20th Century
Bax of Delights
There have been quite a few occasions when one wished one was a fly on the wall to listen in on a conversation. The private discussion between Sir Arnold Bax, Master of the King’s Musick, [more…]
Ireland
20th Century
Major Edward “Mick” Mannock – Flamerinoes
Back in France after his leave, on 12th July 1917 Mannock shot down a DFW twin-seat reconnaissance aircraft near Avion. He wrote in his diary: The bus crashed south of Avion. I hurried out at [more…]
Health
Major Edward “Mick” Mannock – A Study of Combat Stress
An Irish Airman Foresees his Death I know that I shall meet my fate Somewhere among the clouds above; Those that I fight I do not hate Those that I guard I do not love; [more…]
17th Century
I Hate to Say This But . . .
Noticing an internet forum thread entitled, ‘You know you’re getting old when . . .,’ a personal ‘when’ came swiftly to mind as: ‘. . . you hear (usually much younger) people discussing something as [more…]
Literature
Dr Ian Adamson OBE, 1944-2019
I was truly saddened yesterday to hear the news of the death of Dr Ian Adamson OBE. Ian was 74. Former Lord Mayor of Belfast; UUP representative on Belfast City Council from 1989 to 2011; [more…]
Arts
Postscript – Abortion law in Ireland is torn up
In a previous GP article I tried to understand the forces at play in the Irish abortion campaign. What follows is a postscript. The final result was: 66.4% for Yes / Repeal the 8th Amendment [more…]
Arts
The 2018 Abortion Referendum in Ireland – Repealers v. Retainers
NB: “Ireland” in this article will refer to the Republic of Ireland (RoI, or Eire, as per its Constitution); may GPers in Northern Ireland forgive me for this shortcut. Ireland, the country that does not [more…]
Uncategorized
The Strange Death of Jack Moeran
Kenmare Pier, Co.Kerry Just after 4 p.m. on December 1st 1950 a single figure was seen walking down the length of Kenmare Pier in Co.Kerry, southern Ireland. It was already getting quite dark and the [more…]
Uncategorized
Gmbd, Ireland
I’m supposed to die in Ireland according to my horoscope, either there or India. Should I go ? Ireland is the place alcoholhicks go to die so I should fit right in. I really love [more…]