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
Sometime shortly after the Good Friday Agreement I was asked to say a few words about the distinctive contributions of John Hume and Seamus Mallon at the end of a local function. There seemed to be some tension between these… Continue Reading
By Peter Makem Over fifty years ago a statue was erected in Newry in honour of the Irish patriot John Mitchel (1815-1875) by some local politicians and leaders. A Newry GAA club around that time was named in his honor… Continue Reading
By Peter Makem It’s official. After 100 days of impasse and negotiation in the backdrop of Covid-19 virus a new and historic deal between Ireland’s two traditional bitter political rivals Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will see Micheál Martin of… Continue Reading
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
By Peter Makem Like the snowdrop teething on the gums of January, like the clock of May awakening the corncrake, the lupin open to July’s arrival, the oak sapling leafing its first June, like the green bud forming on the… Continue Reading
By Peter Makem In my lifetime, Ireland has never experienced such a hot blast of summer. Not so long ago in February last, we had the Beast from the East, an arrival of frozen wind direct from Siberia which lowered… Continue Reading
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
By Peter Makem Before the days of TV, we heard his roar over radio and put a face on him through the newspapers. Then he appeared on TV, it was if he was born roaring, that he could communicate in… Continue Reading
By Peter Makem The Brexit UK vote result was a surprise and there is considerable upheaval everywhere. It is the result of a civil war in England, a revolt against the indifference of government both in London and the EU… Continue Reading