His fists earned him a world featherweight boxing title, but his songs and geniality won him his city’s hearts. Nicknamed the singing Irishman, Rinty Monaghan, even decades after he left the ring, remains a beloved Belfast icon. In a town full of fascinating characters, Monaghan has proven to be one of…

Shortly after the death of Martin McGuinness, I listened to a radio discussion about the Provisional IRA and its origins. Among the contributors was Ruth Dudley Edwards, the self-professed revisionist historian. At one stage in the programme, I heard her say, “I can understand why people went out on civil rights marches…

These are the Peninsula Pens that have been made for the celebrations of the Titanic that my family had an involvement in.  It is so humbling to have a great-grandfather…

I trace my wood crafting roots right back to my great-grandfather, David who was a joiner in Harland and Wolff during the building of the RMS Titanic.  My grandmother, Sarah, was witness to the great celebrations at the ships launch in May of 1911.  

The family's bond to the…

When someone picks up a pen from Peninsula Pens they aren’t just holding a writing instrument ... they’re experiencing a lovingly hand-crafted piece of art, and a pen full of history.  From his home studio in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, Terry Williams…

Book Review

"Belfast Days: A 1972 Teenage Diary," by Eimear O’Callaghan

Merrion Press

Copyright 2014

"Belfast Days: A 1972…

By Dr. Christine Kinealy

For many decades, the…

John and Paddy Kennedy in 1969

This coming week will see the anniversary of the passing of John Kelly, a man of stature, honesty, and principle who as a young man was a Republican at a time when it was not popular. There were  people who would…

Kate Nash and Vincent Coyle Interviewed On Radio Free Eireann

Sandy Boyer (SB) and John McDonagh (JM) interview via telephone from Doire (Derry) Kate Nash (KN), the sister of William Nash who was killed by the British Army on Bloody Sunday, and Vincent Coyle (VC), who…

So often do I hear my friends say: ‘I wish my father were here now to see/hear this’. Indeed many of us who have lost our parents find ourselves often, in our later years, thinking of them and wishing we could spend even…

The National Library of Ireland Willie Pearse

DOMHNAIGH -- On May 4, 1916, the British…

By John Walsh

"Titanic Sinking" by Willy Stöwer. Click on image to see a larger…

An Irish language development officer in east Belfast says many people there are upset by an Orange Order claim that Irish is being used for political purposes by…

Let's take a look back to the late 1800s and early 1900s at old pictures of the rural countryside and city life throughout various parts of Ireland. (Top image: Donkey cart…

A Book Review: "Walls – Travels Along The Barricades"

by Marcello Di Cintio

Soft…

First off, Paddy is a Hell of a nice guy! Secondly, he gives an IMPRESSIVE interview!

You can visit his site here: http://paddybrown.co.uk

Read on to find out more about the Belfast Cartoonist….…

Sadness descended over Lurgan in Co. Armagh on Sunday, July 21, 2013 as the news filtered out that legendary Belfast Celtic inside forward Jackie Denver had passed away.



A stalwart of Elisha Scott's team in the late 1940's, Denver was an ever present in Scott's sides. He played in many of the most memorable games in the club's final days, including the 'Windsor…

Mum told me a story years ago about her godchild's mother and aunt being shot by the British army. Even though I have been digging around in her O'Rourke past, she always refers me to this other side of her family who she reminisces about with such fondness. When mum ran away from home, she went to live with Uncle James who…

In a picture-postcard graveyard clinging  to the side of the Black Mountain in Belfast, the memory of Belfast Celtic’s  greatest ever player was recalled on June 30, 2012.



Mickey Hamill, the former Glasgow and  Belfast Celtic centre-half, who also played…