Thomas 'Kidso' Reilly

August 9th 1983

I was playing with my mates in the shed at the back of my ma's house when I heard the news about my cousin Thomas. My wee brother Tony ran out to tell me. He said my ma wanted me to go up the street, and tell my aunt, that Thomas had been killed by the British Army.

Confused, stunned, and scared, I flew up the street as fast as my 12 year old legs could carry me. At first I did not know what to say but then the words came thick and fast. Thomas was dead. The Brits killed him. A whirlwind stirred up around Belfast that day, and brought with it fear, hatred, sorrow, bitterness, and grief. Riots spread throughout the night, with people displaying their feelings against this murder in a way that was reflective of the violence that ended Thomas' life.

In stark contrast an outpouring of support for Thomas and his family came from around the world, people paid tribute to a man who made a joyful presence felt wherever he went. Wreaths, flowers, and cards came from famous rock and pop bands whom Thomas had worked for as a road manager. The pop group Bananarama attended the funeral, which was followed by thousands of mourners.

In an unprecedented move, the British Army Private who murdered Thomas was arrested, charged with murder, and subsequently became the first British soldier to be convicted of murder; a charge that was welcomed by the family, but later devastated the family even further, when it was reported a few years later, that the soldier had been released and was back serving in the British army.

Even though Thomas's life was cut short, unlike that British soldier, Thomas will live on in the memories of the thousands of people, whose lives his joyful spirit touched and changed forever.

Thomas 'Kidso' Reilly RIP

South Belfast or South Park

DEY TOOK R DERS

St Pauli FC fans

I thought I would lighten the mood a little with a sing-song from our friends of the FC St Pauli Ultras. Enjoy...

UDA looking for backpay

The announcements of loyalist decommissioning this week by General John De Chastelain should be welcomed by all, even if it is a little bit late in coming. But then the announcement that the UDA wanted money in return for guns makes the extra wait a little more plausible. If I stay in work for a few extra hours per week, I get overtime pay. I guess the UDA leadership believe they are entitled to overtime for the work they have done over the years trying to expunge the world of people other than themselves. Maybe they think they are entitled to a refund for the guns, and maybe they would be better off going to South Africa for repayment, provided they have the receipts of course. I have never understood when the IRA began decommissioning their weapons in 2001, that the UDA were allowed to keep their guns for so long. Were they trying to find all the receipts? Or maybe they were keeping them in case a Romanian insurrection occurred in South Belfast? So what will the outcome be? Quis Separabit Armorum? Maybe they could go see what the scrap man will give them.

A favela é, um problema social

Collusion between armed drug gangs and so called security forces in Brazil, inspired a French artist to use photography to bring the attention of the world to the Rio de Janeiro favela or shanty town where the violence took place. Brazilian soldiers were arrested after the killings of 3 men by a rival drug gang. The men were detained by the soldiers and brought to a rival drug gang's shanty town where they were shot dead.The subsequent outcry from the people of the favela resounded with the artist who in response took photographs of their faces, and plastered the photos on the walls of the shanty town and places of interest in Rio de Janeiro.

Racial hatred in Belfast

Not satisfied with the beating and killing of their own countrymen, now the mob turn their ire upon people from half way across the world. Up to 100 Romanian people, about 20 families, were forced to flee their homes as racial hatred reared its ugly head in south Belfast. Police used a minibus to evacuate the people from their homes in fear of reprisals for an earlier anti-racism march that had taken place. The families are being cared for in a Church overnight.

The scenes, reminiscent of Nazi Germany, being played out in the Lisburn road area of Belfast, should be condemned and the people responsible brought to bear for hate crimes, and prosecuted under the full extent of the law. This makes me wonder which Triangle are these people going to have to wear?




Reference:
Christy Moore. Yellow Triangle. YouTube. Click on picture.

Picture of Romanian newspaper seller Belfast 2009
The Prehistory of the Crisis (II)
Susanne Bosch, Anthony Haughey, Daniel Jewesbury and Sinead McCann

Loyalist Mob Murder

'Disturbing' is how, UUP mayor of Coleraine David Donaldson Barbour, described the brutal beating and murder last night, by a loyalist mob, of father of three, Kevin McDaid. I get disturbed when I hear the phone ring whilst sleeping, not when I hear of such violence perpetrated by lynch mobs. The mob, not happy with the winning result of their football team, went out to score their own prize, and went home leaving tormented, frightened, and fatherless children in their wake. I wonder if the murderers who carried out this attack were like the mayor 'disturbed' by the memories of their victim as they slept last night. I doubt it. If the PSNI are as reformed as they say they are, then they should hunt down the 30 or so murderers involved in this act of terror, and bring justice to the family of Kevin McDaid.

