EcoTrail Wicklow 46k reviewby Allan LEONARD26 September 2026 The forecast for good weather proved true, as I lightly jogged the kilometre down the road to the beachside esplanade of Bray town. This was confirmed by a live broadcast link with race crew at Bray Head, announcing the perfect conditions. The race director, Seán Clifford, declared that this year’s event was set to be Ireland’s biggest trail race ever, with over 2,300 registered runners.

This is why, for example, fact checks often come to nothing: People who want to believe disinformation do so precisely because they want to believe something — and not because they lack information. We have more than enough information. Source: (1) „Now I can finally talk to my AfD grandpa“ — Interview with Eileen HEINRICHS (Bonn Institute)

‘Days of conversation, centuries of consequence’: Benjamin Franklin at Hillsborough Castleby Allan LEONARD16 September 2026 The Linen Hall Library in Belfast hosted the final event in its five-part series marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. The talk, introduced by Patsy Horton, the library’s cultural programmer, was delivered by David Orr, Castle and Collections Manager at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

Violence receding, foundations lagging: findings from new Northern Ireland Peace Indexby Allan LEONARD2 September 2026 Queen’s University Belfast’s Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice hosted the launch of the first Northern Ireland Peace Index (NIPI). The Index is the result of a partnership between QUB and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent, non-partisan global think tank headquartered in Sydney.

'It's all here to be told': Ulster's role in the American declaration of independenceby Allan LEONARD25 August 2026 The Linen Hall library in Belfast hosted a panel discussion as part of its USA-NI 250 exhibition programme, marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. The event, “The American Declaration of Independence: American and Ulster Contexts, Links and Legacies,” was chaired by…

‘Parental choice is an illusion’: the gap between integrated education demand and provisionby Allan LEONARD6 August 2026 As part of this year’s Féile debates and discussion programme, the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) hosted a public event at St Mary’s University College in Belfast, to launch new research into the reality of parental choice in school selection in Northern Ireland.

Songs of the blackberry path: Tia Bow maps a journey from the Troubles to discoveryby Allan LEONARD30 July 2026 Blackberry Path is a forthcoming album by Belfast-based songwriter Tia Bow (Fionnuala Fagan-Thiébot), with her bandmates Clare Galway and Danny Trouton. Their one-hour live performance of all of the album’s songs delved into Fagan-Thiébot’s personal narrative, exploring themes of life’s unpredictable journey, self-discovery, friendship, love, loss, care, and hope.

UTMB Speedgoat 32k reviewby Allan LEONARD24 July 2026 Driving the 9% climb up the mountain indicated what was in store for my attempt to climb 2,000m over the Speedgoat 32k course, with a maximum altitude of 3,337m at Hidden Peak. I have been training for this event for several months, as well as heat and altitude acclimation over the past few weeks while in the US.

Mr Ulster | Belfast, Northern IrelandGrateful for this article highlighting Bending Spoon's modus operandi. While I recognise the improvements they brought to Evernote, their destruction of the Komoot team was pretty ruthless, beautifully reflected in this heartfelt video made by the redundant staff:  And post-acquisition, Komoot isn't so compelling; here the community vibe added value that is now gone forever.

At a café in Llanberis, I met up with Duncan, who told me that he has had his kit officially inspected for his UTMB Snowdonia 100k race, with the exception of a mandatory cold weather item of “clear g...

And so analysis matters but argument matters more. Evidence matters but so too does emotion. Stories beat spreadsheets. Source: Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer’s speech in C...

‘Productive discomfort’: artists grapple with identity’s contradictions in live ARINS podcastby Allan LEONARD8 May 2026 Belfast Exposed gallery on Donegall Street hosted a live recording of the ARINS “My Identity” podcast on 8 May 2026, as part of the BIEN programme — an ongoing series of exhibitions and events under the title “British? Irish? Either? Neither?”. The event was chaired by…

Test post written via JetPack app. Not super slick, but it works. #socialmedia

‘The violence is continuing’: scholars examine embodied memory of conflictby Allan LEONARD6 May 2026 The International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE) at Ulster University hosted a seminar to mark the exhibition “Aftershocks: The Sensory Afterlives of Violence”, on display at the university’s Belfast campus until 13 May. The seminar brought together Professor Roísín Higgins (Maynooth University), who organised the event and chaired proceedings, in conversation with…

“There is among a growing desire to change the present image of that area from a place where time never seemed to move, where old animosities are carefully fostered, and where bigotry and intolerance seem to be preserved as a way of life, to one in closer conformity to the spirit of the age.” —Sean Lemass, as Taoiseach, in Arklow, 12/4/1964. The Irish Times, 15/1/1965.

