:00.001+01:00

I've been tremendously impressed by the dynamism and leadership coming from North Belfast in recent times. At our conferences earlier this year and in my visit to the New Lodge and Carrick Hill with Ulster University head Richard Barnett, I could sense that real progress was being made — even though huge obstacles remain.

That's why it's great to see the emboldened communities of North Belfast forge ahead with an ambitious week of activities under the Respect Banner.

I'm sorry I can't join the plenary session on Wednesday as I have a full schedule organised in relatino to a new media project but I believe Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson will be there. Good for them. And Richard Barnett will be there too: good for him.

Paul Roberts of the groundbreaking Ashton Centre puts the aims of the initiative well in his introduction to the programme:

While over the past three years a highly successful Respect Programme was held in the Greater New Lodge area, organised by the New Lodge CEP, this is the first time that such an impressive body of work is being delivered on a cross community partnership basis across North Belfast.
Ashton Community Trust has been asked to facilitate this body of work by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister who are co funding this programme alongside the Housing Executive.
The North Belfast Respect Programme is wholly about embracing respect for everyone, a practice we endeavour to implement in our everyday lives here at Ashton.
We, as a collective, believe that this year’s programme involves a series of very worthwhile events that will be of interest to local people, community activists, the business and education sectors, government policy makers, politicians and society at large.
We believe there is something in this programme to interest everyone from cross community history tours, fun runs and youth drama productions.
We hope we will see friends old and new at these events which are designed to increase awareness around a range of issues and in the end produce a healthy amount of debate and a wealth of positive actions for the future.
The overall intention of the programme is to positively contribute to the development of a culture of respect that would move forward the day when all individuals regardless of politics, culture, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability are treated as equals and can live, work and socialise together in harmony.
We hope that you enjoy the 2010 Respect Programme and we extend a very warm invitation to everyone who wishes to participate. We offer our thanks to all the organisers who have worked hard to create a truly unique showcase of events that displays the very positive cross-community relationships and ground breaking work that is happening across North Belfast.

A win-win solution for New York and Belfast

2010-10-11T16:42:00.000+01:00

Andersonstown News editorial this morning:

Céad míle fáilte for Comptroller Liu

It’s fitting that ‘billion dollar man’ John Liu, Comptroller of New York City, should arrive in Belfast on the same day as Pobal was hosting its annual carnival demanding the introduction of the oft-promised Irish Language Act.
For, as the first-ever Asian-American elected to city-wide office in New York, Comptroller Liu (effectively the city’s chief financial officer) knows how fundamental respect, inclusion and equality are to a city’s progress.
Indeed, the Comptroller is only visiting this part of the world at all because his office has traditionally taken a strong interest in the battle here for fair employment. It’s fair to say that the MacBride Principles on Fair Employment, which were the catalyst for our fair employment legislation, were the brainchild of the New York comptroller’s office.
The fact-finding mission by Comptroller Liu is building on that legacy as he explores the potential to make an investment in North Ireland which will both get a return for his pension fund members – New York public workers – and make a difference in those areas which suffered the most during the long years of warfare.

Criticism
Previous efforts to square that circle have floundered. But, to his credit, Comptroller Liu has not turned his back on the North. Instead, less than a year since taking office he is making his first visit to Ireland, despite criticism at home for even considering North Ireland as an investment location, to determine how New York pension funds can build the peace – while making a return.
We applaud Comptroller Liu for putting peace first and for delivering on his commitments to the New York Irish American community.
But even as we bid him céad mile fáilte, we also challenge the leaders of West Belfast and Shankill to come together to create the investment vehicle which could partner, on a win-win basis, with the New York City pension funds.

(Pictured: Jim Neeson, Chair of Conway Mill, Mike Carroll, Jack Ahern, Comptroller John Liu, Gerry Adams, Brian O'Dwyer)

"One down, six to go"

2010-10-11T16:19:00.000+01:00

It's great to see Charlie McMenamin's case reported in the Guardian this morning. Charlie of course is one of the Derry victims who was accused, tried and convicted not only of an offence he didn't commit but of an offence which never happened.

My morning opened at the Europa where I brought a mixed bag of civic leaders together to meet with Comptroller of New York City John Liu — an exceptional honorary Irish American — to discuss his plans to make a profitable, society-changing investment in North Ireland. I like Comptroller Liu's approach: he says he wants to do things; not talk. That's admirable and I've made him a promise that he'll be our guest of honour at the Aisling Awards if he makes an investment in the communities which suffered the most during the years of warfare and must now benefit the most from the peace.

Among my guests were Howard Hastings, MD of Hastings Hotel, David Lyle of Lyle-Bailie International, Mark Finlay (the Unionist Party's newest standardbearer), PR guru Paul McErlean, former Alliance Lord Mayor Tom Ekin, Cultúrlann supremo Eimear Ní Mhathúna, people's architect Ciarán Mackel, CBI Chair Terence Brannigan, Cable and Wireless MD for Africa and Europe Sean Mahon, and Sinn Féin councillor Conor Maskey who heads up the City Hall Development Committee. Accompanying the Comptroller were his uber-efficient assistant Kristin Hoff and Thad McTigue, a long-term friend of Ireland in the Comptroller's Office as well as Mark Kim who was helping the Comptroller get away a bond for over $1bn in the European markets last week.

Brian O'Dwyer of legendary legal firm O'Dwyer and Bernstien was joined by his colleague Mike Carroll and President of the NYC Central Labour Council Jack Ahern. I thought Brian put the visit in context when he said "our Irish American cousins" wanted to continue the positive work of the Comptroller's Office by investing in the communities which need to see that peace brings benefits.

Later at Conway Mill, Gerry Adams presented Comptroller Liu with a blackthorn stick (above) and told him its acceptance meant his seventh son or daughter would have to return to Ireland. The Comptroller checked the number: "Seventh?" "Yes," confirmed Gerry Adams. "One down, six to go," replied the Comptroller.

The editorial in today's Andersonstown News put in context this first-ever visit to Ireland by Comptroller Liu: New York City — and other strong Irish American cities — wish to invest in the peace. Now let's build the investment vehicles to make such investments possible.

Twin constituencies for Comptroller Liu

2010-10-10T14:25:00.000+01:00

New York City Comptroller John Liu arrives in Belfast tomorrow on a fact-finding mission linked to continuing efforts to find suitable, profitable investment vehicles in the North of Ireland for the city's $103bn pension fund.

It's worth noting that there are those within Mr Liu's New York constituency who believe he shouldn't be in Ireland at all, given our well-publicised economic woes. Equally, of course, the New York Irish believe such investments are essential and would build on the great work of successive comptrollers in promoting the MacBride Principles on Fair Employment.

Despite that, Comptroller Liu is keen to find investment opportunities which get a return and help build the peace. Previous efforts via the Emerald Fund, which cost $3m in fees but made no investments, ended in tears. It's to Comptroller Liu's credit that he's willing to start all over again; a lesser representative would have walked away.

The challenge for communities in the hardest-pressed areas of Belfast is to identify investments which can be society-changing while benefiting the city employees who have contributed to the pension funds. The argument that the New York pension funds should go to the areas which suffered the most during the years of warfare has been won. But now the projects which can take those investments must step forward. Derry has ILEX, a regeneration body which could handle this type of pension fund investment. Where is West Belfast's ILEX?

I hope to bid Comptroller Liu a céad míle fáilte to Belfast early tomorrow. As the first Asian-American to achieve citywide elected office in New York, he won't need to be brought up to speed with the battle for equality and inclusion here.

In this picture, I'm joined at our New York New Belfast conference by Mary Chang, John Liu and Len O'Hagan, Chair of the Harbour Commissioners.

The 51st adventure

2010-10-09T20:32:00.001+01:00

Don Mankin, author of the ultimate book on 50 madcap but thrilling journeys you must undertake, prefarably before death, Riding the HulaHula across the Arctic Ocean, ame into the Cultúrlann today when I was sipping my latté with Sean Paul O'Hare, Director of Féile an Phobail and Caifé Feirste maitre d' Michael Rogan.