Men of cloth failed us again

As Shakespeare would have it,"Truth will out". In my opinion, the truth was always there, and only needed a few brave souls to shine a light. For too long the 'revered' men in the Catholic Church have failed the people who profess their faith. The newly appointed leader of the Church in England said, that the report on the child abuse in Ireland by Christian Brothers and nuns from the Sisters of Mercy, "overshadowed' the good these institutions have done, and "It is a tough road to take, to face up to our own weaknesses" (BBC, 2009). Well, I'm sorry your Catholic guilt got in the way of owning up to years of abuse and torture of innocent children, and maybe we should 'forgive' these men and women, instead of turning them over to the proper authorities and jail where they belong.

The Irish are well known for their love and devotion to the mother Church, but what is less known is the mother Church's lack of compassion, and understanding for its followers. Throughout the Irish people's turbulent past, as the song goes, 'The men of cloth failed us again'. The Bishops blessed the Nazis on their way from Ireland to fight on the side of Franco in the Spanish Civil War; the Church turned their backs on the fight against oppression from the British by threatening excommunication of people during the famine, who would not pay rent to the British landlords; Proponents of civil unrest were threatened with excommunication in the Eighties by Bishop Daly, and more that are too numerous to rehash.

Brought up Catholic in Ireland I was well aware of the bigotry, and hatred perpetrated against Catholics in that part of the world, since the days of Cromwell and the Penal institutions that he promulgated.The children who were subjected to the horrors of evil men and women must have thought Cromwell's men had returned.

There were always rumours of the abuse, and people surely knew this type of thing was going on, but the fear of the Church was so instilled in the people, that the matter was swept under the carpet and backs were turned to save face. Now faced with the truth, what does the commission report to do? Build a memorial to the abused. And the new leader in England, what does he say? "Pray for those who suffered".
That'll help.

Watching me, watching you

Another Earth Day has come and gone, and we're still spinning. At least that's what I'm seeing on my television. The satellite TV company, DISH Network have a camera set up on their broadcast satellite, 22,000 miles away in space. It is a strange phenomenon being able to watch the Earth 'live' on a television screen. Its even stranger when the network play easy listening music, James Taylor and such, whilst the Earth is there spinning in all its glory. As I sit here watching Ireland disappear into the Eastern clouds, and Hawaii comes into view, Van Morrison belts out his ode to a 'Brown Eyed Girl', and the World keeps on turning, and tuning in.

Obama and Gerry

As President Obama makes his way across the Middle East, I am wondering if he'll bump into Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, along the way. Mr Adams is on a trip to Gaza, and has spoken with the Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya. Unlike many of his Western counterparts, Mr. Adams has been open to dialogue with the Hamas leader, and "said he was encouraged by the dialogue. "Mr Haniya told me that Hamas wants a peace agreement" (BBC, 2009).
Meanwhile in Turkey, President Obama addressed the Turkish Parliament, and commented "In a speech to the Turkish parliament in Ankara, he said: "The United States is not and will never be at war with Islam"(BBC, 2009). So, now on his way to Israel with a unnanounced visit to Iraq, will the President encourage Israel to open dialogue with Hamas, so as to further Obamas's commitment to find a solution to the conflict? Maybe if Obama talks to Gerry, and finds out what Hamas are willing to do, then a broker of some sort could maybe bring Israel to the table.

BBC.(2009).Adams meets Hamas PM in Gaza. Retrieved April 9, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7991311.stm

BBC.(2009).Obama extends hand to Muslims. Retrieved April 9, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7985945.stm

Síocháin sna t-am ár?

Casadh an tUachtarán Obama leis an tUachtarán Rúiseach Dmitry Medvedev agus d'aontaigh siad le laghdaigh armlann núicléach. Ar an taobh eile, géaraigh an Tuaisceart Chóiré a tabhair amach a bhagairt do an tIarthar,roimh tá sé lainseáil roicéad i bfhad réimse más amhlaidh an tIarthar atá idiragairt sna lainseáil. "A statement from the North's official Korean Central News Agency warns "if hostile forces make any slight move to intercept" the planned launch, the North's military will retaliate with force" (VOA, 2009).
An rachaimid amach de phlab nó an rachaimid síocháin sna t-am ár?