“From this day on, we declare war against the IRA and its splinter groups.” —Ulster Volunteer Force, as loyalist group, in statement signifying re-emergence as paramilitary force, 21/5/1966. Deutsch and Magowan, Northern Ireland, 1968-1973, A Chronology of Events, Vol. 1, Blackstaff Press, 1973, p. 4.

“The only sensible thing was to have him certified as a person insane. There could be no doubt in any person’s mind that Mr Paisley was insane and an absolute lunatic.” —Gerry Fitt, as Republican Labour MP, at Stormont, after riots in Belfast’s Cromac Square when Rev. Ian Paisley’s supporters marched through nationalist area carrying anti-Catholic slogans, 7/6/1966. The Irish Times, 8/6/1966.

“To those of us who remember the Thirties, the pattern is horribly familiar. The contempt for established authority; the crude and unthinking intolerance; the emphasis upon monster processions and rallies; the appeal to a perverted form of patriotism — each and every one of these things has its parallel in the rise of the Nazis to power.” —Terence O’Neill, as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, at Stormont, on activities of Rev. Ian Paisley, 15/6/1966. Patrick Marrinan, Paisley, Man of Wrath, Anvil, 1973, p. 109.

“If we cannot obtain justice through normal channels, then we should do so through the only other effective means at our disposal. There was no danger of violence. Indeed, civil disobedience was a safety valve.” —Austin Currie, as Nationalist MP, at party conference, after squatting in council house in Caledon, Co. Tyrone, allocated to 19-year-old single Protestant woman, 23/6/1968. The Irish Times, 24/6/1968.

“Following this killing there could be retaliation and a spread of violence. Action must be taken before this happens. The situation is very dangerous.” —Paul Rose, as Labour MP and Chairman of Campaign for Democracy in Ireland, on UVF attack on Catholic barmen in Malvern Street, Belfast, 26/6/1966. The Irish Times, 27/6/1966.

“I flew back last night from France. The purpose of my visit was to honour the men of the 36th Division, many of whom were members of the original and authentic UVF. Let no one imagine that there is any connection between the two bodies; between men who were ready to die for their country on the fields of France, and a sordid conspiracy of criminals prepared to take up arms against unprotected fellow citizens.” —Terence O’Neill, as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, at Stormont, banning the UVF, 28/6/1966. Ken Bloomfield, Stormont in Crisis, Blackstaff Press, 1994, p. 95.

“Those who pay the piper are entitled to call the tune. One man, one vote is not the law and is not a basic principle in local government elections.” —Albert Anderson, as Ulster Unionist Mayor of Derry/Londonderry, opposing campaign against company and plural votes in local government, 1/7/1966. Paul Routledge, John Hume, Harper Collins, 1998, p. 55.

“When we in the Unionist Party defend ourselves against the political attacks of the Nationalist Party, we are perforce defending ourselves against the Roman Catholic hierarchy… Until the hierarchy renounces its influence in politics, the Orange Order cannot renounce its influence in the Unionist Party.” —Brian Faulkner, as Ulster Unionist MP, at Orange demonstration in Comber, Co. Down, 12/7/1960. Boyd, Andrew, Brian Faulkner and The Crisis in Ulster Unionism, Anvil, 1972, pp. 35–36.

“Ulster has only room for one party.” —Basil Brooke (Lord Brookeborough), as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, speaking against Protestant support for the Northern Ireland Labour Party because of unemployment, 3/8/1961. Arthur, Paul, Government and Politics of Northern Ireland, Longman, 1984, p. 78.

“The Catholics have been interfering in Ulster affairs since 1641.” —Rev. Ian Paisley, as leader of Free Presbyterian Church, 14/8/1968. The Irish Times, 15/8/1968.

