When even the shared symbol of the Red Hand upsets at least one bigot, is it any wonder we get divided over terminology? There seems to be some disagreement over what exactly constitutes Ulster and when it is and isn't appropriate to use the term. Ind… more »

I realise posts have been few and far between here recently. That's partly because I haven't read anything that interested me lately, except for a book on the story of eBay (The Perfect Store: Inside EBay), but mostly because I've been back at uni and fa… more »

The British Olympic Association must (and will) enter a UK team (or more likely, a "Great Britain & Northern Ireland" team) in the football competition in the 2012 Olympics in London. Despite opposition from the Welsh and Scottish FAs, worried that i… more »

A couple of days ago Mick Fealty mentioned rumours about an impending move by the Labour Party to organise properly in Northern Ireland. While I'd welcome such a move towards the normalisation of politics in this little corner of Britain, it turns out th… more »

It's been a busy day for the DUP. They started the morning by lambasting Sinn Fein for boycotting a debate on law and order (a touch ironic given the desire Sinn Fein can't wait to get their mits on devolved Policing & Justice powers) and finished it… more »

Now that Northern Ireland's football team have just finished playing a couple of international matches, it seems it's time for the obligatory whinge to the local press about the perceived need for an all-Ireland football team. As ever, this argument will… more »

There is a 2007 update to this post containing more recent information. Over the years, I've bought numerous items from online mail order computer/electronics stores, and almost every time have been surprised by the high surcharge on deliveries to Nor… more »

What a week. Northern Ireland get a hammering at home to underdogs Iceland, beat Spain, ranked 7th in the world, and then there's talk of the manager quitting. Thankfully, on Saturday Lawrie Sanchez announced, to the surprise of some and delight of m… more »

Speculation is mounting that Lawrie Sanchez may quit as Northern Ireland manager inside the next week. Frankly, I wouldn't blame him. The shit he has taken in the last week from unprofessional journalists has been sensationalist and undeserved. One o… more »

It's hard to think of much to add to the discussions already taking place regarding Northern Ireland's historic victory over Spain last night at Windsor Park (highlights linked last night). The atmosphere at the ground was unbelievable and the tension… more »