I've just bought his book on amazon, it cost a fiver! Don has the sort of business card I long for: "Don Mankin PhD Writer, Speaker, Consultant, Coach". He is in Belfast on a diversion back from Edinburgh where he was attending a conference on 'adventure holidays'. The last time he was here was in August '69, that time on his way to Scotland. He saw the city in flames as the boat to Glasgow pulled out of port — so that would place his last visit here to 14-15 August, the night of the pogroms (if I've got my history straight).

Here he is outside the Cultúrlann with the aforementioned duo — he's centre, SP, left. We rushed him down to the Crown Bar where a pub crawl was starting for tourists at 4pm. The Cultúrlann really is the 51st adventure, before Don arrived, a large group of German students had piled in for lunch. Hot on their heels was a Spanish group.

Cheannaigh mé Gaelscéal sa Cheathrú Póilí, siopa na Cultúrlainn — go maire siad a nuaíocht; colúnaithe láidre, Páidí Ó Lionáird, Conall Ó Móráin, Eoghan Ó Néill agus Concubhar Ó Liatháin, a ceapadh an tseachtain seo ar Bhord TG4. An cat i measc na gcoiliúr? Ní dóigh liom é ach guth neamhspleách le treoir a thabhairt don chraoltóir agus le raic a thógáil in éadan na gciorruithe atá beartaithe. Agus tugaim faoi deara nach bhfuil ceann ar bith de leabhair údáir aitheanta ar na leabhair atá á n-iompair ag an scoláire bocht taobh amuigh den Chultúrlann go fóillín.....

Lá mór amárach 10.10.10. Tomorrow all roads lead to St George's Market for the wonderful annual Pobal demonstration of revelry for rights. Expect a cast of thousands at the beautiful city-centre venue to demand the Irish Language Act promised by the British four years ago. Will Owen Paterson join us — not going by his early report card on Gerry Adams' blog.

Bright spot on dark horizon

2010-10-08T21:57:00.000+01:00

At least Robbie Keane was wearing his Captaen armband; a silver lining?

Meanwhile, I'm pleased to say that we may just have a representative of the Garda Síochána and PSNI join us for the Irish Law and Order 50 celebration in the Irish Consulate, New York, on 20 October. That would certainly be a turn-up for the books.

And I note in the North Belfast News that the dialogue between the University of Ulster and its neighbouring communities in relation to its city centre campus development proposal stepped up a gear this week when 20 community leaders met Vice-Chancellor Richard Barnett in Carrick Hill. I feel we are moving towards a Community Benefits Agreement proposal — basically the community's bottom line if it is to support the uni — from the grassroots.

Marathon? Ran five on Monday, 6.5 on Thursday and aiming to do 16 tomorrow morning.

Finally, Mayor Ray Flynn of Boston has confirmed as one of our honorees at the fourth annual Golden Bridges celebration in Boston on 3 November. Now to confirm our guest speaker from the northwest. Wouldn't it be great if we could get a young person reflective of the new spirit abroad in Derry-Donegal?

Who couldn't learn Irish this way?

2010-10-07T21:25:00.002+01:00

I noted in a presentation to our gathering in An Chutlúrlann — and isn't the 'hoarding' outside as marvellous an exposition of the history of the Irish language as you're ever likely to see — that Sabhal Mor Ostaig has 160 distance learners.

I'm sure we could emulate that from the Gaeltacht Quarter. But in the meantime, I have discovered in the pages of the Irish Echo what is surely the optimal way to learn Irish: on a cruise.

Irishtours are offering Irish Festival Cruises from Florida to Mexico with a stop at Grand Cayman with entertainment provided by some of our best musicians including Mary Black and Girsa. In the Irish Echo report, Tour operator Mary Rowley adds: "The January cruise would also be offering a variety of workshops on all things Irish, from learning to dance a jig to speak the Irish language, to instructions on the tin whistle and bodhrán."

What I want to know is who is the rascal who snared that teaching gig?

Enjoy the wonderful paintings by Danny Devenney, Marty Lyons et al. Note the Easter lilies growing amidst the poppies! And Gearóid Ó Cairealláin raising a glass to Béal Feirste.

(Mary Rowley of Irish Festival Cruises writes: "Hello Máirtín, Many thanks. You probably know the rascal in question, John Gleeson. This will be his 17th annual cruise with us. Folks adore him both onstage and off stage. All the best, Mary."

Fresh wind in our sails

2010-10-07T14:58:00.002+01:00

I'm delighted to hear that John Liu, Comptroller of New York City (effectively the chief financial officer) will be in Belfast — this is his first visit to Ireland — early next week and I'm privileged to have been asked to put together a small gathering to welcome him.

I hope to bring together a cross-peaceline small group which represents those who have invested in Belfast with their lives and their business acumen. All would be delighted to see the New York City Pension Funds invest in the developing areas of Belfast — in those neighbourhoods which have borne the brunt of the years of warfare — but they will also by their many diverse opinions and backgrounds emphasise that this is a good place to do business and to get a return (a view not always shared by the economists who advise equity funds).

I was also heartened last night by the most serious engagement to date between the statutory agencies, led by Invest NI, and promoters of the Gaeltacht Quarter project. While the fine detail of the discussion is private, it's fair to say that there's a meeting of minds on the type of regeneration project which would really hit the spot for the Gaeilge community and Invest NI.

And to further float your boat, here's a marvellous Belfast Media Group video by John Kelly focusing on the visit last week of top Boston politicians Eugene O'Flaherty, Charles Murphy, Marty Walsh and Sean O'Donovan.

Fr Mac puts pen to paper

2010-10-06T13:38:00.001+01:00

Fr Sean McManus, Fermanagh native and founder of the Irish National Caucus, will publish his memoirs early next year, and they should make for a fascinating read.

For almost four decades, he's been at the very heart of the US administration, influencing American policy on Ireland from his Capitol Hill office.

When we met in Washington DC on St Patrick's Day 2009 (I saw him again this year), I urged him to finish his long-awaited autobiography as this is one Fermanagh man whose story we have to hear. With Pat Doherty of the New York Comptroller's Office, he made the MacBride Principles on fair employment a reality, in the process launching a global boycott of Ford (that's Fr Mac, not Pat).

Latterly, he has helped Raymond McCord snr. bring his fight to justice to the Congress and Senate, casting fresh light on the legacy of collusion between state forces and paramilitaries. About three years back, he also delivered a memorable lecture on the similarities between the black civil rights movement and our own civil rights and justice struggle.

One of his great allies in his many battles for justice was Congressman Ben Gilman of New York (who has no family links to Ireland). Together, the pair were the scourge of those who permitted or defended discrimination in the North of Ireland. This is how Congressman Gilman sums up Fr McManus: “No one has done more than Father Mc Manus to keep the U.S. Congress on track regarding justice and peace in Ireland. Indeed, I believe historians will record that no one since John Devoy (1842-1928) has done more to organize American pressure for justice in Ireland”.

There will be launches of the new book in Dublin and Belfast next spring.

United in common mission

2010-10-05T15:10:00.000+01:00

How sad to see anti-peace process elements explode a bomb at Garvan O'Doherty's Da Vinci complex in Derry – and just days after our Boston delegation had received such a warm welcome there.

No doubt this is the pathetic response of those opposed to peace to the Clinton Visit, to the Derry City of Culture breakthrough and to the progress being made in the city courtesy of ILEX and others.

Sill, as Garvan stated after the bombing, dialogue must continue with those who are trying to blast us back into a horrific past even as they are made to understand that, as he said, the vast majority of us in the North are on "a mission" to promote peace, prosperity and a better future. He added: "The vast majority are focused on the partnership approach to peace. This will not detract those of us who want a stable society."

We don't want our young people to be directed down a cul-de-sac which can lead only to misery for them and their families.

Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty texts me to say he has already spoken to Garvan earlier today to give him the best wishes of his Boston visit and to commend him on his resolve. Fortunately, no-one was injured in the bomb and while the attack is a setback to the city, bricks and mortar can be replaced and confidence rebuilt.