Wear an Easter Lily

I wrote this poem a long time ago, and thought what better forum to share than this. I dedicate the poem to those who have died in the struggle for Irish freedom, and to those who are struggling to keep peace a reality in Ireland.

An T-oilean a Gcuireann Muid Eireann Air (The Island we call Ireland)

The day you were born the heavens rang with cheer,
they lamented when you died.
All Hell broke loose
FAMINE RAGED!
WAR DESTROYED!
POVERTY REIGNED!
DEATH TOLLED ITS BELLS!
But through it all,
through the barricades and boundaries,
the hate,
the lies,
the torture,
the sadness,
the weeping,
the senselessness,
you saw the beauty in your people,
and know that when you rise again, this pain will end.
With this hope they struggle on till that
day when Freedom comes.

Martin Devlin

Police and Thieves

What is it that drives young men to attack the elderly? Over the last two months the papers seem to be filled with headlines detailing atrocious attacks on pensioners. The victim in the latest of these attacks was a 95 year old man from the Beechmount area. I knew the man personally, and was shocked and dismayed that a man who has worked all his life to make a living is attacked by five thugs, who probably never worked a day in their lives, for what amounts to 'carry out' money stolen from an old man.
Over the last few years the people of Beechmount and other areas have been under attack, not from a foreign enemy, but a domestic one. The people have had enough and stood up in protest against the so called 'hoods', but their voices seem to be lost in the other more pressing matters of Government such as waging war in Iraq, and paying off their buddies in the banking industry. Now, if thousands of people marching across the North calling for an end to the violence over the last few weeks, is what it takes for the government to listen, can the same not be applied to calling for peace in the streets, and an end to the violence perpetrated against the elderly of the nation?

Cá bhfuil na daonlathas?

During the Bush administration, the call for democracy in so called 'failed states', was a rallying excuse for the wars in the middle east, and elsewhere. So in 2006, the people of Palestine heeded the call, and went to the polling booths. The result of that democratic election was a victory for Hamas. Now, maybe I am biased in my belief that governments who have had an impact on my life so far, have elements of corruption, thievery, and trickery. But for a moment lets say I am wrong, and lets say GB actually won his Presidency, and democracy was working as it should, then why have Hamas been rejected outright by the Western Democracies, and their leaders arrested and imprisoned? I understand the frustration of the Israeli government over the kidnapping of one of their soldiers, but consider the frustation of the Palestinian people over the imprisonment of 11,000 of its people.

In the early 1980s the Irish people democratically elected political prisoner Bobby Sands to government, and the voice of the Irish people was heard around the world, Maybe in this time of change in America, the Palestinians voices could be heard, and Israel called upon to recognise the democratically elected officials, and cease its blockade of Gaza. If not then where is the democracy to be found? Cá bhfuil na daonlathas?

Hail, Hail, The Celts are here!

You'll Never Walk Alone!!

Bucky Bombs

I wonder if Frank Mitchell used this picture on his daily skit "Where in the North?", would you say Falls Road? Take a closer look at the improvised bombs these two fine wooly faced chaps are holding. There is one clue this is definitely not in the big smoke hey! And what gave it away is the, you guessed it, bottle of Bucky! Buckfast, the world famous 15%, red wine 'wreckahouse' tonic, made by monks at Buckfast Abbey in England, now availabe in molotov cocktail flavour, will be winging its way across the streets of Lurgan.I wonder if they drank the wine or just stuck a rag in the top. That stuff could stoke the fires of hell.

Not to be outdone by the tonic swigging rioters, even though assurances were given for no retaliation, Loyalists staged a cowardly attack on the Fountain Bar in North Belfast, throwing pipe bombs into the bar's beer garden. Luckily the pipe bombs did not explode, but in a separate attacks launched from the Tigers' Bay area, one of these devices did explode, and another two found by police in a follow up search of the area. No-one has been hurt so far, but if the attacks are allowed to escalate, we all know what the outcome may be.

Irish-American Month

In the days preceding the attacks in Ireland on the two soldiers, and the policeman, the President of the United States declared March 2009, Irish-American Heritage Month. Reflecting upon the suffering endured by the Irish people during an Gorta Mor, and the resilient nature of the Irish people to overcome hardship, President Obama declared, "NOW, THEREFORE, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2009 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities" (The White House, 2009).

Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson, once enemies, are now, together going to meet with the new President this week. Three men once separated by violence, and bigotry are meeting together to bring change to the country where their forefathers lived. Are their wishes, and the wishes of the thousands who marched in a rallying call for an end to the violence this week, going to be overshadowed by the hatred portrayed in the window from the past? Or will the changes in the past year in America influence the people of Ireland, like the events in the 1960s did when the marchers for freedom in America were mirrored by the Civil Rights Marchers in Ireland? Tá súil agam sin.

Cothrom an lae bás m'athair

My da always loved this song, and on his anniversary March 9th, anseo an Samradh o Tom Waits. Hope you enjoy!

Tom Waits - Summertime (1978)
Uploaded by revolution2

Celtic preab anios faoi chuimsiú!

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Flesh Gordon and the Attack of the Orangemen

Nior mise anseo ar feadh scathaimh ach mar gheall ar sin seo an sceal greannmhar!
Not to be outdone by the ever increasing popularity of the Irish language, Ulster-Scots enthusiasts have 'shot' back with the release of an t-Uladh na Albanach version of the 1970s cult soft-core porn Flash Gordon parody, "Flesh Gordon". My favorite part of this story is not the Flesh Gordon movie, though I did enjoy the movie (hmmmmmm), but rather the comments from Thatcher wannabe, UUP David McNarry. McNarry's use of the double-entendre,well makes 'fae a quare yarn'.
"Porn is porn, is porn, is porn - and whether it is done Ulster-Scots-style, well, it really doesn't come into it. This event has presumably been given funding and all this kind of thing does is make people look all the harder at an application the next time it comes round.said the UUP MLA.

Oooh Matron!

Hail, Hail!!

I'll make this quick: 7-0

Badgers, we don't need no stinkin' badgers!

At least thats what a lot of the people who were caught in a 'Badger Baiting' sting think. "The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said its [secret]blog proved crucial in uncovering the secrets of badger baiting"(BBC, 2009).In other words the USPCA has been badgering the baiters, and they took the bait. It goes to show how much of an eejit you would have to be, not only to set dogs on small animals, but also to post pictures of the event on a web-site. I will not add to the cruelty by posting a picture of the 'baiting'; instead I provided a picture link of the badges scene from Blazing Saddles, enjoy!

p.s. I see Sammy is trying to get his credibility back by jumping on the badger bandwagon.

Falls Park

Its been a long time since I was in the Falls Park.I remember going to the 'Cooler' and there was a burnt out car at the bottom of an empty pool. I remember playing football on one of the, I think, three pitches in the park. I remember traversing the river(sewer) that ran up the side of the park with my mates.

I remember people playing bowls in the fanciest part of the park: the green by the clubhouse. Its funny to think in the middle of all that was going on during my childhood,people were playing bowls on a perfectly cut,luscious green,bowling pavilion. Hmmmm! Reminds me of a WWII war movie, where Brits keep that stiff upper lip, as the Luftwaffe bombs are dropping all around. I remember good times in the Falls park.

Anyway this reminiscence was brought to you by Sean McLaughlin's photo published today on the BBC news site.

Some days are better than others

So I was elated yesterday with the Obama/Spiderman comic,and about to forget how cruel cartoonists can be, consider the english tabloid depictions of Irish people throughout the centuries, and then I saw this New York Post cartoon. Spiderman needs to swing by the post and show the cartoonist what happens to friends of superheroes.

With great power comes great responsibility

I was so disgusted by yesterday's blog entry, I thought we all needed a pick-me-up to show the world is not all bigots and union jacks. I picked up a copy of the latest edition of "The Amazing Spiderman" comic from Marvel comics. Comic number 583 is a special edition covering the inaugaration of the United States first black President, Barack Obama. I will not give away the plot, but I love the scene where Barack calls Spidey "Partner".

According to Marvel's Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada,President Obama is a comic book collector.
"When we heard that [President] Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics' Marvel Universe."
(Marvel, 2009)

Its refreshing to see a world leader with hobbies that extend beyond the usual activities of some leaders we have come to accept as the norm: Warmongering, invasion, thievery, torture, internment, summary injustice, kangaroo courts, shoot-to-kill, atom bombing; the list could go on forever, and include many different leaders from every corner of the world. But just for now we can delight in the partnership of your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman, and the United States President Barack Obama.

