Irish Dance Competition Investigation

By Peter Makem Irish dancing was very big back in my early days. But it is even bigger now. I remember half a century ago there were two schools of Irish dancing in Keady and they vied with each other… Continue Reading

Belfast Emerges As An Oscar Contender

By Nathan Lerner | Film Critic After a year-long hiatus from live screenings, the Philadelphia Film Festival returned with a hybrid platform which offered both virtual and in-person options. On opening night of the festival, returning cinephiles were treated to… Continue Reading

Casement Park — The Stadium That Refuses To Be Rebuilt

By Peter Makem Over twelve years ago a decision was made at Stormont to develop three new stadia for soccer, rugby and the GAA. It was revolutionary and a symbol of reaching out to the three major sports. Regarding soccer,… Continue Reading

The Four New Provinces of Ireland

Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland

By Peter Makem There is a new map of Ireland. The old four provinces have now been largely replaced in the South by a new tourism dynamic as an ever-conscious Fáilte Ireland (Ireland of the Welcomes) works to cater for… Continue Reading

Ireland is Suddenly a Lonely Island

BREXIT - Illustration by Stormistrations

By Peter Makem Ireland is suddenly a lonely place. Old securities have been shattered since the people of the United Kingdom — specifically the people of England — voted to leave the European Union, voted Brexit, an abbreviation of British… Continue Reading