Cuairt na bPoncánach ar an Cheathru Ghaeltachta

2010-10-04T17:07:00.000+01:00

Excellent report by Forbairt Feirste on the visit of the Boston delegation to the Gaeltacht Quarter.

From the Bruins' side

2010-10-04T16:19:00.000+01:00

40 years of history in one hour was how the Bruins stars saw Belfast according to this Boston Herald blog from our city.

And an interesting piece on how the Bruins almost blew it against a team of "nobodies".

Sixth Belfast Top 50 Awards (short version)

2010-10-04T15:29:00.000+01:00

Too long? Here's a shorter version of the same event.

Sixth Belfast Top 50 Awards 2010

2010-10-04T15:28:00.000+01:00

Self-praise is no recommendation but if you can ignore the first few words, you will enjoy the rest of this video by John Kelly from the Belfast Business Top 50 at Stormont on Friday.

Now for the next act...

2010-10-03T22:08:00.002+01:00

I had dinner tonight with Dr Frank Talty Director of Irish Partnerships and Dana Skinner of University of Massachusetts Lowell who have big plans for an exciting 2011 follow-up to the Bruins game this weekend. Frank is behind an incredible link-up between Queen's and UMass Lowell to excavate a settlement in Fermanagh, from whence a community emigrated, and the shantytown in Lowell where they settled.

They tell me their Chancellor Marty Meehan, a great friend of Ireland, tells them to "think big" so expect something memorable from them.

All of which reminded me of the Daniel Burnham quote which deserves repeating on every opportunity we get.

Make no little plans
Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1846-1912)

Stung into action

2010-10-03T14:52:00.001+01:00

Amazing thing about sport, it takes a lifetime to enter the fabric of your culture. What that means, is you understand the rules, know the players, appreciate the heritage, thrill at the successes and feel down when failure comes knocking.

Ice hockey being a minority sport, it was amazing that 6,000 people turned out to admire the Boston Bruins — one of the Big Six who started the NHL in the twenties — at the Odyssey Arena last night. It's an American style event with some great Irish music throw in though I'm sure we can come up with a more raucous hometown theme song than 'I'll Tell My Ma...'. For 38 minutes, the Belfast Giants held the fort but once they scored, the Giants were stung into action — scoring five without reply before the game wrapped up. The delight — and relief — apparent in the Bruins actions after each score shows that it was important to them to win this friendly encounter.

I'm told our Boston business and political friends enjoyed the night, and the result. Final pic from their week, Jennifer McCann, Sinn Féin MLA, presenting Rep Eugene O'Flaherty with the Irish Museum of Modern Art book on the new Brian O'Doherty/Barbara Novak exhibition at Kilmainham, after our evening at the Cultúrlann on Thursday.

Marathon update: 14.2 miles yesterday at 8' 20" but today ended up running with guys who had done 22 yesterday and apparently want to win the Dublin marathon when I'll be happy just finishing New York. After 3.5 miles, they broke me on the hills leading up to the Giants Ring and I limped home, passing the 10-mile mark some time after they had showered, read the papers, enjoyed a coffee, and gone home. Still that's 24 miles in two days in the tank and I did get Garvan O'Doherty to chip in another few quid towards our target when in Derry!

Meeting ourselves coming back

2010-10-02T17:50:00.001+01:00

There was something decidedly Kafkaesque about the Justice Department at Stormont where I dropped off our Massachusetts delegation yesterday to meet with Minister David Ford. In the morning, the lights went off as part of a fire drill but apparently no one could find a way to bring them back again. In a particularly nice touch, Basil McCrea MLA brought the Boston delegation out to the balcony at Stormont before bringing them onto the Chamber floor to speak about the workings of the body.

Rep Charles Murphy suggested this was a novel way to make the budget balance which he would be bringing back to Boston!

Then last night, we had twin highlights at the civic reception in the Dome of Delight to welcome the Bruins to Belfast: Minister Arlene Foster recounting the (undoubtedly apocryphal) of how Ireland beat the West Indies at cricket in Sion Mills recently because the guests had enjoyed too much of the famous local hospitality the night before the match; and Boston Bruins coach and legend Cam Nealy presenting the minister with a Bruins jersey with FOSTER printed on the back. "You'll be wearing that tomorrow night," he joked.

This morning, Boston representatives Eugene O'Flaherty, Marty Walsh and Charlie Murphy along with Alderman Sean O'Donovan and John Donovan were in Letterkenny to meet county leaders before they traveled to the Ebrington site in Derry — the former navy and British Army site where Martin McGuinness was interrogated more than once — to see how a symbol of violence is being turned into a magnificent symbol of peace and culture. They then were hosted to a smashing lunch at Da Vinci's Hotel by entrepreneur Garvan O'Doherty before heading to the Free Derry Wall for some pics and then back on the M2 for tonight's big game. (You're right at this pace, we'll meet ourselves coming back one of these days.)

The good news for the Bruins: the Giants are going to go easy on them since they are understandably jet-lagged. Na Fathaigh Abú.

Pictured; That's Garvan O'Doherty in the middle. And Basil giving our guests the lowdown in the Assembly chamber.

Up and running and welcome to the French Quarters

2010-10-02T06:45:00.001+01:00

More details and a video to follow of the Top 50 but we're up online already thanks to young Chris Graham of our internet team who stayed on late here in Belfast to get out the good news.

I'm also looking forward to sharing with you my top New York picks. After three years in the Big Apple, I'm a fair judge of the best hotels, finest eating palaces and most welcoming drink emporiums. But the hotel which stands out for me is on Restaurant Row in the Theatre District of New York. I was delighted to meet last week with Colin McCormack, the industrious and welcoming manager.

Founded by Pete Fitzgerald, one of New York's most successful Irish entrepreneurs in the hospitality business, it has a great New Orleans theme, boasts a unique balcony patio in its restaurant and top-class rooms. I'll be telling you more about French Quarters in the time ahead.

They shall not pass

2010-10-01T16:10:00.002+01:00

The Top 50 Belfast Business celebration in Stormont today was a stunning success, thanks to our speakers Minister Alex Attwood, Rep. Gene O'Flaherty, Alstair Hamilton, CEO of Invest NI and Robbie Fitzpatrick who heads up the Odyssey Trust which brought Belfast the Bruins (Robbie is also one of our Top 50).

We had special recongition for six companies and their leaders who were showcased on the Top 50: Brad Waugh of Navinet (who flew in from Boston to join us), Greg Cash of Heartsine who flew in from Illinois to be with us, Brian McAreavey of Citi (which employs 1100 people in Belfast), Michael Collins of furniture store Collins' who was our family business of the year honoree, Wendy Langham of Connswater Park development (who won the internet poll) and Bubble which won the growth award.

And the good news is that I stood at the exit from the Stormont Long Gallery after the event and scooped up some contributions to our NYC marathon appeal for the Fund of Fr Brian Jordan's Holy Name Church on the upper West Side in New York which ministers to many hard-pressed families. £435 hoovered up from generous attendees including Basil McCrea MLA, Alex Attwood MLA, Terence Brannigan, restaurateur Eddie Fung, Fiona Morgan, Paul Gibson, Paul McErlean, Giants owner Jim Gillespie, Tony McKeown, Colm Bradley of Delta Print, Patrick Forrester of LBM, Daniel McRitchie and Vickie Gault, Tony McManus of NYSE, Seamie O'Neill, Kevin White, Bubble Ltd, Sarah agus Pól Deeds (go raibh maith agaibh), Lester Manley, D Donnelly, Stephen Magorrian of Botanic Inns, Dougie Adams, Alastair Hamilton, and K Rodgers. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

And what a great picture this is on the stairs at Stormont: with Connla Lawlor of the Belfast Media Group and Minister Alex Attwood are Reps Charles Murphy, Marty Walsh and Gene O'Flaherty.