“If that flag is not removed tomorrow, I will organise a march and remove it myself.” —Rev. Ian Paisley, as leader of Free Presbyterian Church, in Ulster Hall address, referring to Irish tricolour at Republican Party headquarters in Divis Street, Belfast, 27/9/1964. Patrick Marrinan, Paisley, Man of Wrath, Anvil, 1973, p. 82

“I uttered a prayer of thanks as the blood spilled over my face and on my shirt… I knew that at last Northern Ireland as she really was would be seen before the world.” —Gerry Fitt, as Republican Labour MP, after being batoned by RUC at Civil Rights Association march in Derry/Londonderry, 5/10/1968. The Irish Times, 23/11/1979.

“We might get back to the situation of 1912 when a Liberal Government tried to interfere in Irish affairs.” —Terence O’Neill, as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, warning of Unionist rebellion if UK Government intervened after Derry/Londonderry riots of 5 October 1968, 7/10/1968. The Irish Times, 8/10/1968.

At WordPress.com, we believe short thoughts deserve a real home. Today we’re introducing a new theme built for quick posts, replies, and reblogs: the kind of writing that lives somewhere betw…

From tartans to Guinness: Identity in Northern Ireland and beyondby Allan LEONARD21 April 2026 Belfast Exposed photography gallery on Donegall Street hosted "Why Is Identity So Difficult?", a public lecture and discussion delivered by Professor Dominic Bryan of Queen's University Belfast. The event was organised Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE) by Katy Radford and formed part of the gallery's BIEN programme, which accompanies…

Curating the conflict: Everyday Objects and the challenge of representing the Troublesby Allan LEONARD18 March 2026 An online panel discussion hosted by The Peace Museum in Bradford brought together museum professionals, academics, and heritage practitioners to explore how the conflict in and about Northern Ireland has been represented in exhibitions. Chaired by Dr Louise Purbrick of the Royal College of Art, the conversation introduced the museum’s current special exhibition, Everyday Objects Transformed by the Conflict, developed by Healing Through Remembering (HTR).

So, is this the Twitter-like space for random thoughts on WordPress Reader?

The power of peacebuilding: McAleese’s personal toll and Hume’s enduring call for dialogueby Allan LEONARD20 February 2026 The John and Pat Hume Foundation recently hosted a significant gathering at Clonard Monastery to reflect on the enduring legacy of John and Pat Hume in achieving peace and reconciliation in Ireland. Father Ciaran O’Callaghan, Vice-Director of Clonard, welcomed attendees on behalf of the Rector and community, noting the profound connection between the Hume Foundation and the Redemptorists.

Waiting to board the Ryanair flight from Dublin to Newquay, the sight of fellow passengers wearing running trainers and inspecting their phones with the LiveTrail running app, confirmed that I was among a pack travelling to participate in the UTMB Arc of Attrition race. Before leaving the tiny airport at Newquay, I met fellow runner Gerard, who was concerned about how muddy the course would be after several days of heavy rain.

Book review — The Wonder Wheel: Harold Feinstein (Centre de la photographie de Mougins)by Allan LEONARD28 November 2025 Harold Feinstein (1931–2015) is the most unjustly overlooked master of the post-war “New York school of photography”. A child prodigy whose work was acquired by MoMA at age 19, Feinstein was described by his peers and students as part artist, part guru, and a “

Review — The Race that Changed Running (Doug MAYER)by Allan LEONARD14 November 2025 Trail runners know about UTMB — Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc — the 100-mile race around the mountain and its cols, covering three countries of France, Italy, and Switzerland. In a 208-page book, The Race that Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB, Doug Mayer sets out to explain the origins of UTMB and how it “brought about a revolution in running that continues to resonate around the globe”.

BBC Radio Ulster programme, Seven Days, reviews and discusses topic about book, The Right Nation: Why America is Different, written by John Micklethwait and Adrian Woolridge. Expert contributions by John Micklethwait and Nick Cohen (The Guardian). Panellists were Fionuala Meredith, Newt Emerson, Brian Ashworth ("an American Christian missionary living in Bangor") and Allan Leonard ("a Democrat voter"). John Micklethwait defined conservatism in America as distinctively different than that in Europe.

“The Catholics have been interfering in Ulster affairs since 1641.” —Rev. Ian Paisley, as leader of Free Presbyterian Church, 14/8/1968. The Irish Times, 15/8/1968.