True Colors

Once again fans, of that other team in Scotland, have shown their true colors, by chanting the so-called 'Famine song', at the game against Celtic on Sunday.

"The song, which includes the line "The famine's over, why don't you go home," was heard during Sunday's 0-0 draw. It refers to events that killed an estimated one million people in the 1840s and led to a mass migration from Ireland and has drawn condemnation from the chairmen of both clubs, Sir David Murray of Rangers, and Celtic's Dr John Reid"(BBC, 2009).

In some countries, singing this type of song would lead to mass demonstrations, fatwas, and denouncements from governments about the 'Nazi-like' nature of these amadans. So are the SPL going to keep their word,fine the team, or deduct points?

Milk Snatcher

Whilst looking for some Christy Moore videos, I came across this interesting snippet of Christy speaking about the Anti-Christ. I think the sound bite speaks volumes about the reign of terror and the subsequent fallout of greed that has had ripple effects to this day. The current worldwide economic crisis, job losses, and growing divide between rich and poor has a lot of causes, many of which can be found rooted in the policies of the english Conservative Government of the 80's.

Hail, Hail.

Tomorrow Celtic take on their Glasgow rivals, and once more along with millions of other displaced Tims, I'll be up at 5AM to try catch the game. I hope the game will be available and Ii wont be stuck reading the scroll on the Sporting life site.

Pigeon droppings

Re-capping on the pipe-bomb story from Belfast, heres a picture of the bomb squad from the Irish News.


McCann, M.(2009). Pigeon and pipe bombs photograph. Retrieved online from the Irish News

Téigh i bhfeabhas scoileanna dátheangach

Chuaigh me do dti an Scoil Mhuire i mBeal Feirste, agus feiceann thu mo Gaelige briste. Ach dar liomsa is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste. Is mian liom go dti na bunscoil. Ceart go leor,sin e. I won't brutalise the language anymore in this bloganna. I will however point you to a story on the BBC that makes me sasta, and that is the nuachtann about Gaelige becoming a force to be reckoned in the Náisiúnna Saor Nua. I wonder if the language will take hold and grow to become once more Teanga don Daoine Eire, agus glactar leis an Sacs-Bhéarla mar theanga oifigiúil eile.(Brutal, I couldn't help mise)

Balls

What is it with englishmen and their love of handballs?
First it was the 'hand of God' Maradona incident (which we will never hear the end of), and now (considering England got beat by Spain)Ireland were awarded a 'bizzare penalty'(BBC,2009), over a handball. When are the english ever going to admit defeat graciously, and show the world that famous british gentlemanly demeanor, so often heard about in society circles? what what!

Somebody drop something?

Three suspected pipe bombs were found what I used to call,"round our way". My da used to goto the bookies in Dairy Street that ran off Shields Street, where the bombs were found. I used to walk up Shields Street to my local, "The Beehive", or as a kid bring "ali cans" to the scrap half-way up Shields Street. I remember lots of people used the street to leave Beechmount to get a taxi on the Falls Road via Shields Street, and probably a lot of people still do. Luckily none were hurt by the bombs left today.



Che mural: Shields Street. Photo by Gerry Ward. Retrieved February 10 2009 from http://flickr.com/photos/gerryward/919227319/

Wise Up, Sammy!

Fact: The Antarctic Ice Shelf is breaking up at a rate never before seen
Fact: CO2 emissions are causing the quickened build up of greenhouse gases
Fact: Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause the climate to heat up
Fact: The Earth's climate is heating up
Fact: Too much heat will melt your braincells and cause hallucinations
Fact: Sammy Wilson sunbathes naked

Sammy Wilson's sun-worshiping has finally gone to his head. The Environment minister believes CO2 is not responsible for heating up the atmosphere, despite scientific data to the contrary from leading scientists including the US EPA.

"If greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2 to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the end of this century. Scientists are certain that human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate. But they are not sure by how much it will change, at what rate it will change, or what the exact effects will be"(EPA, para. 5, 2009).

Wilson also believes that the DUP are solely responsible for change in the Political and Civil climate that is present in the North of Ireland, despite the facts the DUP opposed change at every turn down through the years. "Belfast says no" ring any bells, Sammy? Belfast says Snow seems more appropriate in this climate.



EPA. (2009). Basic information on climate change. Retrieved February 9, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html

Wilson, S. (2009). Sammy Wilson slams climate change deniers. Retrieved February 9, 2009 from http://sammywilson.org/press_releases/PR_06-02-09.html

Breithla Shona Bob

Happy Birthday!