Art threw in the puck

2010-10-01T09:57:00.000+01:00

Over the last 16 weeks or so, I've taken part in the ad-hoc organising comittee pulled together to ensure the Bruins v Giants game this week is a success — that means not only a great sporting occasion but an event which lifts the entire city.

It's struck me that one person missing from the mix is the guy who started the whole Boston-Belfast alliance: Art McCabe of Andover and Lawrence outside Boston.

15 years ago, Art arrived here, on his own tab, to build golden bridges of culture, art, business and friendship between Massachusetts and North Ireland. He followed up by inviting a cast of thousands to stage Binlids in New York (I suspect he's still paying off the debt from that one — the cast and supporters would have made the Red Sea scene in the Greatest Story Ever Told look like a family picnic). Later, he would welcome government ministers, including Gregory Campbell, to encourage them to make swift decisions on economic regeneration — little good that did, says you, but we can't blame Art for that.

He was the first American to identify the potential of St Mary's University College and sparked the ongoing relationship between Marty Meehan, Chancellor of UMass Lowell and Queen's University. He's not blind to the real difficulties of getting senior figures in government to move into what they too-often see as 'no go areas'.

Unfortunately, Art is too busy in his new post in the Economic Development Department of the City of Lawrence to join us for the match but he also introduced me to Rep Eugene O'Flaherty and we were able to toast his health in the Cultúrlann last night when a group of community leaders hosted a dinner for our visitors. Mar sin, 'Airt, fad saoil agus sláinte.

Pictured: Alderman Sean O'Donovan, Jake Mac Siacais of Forbairt Feirste, Geraldine McAteer of West Belfast Partnership Board, Rep. Gene O'Flaherty and Pilib Ó Rúanaí of the Short Strand and Iontoabhas na Gaelscolaíochta.

There was a lot of talk at the organising committee during our 8am breakfast meetings about who should be given the honour of throwing in the puck. Of course, it was Art who threw in the puck...many years ago.

Bruins are coming

2010-09-30T18:15:00.000+01:00

Bruins are coming and they sent this political delegation to Coláiste Feirste today to soften us up before Friday's encounter: Rep Gene O'Flaherty, Rep Marty Walsh, Rep Charles Murphy, Alderman Sean O'Donovan and John Donovan. That's Seán Mitchell, Chair of the Board of Governors telling them the Giants are coming from the high hills to get them!

Hawaiian memories

2010-09-29T10:42:00.000+01:00

Ernie Flynn, who lives 50 miles upstate from New York in Monroe, sends this evocative email in relation to our Hawaiian odyssey. I know the Hugh Lunney he speaks of in Manhattan, his marvellous bar (or the one I was in, there are two I believe) has a beautiful mosaic of Bobby Sands:

Good Morning Mairtin,
                                    Your recent story in Echo of Noel
Trainor made my heart skip-a-beat, but then I looked at his picture and knew
it wasn't possible.
                                      My story goes back to 1958 serving
my time in US Army at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. There were several of
us from Ireland stationed there and as you know "army life" we were
told when to go to bed, and when to get up, and everything in between.
                             But there was one Irishman in Hawaii that I
envied. He was a civilan, in his twenties, single and a Manager of a
hotel in Waikiki, and had the world by the -----. Don't remember his
name but often thought of him over the years. He would be in his late
70's now and then I read your story of Noel Trainor. So you understand the
missed heartbeat.
                                 Down through the years I've kept in
touch with two of those army buddies, and if you are a local guy to the
Big Apple you might even know one of them.
Hugh Lunney owner of " O'Lunney's Times Square Pub " on 45th St.
The three of us meet there every now and then.
Ernie Flynn.
                               Monroe, NY.
                                    ( Ex- Roscommon ).

Social entrepreneurs in the mix for Top 50 accolade

2010-09-28T10:41:00.002+01:00

(My nearest and dearest tells me she's heard of man-flu but man-sting is a new one on her! Probably because her advice was to apply vinegar on sting whereas I have found out this morning that's it the opposite: baking soda.)

To Stormont on Friday for the Belfast Business Top 50 as part of the run-in to the Bruins v Giants game in the Odyssey Arena on Saturday — the biggest sporting initiative linking the US and Belfast in our time.

We have an impressive line-up for the Top 50 at Stormont where visiting Boston politician Rep Gene O'Flaherty will be among the speakers. Among the honorees will be Citi, Andor, NaviNet (the company's global CEO Brad Waugh will be recognised), NYSE Technologies, HSBC and many more. But we're not forgetting the social entrepreneurs who are also building Belfast. And we've opened up to the public to decide which of four social entrepreneurs on the listing should receive our special Building a Better Belfast Award. You can vote for Pól Deeds of An Droichead, Anne McReynolds of the MAC, Nigel Kinnaird of Colin Neighbourhood Partnership or Wendy Langham of the wonderful Connswater Greenway in East Belfast. You can cast your vote here.

Pictured at the launch of the Top 50 Awards are Orlaith Adams of Belfast Media Group, Gerry McKernan of Clubstohire.com (a new business at Faro airport which serial entrepreneur and Top 50 honoree Gerry has just launched) and Julie Scates of Grafton.

I'm particularly pleased with this wonderful bilingual congratulatory notice for the Top 50 honorees which has been placed in the upcoming supplement by Belfast ex-pat Noel Trainor who has been spearheading the tourist business in Hawaii for three decades. You can see it above and download from last link.

Holy Moly, even the WASPS are trying to block our Irish American adventure

2010-09-27T23:01:00.001+01:00

I'm not the first Irish visitor to Amerikay to face opposition from the WASPS but the efforts to block our marathon outing for Fr Brian Jordan's friends in Holy Name parish in New York went into DEFCON-3 tonight when a suicide attacker struck.

The end-of-season wasp carried some punch too. I saw the bugger coming, ducking the midges and setting up its payload, but was too slow to move out of its way. It was right on the money: trigger finger on the left hand won't see any action at the PlanetFun rifle range this side of Christmas.

It's been a while since I was stung from a wasp and I had forgotten how painful it is. Child birth has nothing on this. That said, I finished my 6.5 mile outing and am on course for the New York marathon on 7 November.

And I will have company too: Des Lyons, New York attorney and pal of the Irish Echo, will be running to raise funds for a cancer charity in memory of his younger brother Conor who passed away in July. You can donate here. And Rich McLaughlin, a talented young Irish American digital radio internet genius who I met last week is also going to be in the running for the medals. I've just signed up Rich for the Echo; you'll be enjoying his take on the Irish rock/punk/Celtic music scene soon.

The good news is that while Fr Brian Jordan has tendonitis (worse than a wasp sting, believe me I've been there) and can't do the whole 26.2 miles, he will join me for the last seven. Please God, he'll bring a stretcher. Full donation details tomorrow.

You can read more about the wonderful work of the Holy Name parish on their website where I grabbed this image.

Top-class features

2010-09-27T12:22:00.000+01:00

Two hard-hitting op-eds awaited me on my return from the US, the first from Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice on the failure of the Billy Wright enquiry to quiz his paymasters and the other by Danny Morrison on monopolies.

Marathon friar's parish to benefit from our snail's-pace marathon outing

2010-09-26T17:47:00.004+01:00

As with all good sob stories, this one starts with things going well. Two Saturdays ago, I didn't let myself down as I completed a furious 8.5 miler with two guys who have more running medals than an entire Legion of Mary chapter has miraculous ones.

Then, of course, my systems went into meltdown and I spent the next three days in bed battling a cold (that's a day off for every 3 miles or thereabouts, I'll need a month off after I do the New York marathon).

The sickbed upset my schedule for New York on 7 November as I had completed a 13.1 mile run the previous week (exactly half the marathon distance). In New York last week, I managed only three six milers so today was the test. Jet-lagged, thirsty, old (the last's the only one I can do nothing about) and under pressure, I again took off with two men who are fleet of foot, through Lady Dixon Park, along the two path, up to the Giant's Ring, down to the towpath again, around the island, past the Lockkeeper's Cottage looking for you-know-who and back to base. For all of nine miles, I kept up with the maniacs but then blew up and finished the last section at a leisurely pace. No doubt it will all stand me in good stead but there's only 39 days left so I better get cracking.

