On Abortion

Pro-life protest outside the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast

Since the opening of a Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast this month, abortion is back in the news in Ireland. The clinic, which offers first-trimester abortions only in cases where the health of the mother is at risk, was picketed on its opening day by both Free Presbyterians and devout Catholics. Other than a disgust of homosexuality, nothing else could bring such sworn enemies together.

Growing up, my parents and teachers told me that since life begins at conception, abortion is murder. As an adult, I have come to realise that such reasoning is faulty.

Who Is That Dashing Lefty?

Thanks to Marty Cullen for this!

On the Ulster Covenant

The Ulster Covenant

[T]here’s no denying that as Ian Paisley kick-started the Troubles, without Edward Carson there might not have been an Easter Rising. - Ruth Dudley Edwards

London hears the Irish gun more keenly than the voice of Irish reason. For decades it had steadfastly obstructed the patient and courteously expressed nationalist demands for Irish self-government, but almost overnight yielded to the threat of violence from the Ulster loyalists. - Kevin Myers

The Ulster Covenant contributed to the cycle of violence that resulted in the Easter Rising, War of Independence and Civil War. - Eoghan Harris

Though I like and admire Ruth Dudley Edwards, it is not often we find common ground in the subject of Irish history. Moreover, to find myself nodding in agreement with Kevin Myers and Eoghan Harris on any subject - let alone Ireland - is a little disconcerting. Yet all three are right about the Ulster Covenant.

In Defence of Eric Hobsbawm

Eric Hobsbawm

 Less than a day after his death, some right-wing commentators have dubbed Eric Hobsbawm the David Irving of the Left. This is a distortion of which Irving himself would be proud.

Greetings!

Hello. My name is Alfie Gallagher and I'm a left-of-centre Sligoman. I'm not sure what I'm doing here or how long this blog will last, but let's see how it goes, shall we?