Gorillas in the Snow

As snow fell over Belfast, the inmates at Belfast Zoo were busy completing work on a snow Gorilla. The West lowland gorilla 'Kukuma' is seen here putting the final touches to his snow sculpture, he likes to call, 'Joker'. Kukuma is known around the world as the Michaelangelo of the Gorilla world,for his innovative artwork. Another of Kukuma's pieces can be found here: Ice Monkey

Homecoming Scottish Cup

Scottish Champions, Glasgow Celtic, face Division 3 team Queens Park, in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, aka the Homecoming Scottish Cup. Celtic midfielders, Shaun Maloney, and Massimo Donati, are back in the first team after time out from injuries. Out on International leave is Shunsuke Nakamura, who is in Japan to rest up before his country's World Cup game against Australia, which will pit the midfielder against fellow Celt Scott McDonald. Todays game kicks off at 3pm GMT, 10 am EST, and 7 am PST.

Celtic (from): Boruc, Caldwell, McManus, Hinkel, Naylor, S Brown, Robson, McGeady, Samaras, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Loovens, Hartley, Crosas, Maloney, M Brown.

Queen's Park (from): Crawford, Sinclair, Ure, Brough, Douglas, Holms, Quinn, Cairney, Harkins, Nicholas, Ronald, Coakley, McGrady, Reilly, Boslem, Neill, Harty, Dunlop, McGrogan, Montgomerie, Waters, Watt, Dunn, Murray, Hepburn, Cowie, Agostini, Little, Henry.

Marú

Maru is an Irish language murder mystery drama. "Tony Devlin is the 'demonic stranger' who provides commentary on events unfolding behind him"(TnaG, 2009). The third season in the maru series kicked off 1/15/09 with an investigation into the murder mystery surrounding Jimmy Ennis.

The series is available for live or repeat viewing on the T na G site

http://www.tnag.ie/bearla/scei/beo.asp

Click on the link titled "Beo" and then look for Faisneis Cartlann, Maru is a mystery to find in itself.

Adh Mhor!

Siofra Supernova

Here's a photo of our cat Siofra going SuperNova!

The Acolytes

Thought I'd give a shout out to my oul mucker Seamy G's' latest band, The Acolytes. The band is comprised of Seamy Garland(vocals and keyboards); Steve Wright (lead guitar); Stephen Skinner(drums); and Maurice Kelly (bass).

The four member pop/rock band are making waves in the Belfast music scene producing beats reminiscent of New Order, overlapped with Nine Inch Nails style guitar licks, and the strained Franz Ferdinand balladeer tones, of lead vocal Seamy G.

The four sample tracks on the band's MySpace account have a running theme of the ageless search for love lost. The latest track "Why should I wait?" is redolent of many frustrated vinyl anthems laid down by lovers fed up 'waiting in vain'.

Garland's technique has evolved since his early days with the cover band, "Three Men and a Wee Lad". The wiry vocals combined with the vigorous vibrations of Wright's lead guitar, produce a sound worthy of challenging the North of Ireland music scene.

The band's next gig is March 24, 2009 at Aunt Annies, in downtown Belfast, with a $3 cover. That's English pounds, not Dollars. My computer is American, what can I say?

Hughes to receive award

Geraldine Hughes from West Belfast is to be awarded an honorary doctorate for her services to the performing arts by Queens University. Hughes was recently cast alongside Sylvester Stallone in the movie Rocky Balboa, and has just completed filming the Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino.

Shock Signing for Bhoys, Yeah Mon!

Champions of Scotland, Glasgow Celtic, closed the transfer window by signing Jamaican striker Bob Marley, for a staggering $400m. Marley said he always wanted to play for the hoops, and hopes his rub-a-dub stylee will be an added boost to to the Scottish club.

Year of the Ox

Sorry folks, I missed the Chinese New Year. Ive been sick with a bout of the suds.Anyway Bhlian shona na Bho daoibh! Happy Year of the Ox! (I think).

May you never lay yer head down

John Martyn, the eclectic Scottish singer/songwriter, has died aged 60. An inspiration to many artists, and a delight to the ears of millions. May he never be forgotten. John Martyn, RIP.