I'm going to run the NY marathon for Franciscan Fr Brian Jordan— the marathon-running padre in monk's clothing — whose St Francis of Assisi parish helps the Big Apple's legions of homeless on 31st Avenue. I've set a fundraising taraget of $2,000 (not exactly Bill Gates, and a lot less than others who run for a named charity like Co-Operation Ireland must raise, but it'll contribute) and have put in the first $1,000 so once he gets his paypal account in shape, we'll see if we can gather a few dollars from the From The Balcony audience. I saw the food line last Thursday morning outside St Francis of Assisi's as I set off from my hotel for a 7am run along the Hudson, all sorts, all colors, all in need. You can read more about the parish and Fr Brian, who has clocked up 60 marathons, here.

Fr Brian is also involved with the Holy Name Church up on 97th Street, so we'll let him pick the best recipient of our few bob...and of course his ministry is to the trade unions, construction workers, undocumented and immigrants so he has plenty of choice. In fact, I've just been given the thumbs up for the Holy Name Church so let's get ourselves into shape — it's off the beaten track and will appreciate our modest donation.

Picture courtesy of the New York Daily News which has this intriguing article about Fr Jordan and, yes, if I run New York, he most definitely run Belfast next May!

New ideas to strengthen back-to-work programmes

2010-09-25T20:34:00.000+01:00

Rob Walsh added a few words to his comments yesterday in an email to the Commisioner of Small Business Services' listing.

"More than six years ago, the Mayor took a bold step in consolidating the Department of Small Business Services and the Department of Employment. Since 2004, we have grown our Workforce 1 Career Centers and now have placed New Yorkers in more than 125,000 jobs.

"We are constantly looking for new ideas to strengthen our workforce programs here in New York City. Last year, our Workforce Investment Board staff worked with the NYC Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol to bring together leaders from 27 international cities to discuss job creation and workforce development.

"Since that time, we have played host to a number of cities and have had numerous exchanges with cities around the globe. Today, we had a special visit and dynamic exchange with Sir Reg Empey, Northern Ireland’s Minister for Employment and Learning. He was joined by Rory Muldrew, his Chief of Staff and Lorraine Turner of Northern Ireland Bureau. They also toured our Manufacturing Sector Center and Workforce 1 Career Center in Brooklyn.

"Assistant Commissioner Tracie Abbott, Jessica McMahon, and Alexis Margolin of SBS did an outstanding job in presenting our programs and new initiatives (Special thanks to Megan Burke and Kathleen Casanova for all of their work in coordinating this exchange). In addition, we were joined by staff from Dale Grant + Associates, the Brooklyn Chamber, and Goodwill Industries.

"During our discussion, the Minister told us that they have Career Centers similar to our Workforce1 Career Centers. He mentioned that in their waiting rooms they have stand alone kiosks that helps streamline the operations and provides a list of available vacant jobs. We need to put greater thought into this but I can envision us doing something a bit different -- having kiosks loaded with information on procedures for using the center, schedules for orientation and training, various benefits and other information. We also need to take a much closer look at the work Northern Ireland is doing with community colleges and a program that is similar to our Scholars to Work initiative.

"I would urge you to take a look at Northern Ireland Department of Education and Learning website when you have a chance www.delni.gov.uk. My hope is that the Minister and his team gained as much as we did during our time together.

"Finally, especially during tough times, our work becomes so much more important. Here at SBS, we have shown a remarkable capability to look to the outside, change and improve. It is days like today, when I realize just how far we have come with new systems, new approaches and a new positive outlook at SBS. I’m confident that the momentum we have generated will continue. I am deeply appreciative for the support and dedication you have shown as we have continued pursue new ideas to better serve more New Yorkers."

Culture night missed again

2010-09-25T15:36:00.001+01:00

For the last two years, I've hit the bar at Culture Night, arriving home from the US the morning after the night before.

But I'm told it was a huge success both in the Cathedral Quarter and the Gaelacht Quarter where they put on a special Speakers Corner. And there was a Speakers Corner of sorts down in the Cathedral Quarter where Paul McErlean of MCE PR had put on a discussion on the Irish language where each advocate had just four minutes to put his/her case for An Ghaeilge.

I'm told Ciarán Mackel of ARD Architects had the biggest cheer of the night for his comments on "misogynistic camaraderie".

Meanwhile, I witnessed a first in New York yesterday: a fight on the subway. Fists were thrown as the sweltering heat in the subway platforms caused tempers to flare. And good for New Yorkers, passengers separated the pair — a Hispanic gentleman and, in the red corner, a Japanese gentleman — who were getting it on after one pushed the other aside to enter the carriage.

And finally, I see Ireland is making headlines in the Wall Street Journal (which I bought to check on how Murdoch's battle with the New York Times is shaping up — he has introduced a New York section but it's pale imitation at this stage): 'Ireland's Bonds Plunge as Economy Contracts Nearly 5%' was the headline. Welcome to the double dip recession.

These New Yorkers really do have their s**t together

2010-09-25T15:10:00.004+01:00

To the Newtown Creek Waste Water facility in Brooklyn on Thursday morning at the invitation of Farrell Sklerov from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (their water service, among other things) and Eric Klee, who heads up the mammoth facility which treatst the waste water from amost two million people daily.

Central to the plant, which is undergoing a $5 billion overhaul, are the mammoth 'digester eggs' where they treat 'sludge' (I'm trying to be as polite as possible) from the sewage inflow. In NI Water sewage treatment plants, they use different methods to let the 'good bacteria' clean up the waste water so that it can be, after cleaning, released back into our rivers and loughs though I don't believe this 'digester egg' technology — right out of a sci-fi movie — is used anywhere in Ireland.

It's a big landmark in Greenpoint, a strongly Polish area of Brooklyn, and lights up beautifully at night. Eric Klee, the very helpful and welcoming head of the plant, took us to the top of the eggs to enjoy one of the best views of Manhattan you're likely to get and to marvel at the new technology.

You can see that view (badly in this Blackberry picture), along with myself and Farrell Sklerov (you can see the 'eggs' behind us) and in the final pic, Eric and Farrell in a tiled corridor in the older part of the plant. Recognise it? This corridor is the scene for a shootout in the new Angelie Jolie movie Salt. Interestingly, in this desolate area of Brooklyn, there few residential buildings but they do have two major movie studios and locations — not unlike our own Paint Hall.

New York, of course, is famed for the quality of its tap water (it's one of only five US cities where you can drink the water unfiltered) and that's courtesy of plants like Newtown Creek which have been improving the quality of treated water which goes back into the East River of New York. Interestingly, water usage has been falling dramatically in New York over the past decade. Why? Because charging and metering was introduced. No one wants to leave the shower running if they are paying.

Want more detail? You got it: The digesters process up to 1.5 million gallons of sludge everyday. Each egg, clad with low reflectivity stainless steel, is 145 feet high and 80 feet in diameter. The eight eggs were welded on site from pieces that were brought from Texas and fabricated by Chicago Bridge and Iron. It took three months to assemble each one. Although the weight for each egg is around 2 million pounds when empty; it is calculated that they may weigh up to 32 million pounds when processing sludge. The blue lights illuminating the eggs were designed by artist Hervé Descottes of L'Observatoire International, an American/French company. Hervé Descottes is known for lighting projects ranging from the diverse architecture of Steven Holl and Frank Gehry, to New York projects such as Lincoln Center, the Highline, and Columbus Circle.

And this being New York, I'm told locals call the 'eggs', "the Shit Tits". My source for that is the poopreport.com (a site complete with ads for bidets). What can I say? It's New York.

Sir Reg in Big Apple fact-finding mission

2010-09-24T22:35:00.000+01:00

Sir Reg Empey made full use of his visit to the Big Apple to check out the innovative approach to job-creation and training in the city, courtesy of Commissioner of Small Business Services Rob Walsh, who visitors to this blog will remember spoke at the New York-New Belfast conference.

