A visit to Westport encompasses many aspects of the unique history of the West of Ireland. ℘℘℘ On a clear day the panoramic vista from Sheeaune Hill on the Castlebar Road approach to Westport, Co. Mayo, is breathtaking. The town snuggles in a cosy hollow that is dominated by the pyramidal peak of Ireland's holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. Clare Island -- the reputed burial place … [Read more...] about The Jewel of the West
August September 2002 Issue
Nice Referendum
Set for Autumn
Once again, Irish people are heading to the polls to vote on the Nice Treaty.
They will be asked this autumn to vote in favor of the Treaty which will bring in EU enlargement, having already said No to Nice just a year ago.
There is growing pessimism in government circles that the people could reject the Treaty again. The way the government has handled the debate has also … [Read more...] about Nice Referendum
Set for Autumn
Irish Soccer Stand-off Continues
You may have thought that the World Cup and the Roy Keane saga was over, but a series of new books on Ireland's soccer greats threatens to reopen the wounds and will undoubtedly lead to new conflict between the warring factions in Irish soccer. Four explosive tell-all books are due for release in the coming weeks, starting with a Roy Keane biography penned by controversial … [Read more...] about Irish Soccer Stand-off Continues
Call for Urgent Finucane Inquiry
There is growing pressure on the British Government to hold an independent inquiry into alleged collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the security forces. Catholics in the North are concerned at the apparent stalling by the British government in dealing with a number of high profile killings in the North, particularly the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. The … [Read more...] about Call for Urgent Finucane Inquiry
Sectarianism Filters Down to Next Generation
"Proud to be a Baby Prod" is the slogan on the infant bibs that adorn many small children during the North's marching season. But a new survey has confirmed what was obvious to most observers: that children in the six counties are following the same sectarian ways as their parents. Three-year-old Catholics in the North are twice as likely as Protestant children of the same … [Read more...] about Sectarianism Filters Down to Next Generation