Left for dead

Is this what Bush meant when he said,"In order for there to be peace, Hamas must be dismantled"(Bush, 2003)?
Peace will not come by raining down rockets on helpless families. All this will do is incite people to exact revenge upon the perpetrators. I hope the new administration will act to put a stop to the brutality, which 16 year old, Ahmed, was subjected to, before more innocent families are destroyed.

CNN.2003.Bush: Hamas must be dismantled . Retrieved January 27, 2009 from http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/06/25/bush.hamas/

Helen go bragh!

Not one to be carried away on the tide of politico fever sweeping the nation, Helen Thomas sticks to her guns, and fires a volley at the newly appointed press secretary, Robert Gibbs. At the press corp question time, this afternoon, Helen asked Gibbs why President Obama was sending more American troops into Afghanistan "to kill people"?

Gibbs glibly replied, that the "terrorists reside in Afghanistan". Coming down with a touch of 'Bushitis', Robert?

A, B, C, or Declassified?

In England and Wales the governments have decided to increase the penalties for Cannabis possession. The Home Secretary of England decided that Cannabis has an 'impact on young people's mental health'. I am no expert on the mental health of the youth of England and Wales, but take one look at the Sunday papers, or the police reports of any given weekend, and the amount of alcohol related crimes, including stabbings, beatings, car crashes, murder, spousal abuse, family breakups, and alcohol abuse, there you will find overwhelming evidence that alcohol, and not marijuana should be made illegal.

Once again I am not an expert, but in all my years I have never heard of any marijuana related crimes that are covered by the above list. One of the most prolific, peace promoting, reggae artists of all time, Bob Marley, was an advocate of marijuana use, and I would just ask the english Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, if she thought that Bob Marley's ideas, and visions of world peace, and unity were the ravings of a person whose mental health was damaged through his use of marijuana?

In America, the so called 'war on drugs' has seen many young men, mainly black men, imprisoned for small amounts of marijuana possession. Is this england's future vision for its ethnic population; to imprison its young black, and asian men on misdemeanor drug charges?

I know one thing based on englands prior history concerning its 'ethnic problems' that imprisonment is the least of the weapons in its arsenal. Consider the following:
Slavery, internment, concentration camps, shoot-to-kill, starvation, plantations, and ethnic cleansing, need I go on?

One Love,
PastyBap

Viva la Quinta Brigada

"No Pasaran, the pledge that made them fight
Adelante was the cry around the hillside
Let us all remember them tonight"


Irish Volunteer, Bob Doyle, who fought against Franco in the Spanish Civil war, alongside the 50,000 brave men of the International Brigade, died today aged 93. Imprisoned by Italian facists in the San Pedro prison, Mr Doyle's story was retold in his autobiography 'Brigadista', an account of the fight against facism in pre-World War II Spain.

Infants stabbed at Belgian creche

I thought I should share this story with you. The crazed attack on helpless children is one of the most shocking news items I have read in a while. My condolences go to the families of the children who were harmed in this cowardly attack.

Letter from America

I was wondering what you all thought about someone, who doesn't live on the Falls anymore, writing a blog about the Falls. Should I just shut up, forget about where I'm from, and let the people who live there have exclusive rights to what goes on down the road? Or should I continue rambling about whats going on over there?

Although memories make life harder being away from the road, I can never forget my roots, and the main reason I started first with the old Lowerwack website, and now the blog. I hope the blog will continue the camaraderie that exists in the site, and that my contribution with this blog will make the transition a little easier.

West Belfast fundraising drive for Palestine to continue this weekend

The funding drive for medical aid to Palestine is hoping to raise more money for the embattled citizens of the Gaza strip. Representatives from Sinn Fein will once again be on the streets of West Belfast collecting money to provide 'medicine, bandages and important equipment needed to treat the thousands upon thousands of injured men, women and children in the Gaza strip'(SF, 2009).
Any thoughts about the Israeli offense on Palestine and/or the fundraising by Sinn Fein?

Failte an t-Uachtaran nua Obama

I hope the members of the Lowerwack will join me in welcoming the new President of the United States: President Barack Obama

Welcome!

Failte gach duine go dti an blog nua Lowerwack!

Welcome everyone to the new Lowerwack blog!

The New Year is a time of transition, and as many of you may know, the Lowerwack forum is closing down. I am in the process of implementing a new site, and while that is taking place, I thought the members of the Lowerwack should have a place where they can continue conversing together. Many friendships have been made over the years since the site began, and I start this blog in the hope that the Lowerwack will continue.