New York wisely combined small business affairs with job-seeking, and the workforce centres acros the city have proven to be the Commissioner's biggest achievement. And there's no doubt but that these centres are needed as joblessless now runs at 10 per cent in New York — doubling in some disadvantaged pockets.

The pair are pictured above.

"Today, we had a terrific exchange with Sir Reg Empey, Rory Muldrew (Chief of Staff) and Lorraine Turner of the NI Bureau," Rob told me earlier. "They toured two of our Workforce Centers and gave me some great ideas that work in Belfast that I am ready to "adopt" as my own.

Here's hoping this engagement will encourage Belfast to reciprocate Commisioner Walsh's generosity and bring him to Béal Feirste (again) to discuss the building blocks for economic regeneration which his department has pioneered.

In the late afternoon, I also called into the magnificent Experience Northern Ireland Titanic and More exhibition in Grand Central Station which has been put together by Marie Fullington of Tourism Ireland (who retired earlier this month, more's the loss to Ireland's tourism push). It was a high-energy event in the splendid Vanderbilt Hall which was attracting a lot of interest from ordinary New Yorkers. Good for Marie — not a bad swansong!

Tale of two city visitors

2010-09-24T03:51:00.000+01:00

They say New York has it all and that's certainly true these days as we have both Minister for the Irish Language Nelson McCausland and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams in town.

Mr Adams is here to take part in the Clinton Global Conference in the Sheraton Hotel in New York. I was across the road from the Sheraton in Rosie O'Grady's this evening and the conference has the entire city buzzing. Tomorrow Mr Adams heads over to New Jersey for a ticket-only address at the prestigious Princeton University. The organisers tell me they can't keep up with demand for tickets. There is a detailed promo for the event on the Princeton site, this being part of their discussions on 'Intractable Conflicts'. The good news for those who can't snag a ticket is that the event is being "simulcast in Bowls 001, 002 and 016 on the lower level of Robertson Hall"

On Monday night then, Mr McCausland will speak at the beautiful Glucksman Ireland House at NYU about the Scotch-Irish. That should be fun. The room holds 30. There are eight million people in New York. The organisers are hopeful that they'll hit double figures.

Glucksman, where the eminence grise of Ireland's historians Joe Lee holds court has a nice bilingual home page. Perhaps it might inspire the Minister to follow suit.

Suicide notes from unionism

2010-09-23T00:03:00.000+01:00

Sir Reg Empey has gone as far away from the train wreck that is Ulster Unionism as he could this week, joining me here in New York as hundreds of his fellow-party members submitted their suicide notes by voting for Fermanagh farmer Tom Elliott as their new leader.

It's a long way from Ulster Unionist dominance of six county politics when I was growing up to the ignominious descent of the party into irrelevance.

One wonders how true it was to portray the battle between Tom Elliott and Basil McCrea as old-school versus new wave but one thing's for sure Basil damaged his case by saying he would treat his fellow citizens fairly and equally. Even in 2010 that put the fear of God in some Ulster Unionists.

City of Culture video

2010-09-21T03:47:00.001+01:00

This is the official video which we hope to give an outing to in Boston on 3 November with Seamus Heaney leading the charge for Derry.

Bridge over troubled waters

2010-09-21T03:42:00.001+01:00

In Áras na hÉireann/Ireland House, home of the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue in New York this morning to present my diplomatic credentials as Irish Echo publisher to the new Consul General Noel Kilkenny where I learn that his roots are in Clare and not in that other hurling county of great repute. Turns out Kilkenny is an Anglisation of Mac Giolla Chainnigh which is, of course, a great Ulster name.

We had many things to discuss, not least my contention that as Ireland flounders we need Irish American more and more. Readers of the blog will be familiar with the Thomas Cahill book How the Irish Save Civilization. Today, it's all about Irish American saved Ireland. Don't believe me: just look at the number of Irish politicians from North and South in the US this week.

We also put in place the final arrangements for the Irish Law and Order 50, an event saluting 50 law enforcement leaders from across the US. That would have been a tough one to put together in Belfast when I was growing up: 50 Most Wanted perhaps but not 50 to be lauded. More nominations at the link above welcome.

Later, I was speaking with our friends in Boston who are coming over for the Bruins-Giants game. This time last year, we had a successful conference in Boston showcasing the progress in Northwest Ireland. I was delighted to report to our Boston friends, who will visit Derry during their trip for the game, that real progress, visible progress, is now being made. I'm told the bridge spanning the Foyle (pic below) and linking the unionist and nationalist parts of the city can be seen rising from the river. And there's the City of Culture Crown and a mega-event being planned by Field Day on 2 October, coincidentally the day the Boston State House representatives visit the city.

Progress comes dripping slow...too slow. Who said a project in North Ireland takes on average 18 months-two years longer than anywhere else in Europe. But for all that, when the momentum kicks in, progress becomes all but inevitable. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to highlight the steps forward at the fourth annual Golden Bridges luncheon in Boston on 3 November.

Cúirtíní don Dún sa Playwright

2010-09-19T21:08:00.000+01:00

Sa Playwright Theatre Pub ar 49ú Sráid ar maidin don chluiche cinniúnach idir Corcaigh agus An Dún. Cá huair a thosaigh sí ag imeacht ón Dún? Tús an dara leath b'fhéidir nuair a bhuail An Dún an cuaille gur phreab an liathróid amach.

Cibé scéal é, mhéadaigh muinín Chorcaigh agus bhí an bhua ag an fhoireann a b'fhearr. Taobh liom bhí beirt as an Iúr ar laethe saoire san Úll Mhór, buidéil beorach rompu agus geansaí An Dúin orthu. Seans go bhfuil siad ansin ar fad.

Idir amanna, tá mé ag obair ar thogra a bhaineann leis an chogadh san Afganistáin agus ag léamh oiread agus a thig liom fá chogadh san Iaráic agus san Afganistáin. Idir lámha anois, The Good Soldiers, scéal neamhthrócaireach complachta i mBaghdad. Leanann an t-iriseoir David Finkel, a bhí leabaithe le haonad 2-16, sula gcuirtear go dtí an Iaráic iad, faoi léigear sa tír agus nuair a sheoltar iad, briste, chuig otharlann i San Antonio. Is ar cheannaire an Chatláin Ralph Kauzlarich atá an leabhar dírithe agus tá an chuairt a thugann ar cheannaire ar thrúpa dá chuid atá san oispidéal gan cos, gan lámh, agus stumpa mar sciathán aige, ar phíosa chomh scáfaireach is a léifidh tú fán chogadh.

Ach seo an rud aisteach: ní hiad an mhuintir is boichte i Meiriceá atá ag fulaingt sa chogadh seo ach, go minic, fir óga a chuaigh isteach san Arm go deonach, a bhfuil oideachas orthu, atá tiománta ag grá tíre agus atá geal. Glúin úr, athrú suntasach i scéal Mheiriceá.

Tá ceangal idir an leabhar seo agus an leabhar fá Pat Tilman. Ba é Kauzarlich a dúirt le hiriseoir, agus é ag tagairt do chlann Tilman a bhí ag lorg na fírinne fána bhás, mhaígh sé gur easpa creidimh a bhí taobh thiar dá bpian: "When you die, I mean, there is supposedly a better life, right? Well, if you are an atheist and you don't believe in anything, if you die, what is there to go to? Nothing. You are worm dirt."

Go minic sa leabhar chumhachtach seo, déantar comparáid idir aistear Chathlán Kauzarlich agus Cath Ia Drang (a spreag an leabhar We Were Soldiers Once and Young) ach tá rud amháin in easnamh sa leabhar seo a bhí sa cheann eile fá Vietnam (agus as ar eascair scannán Mel Gibson): tuiscint ar an namhaid. Ní fheictear sa The Good Soldiers mothúcháin na nIaráiceach a bhí ag troid in éadan na Meiriceánach. Beidh sé tamall, gan amhras, sula scríobhann iriseoir Meiriceánach an ruball spéisiúil sin ar scéal na hIaráice.

