Léargas

  Words for  Shane Last Friday I travelled to Nenagh for the funeral of Shane MacGowan. It was a sad and yet joyous event with family and friends lifting their voices and their hearts as a succession of musicians played some of Shane’s best known songs, including the exuberant Fairytale of New York, Cór Cúil Aodha, including Seán O’Sé and Seán O’Riada’s son Peadar also did what they do best. I did a Reading at the mass and made a few remarks. This is what I said: “Victoria asked me to say a few words. That’s what Shane wanted. Mo comhbrón leatsa agus leis bhur gclann go h’airithe deirifiur Shane and a Athair, Siobhán agus Maurice. Go raibh maith agat an Athair Pat. My words are words of gratitude. Gratitude for Shane’s genius – for his songs. His creativity and his attitude. Gratitude for his humour and his intelligence and his compassion. Grateful for his vulnerability, his knowledge and his modesty. Gratitude for his celebration of the marginalised, the poor, ou

Where to for Loyalism? I have met many loyalists over a very long time. In prison. Out of prison. In secret or in private talks going back to the 1970s. And many times since then. I like to think that some of us became friends. Or at least we became friendly. Some loyalist leaders played a crucial role in the negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement. They deserve great credit for that. That was then.  Unfortunately some of those involved have died or are no longer active. In other instances more progressive elements have been replaced by a younger cohort, with little interest in politics or experience of prison or conflict. Twenty five years after the Good Friday Agreement the main loyalist organisations remain in existence. Why? Maybe for some it is a way of life. For others it is a lucrative way of life especially for those who are involved in the illegal drugs trade. In many cases it is impossible to distinguish between the two. There is not even a pretense that they

  Going from strength to strength  Regular readers will know that Ionad Eileen Howell/St. Comgall’s was formally opened in June by the US Economic Envoy Joe Kennedy. It came after many years of fundraising, planning and hard work by all involved – not least Eileen Howell who the centre is named after. The project is designed to promote economic, educational, social and cultural benefits for the people who live and work in the local area and to promote good relations between communities. Ionad Eileen Howell joins Conway Mill and other local projects in this important work.  Last Friday the last unit in Saint Comgall’s was formally opened by the Pat Finucane Centre, the human rights NGO named after assassinated Human Rights Lawyer Pat Finucane.  The same week it was joint winner of the Community Award at the Aisling Awards. It has been a busy five months for Ionad Eileen Howell. The Director of the Project Gerry McConville told me of the many recent events that have been held there