Monthly Archives: June 2013

The Battle of the Somme in 1916 has been celebrated by Ulster Protestants as an essential part of their heritage.  Yet the sacrifice of young lives in the battlefields of France during the First World War were in reality a … Continue reading →

President Higgins keynote speaker at second 1912-1923 conference    Left to Right: Professor Ralph Darlington, Dr Michael Murphy, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Mrs Sabina Higgins, Professor Karen Hunt, and Mr Padraig Yeates. The President of Ireland, Michael D. … Continue reading →

The American War of Independence struck a sympathetic chord in Ulster.  Many thousands of Ulster people had emigrated to America and some were in the forefront of the Revolution.  However when France declared its support for the Colonists, Volunteer Companies … Continue reading →

The inhabitants of our Island are renowned for their gift of storytelling, for the lyrical construction of their daily talk, and for their unique literary achievements.  This fondness  for the “word” is deeply rooted within the population.  The ancient poets, who preserved … Continue reading →

One of the great religious figures was Columba (Colum Cille), born at Gartan , Donegal on 7th December, 521, and claimed to have been a prince of the Northern Ui Neill, his father a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine … Continue reading →

In 398 AD St Ninian had established the first Christian Church in what is now Scotland at Canada Casa now Whithorn in Galloway.  Although little is known about this great Christian saint of the Novantes or the earliest history of … Continue reading →

There have been a variety of factors, among them the continued survival of a predominately rural way of life, which has ensured that Ireland has preserved a wealth of antiquities, many of which blend effortless in to the surrounding environment.   … Continue reading →

On 9th June, 597, St Columba died, and this day has been established as Scotland’s day of diasporas, celebrating the diversity of those living in Scotland in the 21st Century. This is my lecture to the recent Donegal-Diaspora conference, “Hands … Continue reading →

Authorities in Heuvelland, Belgium have sent a promotional leaflet prepared to raise consciousness of the “THE IRISH/ULSTER CONNECTION” in the regional programme entitled “THE WIJTSCHATE MESSINES RIDGE EXPERIENCE”.   Have a look at their flyer attached herewith and also visit their site:- … Continue reading →