Súil agam go mbeidh lá eile ag saighdiúirí maithe An Dúin.

Barcelona still a neck ahead....

2010-09-18T15:13:00.000+01:00

Our pal from Barcelona Antonio Hemosilla, who spoke at the Belfast City of Quarters conference in March insists that Belfast is not the world's greatest city despite my protests and the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. He suspects the absence of a world-class football team may weigh against us....though we do of course have a world-class football team in the city, even if it is only in that part of the city across the Lagan in Co Down.

But Barcelona has its problems too as this wonderful story from the Andersonstown News about West Belfast man Gerry Kerr who was mugged five times in FIVE days in Barcelona shows.

Meanwhile, I see that Gerry Adams has been lauding the Aisling Bursary recipients on his blog.

Time to get out and about and find out more about this 41st Annual African American Day Parade which starts up at Harlem at 1pm.

Breaking the law at Ireland House

2010-09-17T22:20:00.001+01:00

I was in Ireland House of New York University — NYU — last night for the latest launch of Peter Quinn's 'history and mystery' blockbuster The Man Who Never Returned.

It's about Judge Crater, a Protestant and Mason who took a taxi in midtown in 1931 and hasn't been seen since. "If he wasn't Irish, was a Protestant and a Mason, why do we care what happened to him?" asked one member of the audience. Fair point but of course the Irish, as was their wont back then and today, were up to their oxters in the Crater story.

Glucksman Ireland House at NYU is a spectacular building, in one of the city's most expensive neighbourhoods and facing Washington Square Park, where, Larry Kirwan of Black 47 tells me, artists mounted a huge victory arch and declared revolution. This was 1880, apparently, little has changed since. The park itself is beautiful and here's one to cheer those who fear we'll never reclaim Dunville Park from the hoodlums: at one point, the drug-dealers and users had made Washington Square Park a no-go area.

In a fulsome introduction, the representative of Ireland House noted that Peter Quinn's last opus, Looking for Jimmy, about Irish America, was a huge hit with students of NYU. "The one copy is always in demand and we are endlessly copying chapters for students," she said. Opening his reading, Peter Quinn spluttered in disgust: "Just one copy. And you're breaking the law by photocopying it. My attorney is present and I saw him take notes at that." He was only kidding, I think. Here he is signing copies. Fintan Dunne, the detective Peter created, rides again in the new novel. Read it.

I thought you might also like this picture I took of the side window at the International Center for Photography in New York. It's a photo by Stan Douglas and David Zwirner and shows a recreation of Hasting Park (races) on 16 July 1955.

Irish Law and Order

2010-09-15T17:57:00.000+01:00

A lot done, more to do as the man said. Next up is the Irish Law and Order celebration in the Irish Consulate, Ireland Houses, on Park Avenue, New York, on Wednesday 20 October (the day after the economic summit hosted by Declan Kelly in Washington DC).

This event brings out the cream of the Irish across the fields of law enforcement in 50 States and since that's one sector where the Irish are very well represented, we always bring together a very interesting bunch of high-achievers.

You can nominate someone for the listing on the Irish Echo site.

Off to university with a few shillings in the pocket

2010-09-15T09:42:00.001+01:00

Minister Alex Attwood with (from top) Geraldine McAteer, ceo of the West Belfast Partnership Board and myself, with Moviehouse recipients Vincent Gault from West Belfast who is studying at John Moore University, Liverpool, and Ann Vannan who is studying at Belfast Met, and with Geraldine McAteer and Gerry McConville, Chair of West Belfast Partnership Board.

Both Minister Attwood and Gerry Adams, in their comments, insisted they would resolutely oppose the planned cutbacks to government budgets. The Department of Social Development. Star turns of the night were Niall Press, mentioned in our last posting, and Amanda McAteer, an RE teacher who received a Clonard Monastery bursary in 2007, and who has returned to West Belfast to seek a permanent job teaching religious education — she's subbing at present.

It was also great to see Todd Allen in from New York to present the Eileen Howell Memorial Bursaries to Lorna Donnelly who is in the 3rd year of a community development degree at UU and Louise Devenney a former pupil of St Rose's who is studying Early Childhood Studies.

No going back

2010-09-14T17:32:00.000+01:00

My old pal Fr Brian Jordan snared me an entry to the New York marathon on 7 November, courtesy of his friendship with Jack Rubin whose family sponsors the annual event. Jack is a great booster for New York. Now I had better step up the training; I have 13.1 miles — a half-marathon under my belt on Saturday last and a very fast 8.4 miles on Saturday last with a former Belfast marathon winner. But since then it was to bed with man flu until sympathy ran out at home and I was ordered back to work.

And just in time as tonight, we celebrate one of our favourite nights of the year, the Aisling Bursary Presentations where Minister Alex Attwood and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams will speak. 41 bursaries will be handed out tonight, one going to 6' 8" former Corpus Christi pupil Niall Press who is getting a scholarship from solicitor Michael Flanigan. Niall, from the Whiterock, has a trained voice in the 4.2 octave range as you'll find out if you attend this evening's presentations in St Mary's University College because he is going to sing.

More than one way to skin a cat...

2010-09-13T16:16:00.002+01:00

How the Belfast Media Group editorialised on the rush to cut, cut, cut services...

Sa rása arís....

2010-09-12T18:02:00.001+01:00

Scottish 'midgets' make a comeback

2010-09-12T06:25:00.010+01:00

I have my tickets bought for Black Watch at the Belfast Festival at Queen's and hope I don't end up sitting beside someone who admires the back-street Borstal rejects and foul-mouthed bully-boys who made up the regiment back when they were kicking in doors in Andersonstown.

They called us Fenian bastards we called them poisoned dwarfs and morons. They were certainly half-right but we were one hundred per cent, even if politically incorrect (We were children so we had the right to be childish but it strikes me that they were but children too). They were also crap at house-raids and, even on the basis of any-six-of-us-can-beat-up-one-of-you basis failed to strike fear into anyone other than their colleagues when they engaged in gun-fights with each other across Ramoan Gardens; one unit of isolated squaddies throwing mattresses up against the windows in Montgomery's house at the corner of Kenard and opening up on their buddies holed up in La Salle school.

There was also a period back there when they were lambs to the slaughter in Andersonstown. One day, a soldier smaller than your teenage self would stop you and frisk you down; next day he'd stroll absent-mindedly into the gaps between the old and new houses and be cut down. Needless to say, the caps with the frilly black ribbons didn't make it past the first few weeks of deployment as the helmets came out.

All of which I remember with a deep sadness. But some people remember it differently. To cheer you up on this rainy Sabbath (I'm writing this on Saturday but for sure it'll be raining somewhere on Sunday), here's the official website introduction of the 'much-loved' regiment which was decommissioned in 2006.

Mention 'The Black Watch' almost anywhere you go across the globe and you'll almost certainly elicit fond recognition because The Black Watch is surely one of the British Army's, if not the world's, most famous fighting units. Mere mention of the name is enough to conjure up visions of bravery, valour, true Scottish grit and determination.

I believe Black Watch, the play, is more Iraq than Ardoyne but for all that it should make compelling theatre and I'm looking forward to it (though if any of the actors are over 5' 5" it will lose all authenticity for me!).

However, I suspect I'll find a festival project which involves the former RUC barracks at Queen Street even more. A group of artists and writers have been let loose in the building which was once headquarters of the Gaelic League in the city to do their worst..or best. Their collective musings will go on exhibition as Station Project when the project comes to an end.

Oh, and I see today a Scottish paper has had a pop at the play's 'blindspot': the regiment's notorious reputation in North Ireland. Wonder how they deal with what Nugi Wa Thiong'o refers to as Britain's "genocidal war" in Kenya (they were there) and which the genteel British refer to as the 'emergency'.

And my old pal Arder emails me his thoughts: "MUSING ON YOUR LASTEST BLOG , IT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD , AS YOU KNOW , I COME FROM THE OLD POUND LONEY DISTRICT POUND ST TO BE EXACT THAT METAMORPHOSED IN THE FIRST CITY CENTER (NOTE USING AMERICA SPELLING FOR CENTRE ) CONDOMINUIMS IN BELFAST CITY …THE BLACK WATCH CONJURES UP MANY PAST MEMORIES OF TINY SQUADDIES WRESTLING WITH ME AND MY MATES IN THE BACK STAIRS (THE LINKS) ON MANY MANY WEEKENDS COMING HOME AFTER CLONARD DISCO , WE WERE ALL ABOUT 15 / 16 AT THE TIME , SO YOUR BLOG GAVE ME A WARM NOSTALGIC GLOW OF DAYS 35 YEARS AGO AND COUNTING , HUMOUROUS NOW , NOT MUCH FUN THEN WHEN IT WAS THREE TO ONE ,,,, MIND YOU IT TOOK THREE OF THEM TO GET A DRAW AT THE TIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT CRAIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Tuning into Ardnaglas

2010-09-11T20:00:00.000+01:00

I'm on a theatrical roll now. This Saturday I hope to catch Ardnaglass on the Air, a comedy set in rural Co Down, and directed by Geraldine Hughes, in New York.

Written by Jimmy Kerr (pictured centre), who also stars, it is a Spike Milligan-esque comedy about the shenanigans which ensue when a BBC reporter rolls into downtown Ardnaglass.

I am promised a night of big-bellied laughs and banter. Sounds like leg-breaking stuff.

An Irish American hero

2010-09-11T16:01:00.001+01:00

Picture from Columbia Review of Journalism: John Conroy in his native Chicago.

One of the best books I've ever read about the 30-year war is John Conroy's 'Belfast Diary: War As A Way of Life'; his wry take on his time as a lodger on the Falls during the hunger strikes of '81. There's one tremendous chapter on how his digs keep getting taken over by IRA volunteers involved in a series of aborted attacks on the Brits. I had occasion to tell some of those involved later that they had made it into print! It's up there with the really great non-fiction books on the war, such as The Craic: A Belfast Year by the late Sally Belfrage and last year I was delighted when some friends from Chicago told me they had also read Conroy's offering.

Other than that, I didn't see his name pop up again. Until now.

For in the latest edition of the Columbia Review of Journalism, I come across a major feature on Conroy and his giant-slaying exploits in the City of Broad Shoulders where his fearless reporting led to the freeing of 160 men — all black — on death row and the decommissioning of a notorious band of police torturers. Turns out, Conroy, who lost his job with the Chicago alternative weekly, the Reader, in 2007 as part of the lay-offs sweeping the world of newspapers (in the last decade, newsroom staff in the US fell from 60,000 to 40,000), had led the lonely charge against a band of cut-throats in blue who used every torture method which ever had an outing in Castlereagh...and then some.

Plastic bags over the head (a Spanish favourite), electric shocks to genitals, ears and nose, Russian roulette, burning with cigarettes were the big hits with the police in Chicago's 'House of Screams'. They didn't rise to the British Army favourite of bringing internees up in helicopters and then tossing them out when they've told the terrified prisoner they've over Belfast Lough. The helicopter, of course, has never gone more than three feet of the ground. But they certainly worked their way through the torturer's toolbag.

When John Conroy, who had been re-employed by The Reader after he returned from Belfast, took on this thorny topic in 1990, no-one weighed in behind him. But there were reverberations in the police department before the real earthquake hit with his major follow-up article in 1996, 'Town Without Pity, Police Torture: The courts know about it, the media know about it, and chances are you know about it. So why aren't we doing anything about it?' After that, a media storm coupled with legal actions by Illinois inmates brought a stop to the torture, the quiet removal of many of the culprits and, latterly, charges against the alleged leader of the torture ring, Jon Burge (Burge was convicted of perjury last month, as you can read on Conroy's blog).

Unemployed and surviving on freelance assignments, Conroy (now 57), who met his wife Colette Davison in Belfast during his diary year, has been given a blogging assignment on the trial of Burge by a Chicago radio station. He also wrote a journalistic tour-de-force on getting mugged in Chicago in 2008. (A really, outstanding piece of journalism from Chicago magazine on teen violence, perhaps the most burning issue in Belfast today; perhaps we should invite him back to do another diary on our feral children. Picture, post mugging above.) "Nothing I have ever written has provoked such an outpouring of commentary, and although there's a certain gratification in the volume, there's also a definite sadness," says Conroy. "I wrote about the likelihood of men being executed for crimes they might not have committed for years — a far more important topic — without hearing much of anything at all."

In court recently, he received thanks from Jonathan Jackson, son of the Rev Jesse, who has been an advocate for 'Burge's victims, who said the Irish American's writings got him engaged in the issue. The Irish Echo hosts the Black and the Green Awards each year for Irish Americans who have made a major contribution to the African American community. It would be hard to find a more righteous recipient than John Conroy whose pen has proven a powerful tool against torture.

Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life is available here. A second book he wrote about torture in North Ireland, Israel and Chicago is also available on amazon in the US though I don't know why I haven't previously come across Unspeakable Acts, Ordinary People.

You can see his torture archive from The Reader online. So now, let's see can I find his email and shoot him off a note.

Postcard from Paradise

2010-09-10T18:04:00.000+01:00

The Irish Echo carried my interview with Noel Trainor this week, the Belfast ex-pat who has made his name in the hospitality business in Hawaii.

Fear gorm

2010-09-10T14:15:00.001+01:00

At the end of Blade Runner, Rutger Haeur makes a moving Tears in Rain speech about having been places you can only imagine and while I don't yet claim those dizzy heights, I have seen more wastewater and water treatment plants than you ever knew existed, including the Carrick facility overlooking Belfast Lough this week.

But in New York, I hope to meet up with the city chiefs who head up water services there to look at how they promote their corporate social responsibility agenda (basically, how do they be a good neighbour) and encourage education around water.

I caught the Blue Man Group in Boston once but see they've been recruited by the Big Apple for this video. Interesting approach.

'The Saudia Arabia of windpower'

2010-09-10T09:39:00.001+01:00

Professor Michael McElroy (pictured, below), a global authority on alternative energy from windpower and a lifetime achievement honoree at the Irish Echo 80th birthday bash in New York, reckons Ireland could be the Saudia Arabia of windpower.

Which means that our greatest resource are the very elements we grew up cursing while students at the Donegal Irish colleges.

And yet, Ireland seems slow to move on this one, even though as the last stop on the gas and oil pipes crossing Europe, our supplies of fossil fuels are always going to be expensive and parlous.

There have been some attempts to 'tool up' Ireland to meet the windpower challenge, including in Co Clare where a €200m windfarms is planned (undoubtedly ugly but there's going to have to be some sort of compromise with our tourism proposition) on high ground. Though undoubtedly, the greatest velocity of windpower is in the seas along the coast where the construction challenges are huge but manageable. However, in a fortnight's time in New York, John J. Reilly (pictured, top), a prominent Irish American attorney with Squire Sanders Dempsey is hosting a conference on windpower in the Big Apple. (John J was also a patron of the New York-New Belfast conference.) As his website says: "Offshore wind farms have the potential to create thousands of manufacturing, construction and operations jobs for the region while helping to meet increasing electricity demand and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels."

I hope to attend. With Harland and Wolff now enjoying a renaissance as a manufacturer of windpower turbines, and the engineering expertise in Ulster, this could be the an area in which we lead Europe, creating thousands of jobs for those many different sectors of our working populace, including those elusive blue-collar jobs being shipped out to Asia!

Sláinte mhór

2010-09-09T08:54:00.000+01:00

Bhí pionta den leann dubh agam i mBaile Átha Cliath Dé Sathairn — an chéad cheann i mbliana — agus gan amhras is é nechtar na ndéithe é, fiú ar €4.95 (an luach a ghearrann an Clarence Hotel ar an deor dubh).