50th Anniversary

As long as there’s a Black Mountain above West Belfast, there'll be an Andersonstown News

PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins said it best in his Gaeilge letter of congratulations to the Andersonstown News on reaching the half-century milestone: newspapers are the cornerstone of our democracy and vital building blocks of community.

Para mercenaries reaped bloody harvest from Andytown to Angola

Tiarnán Ó Muilleoir on the Para mercenaries who went from Belfast to Africa to meet a brutal end... and how the story was covered by the Andersonstown News

A'town 72-22: After 50 years of change, four West Belfast teachers look optimistically to the future

FIFTY years is a long time to measure change in any society and that’s especially true in a society like ours which underwent massive upheaval and turmoil in that time. It would be hard to find any sector of society in West Belfast which is the same as it was in 1972 and that is especially the case for education.

A'town News 72-22: 'Good friends have been murdered by the police', Fr Des reflects on week of carnage

This column by Fr Des Wilson first appeared on 8 February 1992 after eight Catholics had been murdered in attacks across Belfast including at the Sinn Féin Centre in Sevastopol Street and in the Sean Graham bookmakers.

A'town News 72-22: World champion Conlan reflects on his year of glory

In October 2015, Michael Conlan became Ireland’s first-ever male World Amateur champion. This article first appeared then.

A'town News 72-22: 1989 brought final reckoning for Antrim hurlers

In 2009, it was 20 years from Antrim’s last All-Ireland final appearance. Ciaran Barr, Gerard Holden and Paul McStravick chatted to David Mohan about the most memorable day for Antrim hurling in a generation...

A'town News 72-22: No stopping Irish language revolution

FROM the foundations of the first urban Gaeltacht on the Shaws Road and the establishment of the first bunscoil in the North in 1971, many West Belfast names and faces come to mind when we reflect on the campaign for the Irish language revival.

A'town News 72-22: From crisis to hope in battle to save our surrounds

You’ll find plenty to celebrate in this half-century supplement championing not only this great community paper, but the community that it served. It’s a half-century journey of triumph over adversity in so many areas of life.

A'town News 72-22: BBC still can't pronounce Irish names, writes Nicky Tamm

This article by Nicky Tamm (the pen name of journalist Frank Doherty) first appeared on the 31 August 1974.

A'town News 72-22: Community finds its true voice with Féile

FÉILE an Phobail was formed in 1988, following the harrowing events of March that year when the killing of corporals Derek Wood and David Howes – at the funeral of IRA Volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh – led to West Belfast being branded a “terrorist community”.

A'town News 72-22: Black Taxis drove West Belfast renaissance

AS the Andersonstown News marks its 50th anniversary, another West Belfast institution which has been literally on the go even longer is the Black Taxi Association. Started in 1971, black taxis have been a mainstay on the roads for over 50 years, servicing the Falls, Glen Road, Lagmore, Twinbrook, Poleglass and Ardoyne in North Belfast to name but a few.

TUAIRIM: Tá pobal na Gaeilge láidir, ioldánach agus aibí tar éis fás 50 bliain

Bhí seisiún ag Scoil Gheimhridh Uí Chadhain, a d’eagraigh Glór na Móna an deireadh seachtaine seo caite, ar an Ghaeilge agus díchoilíniú. In 1986 scríobh an t-údar Céiniach Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o gurb é an buama cultúrtha’ an t-arm is cumhachtaí atá ag an choilíneoir le meanma aon phobal a sheasann an fód ina aghaidh a bhriseadh (Decolonising the Mind: the Politics of Language in African Literature).

50th Anniversary: Our first front page a snapshot in history

Anti-internment newsheet was vital community voice

LISTEN - 50 YEAR MILESTONE: Presenting our podcasts looking back over a community's rise

FIFTY years ago, a group of dedicated individuals came together to create a platform for the voices of the Andersonstown community. And for the past half century, we have been committed to bringing you the latest news, analysis, and opinions from the heart of West Belfast.

O'CARROLL: Every paper was read from cover to cover

IN my memory, the streets of West Belfast were pretty grim in the autumn and winter of 1972. Smoke from bonfires and barricades, as well as the innumerable, ever-burning coal fires, filled your nose and lungs, permeated your clothes and limited your vision on those grey days that rarely saw the gloom lift even during the short daylight hours.

Gaelic Games: Antrim GAA outline a new five-year strategic plan

Jiu-Jitsu: ‘Godfather of Irish MMA’ Andy Ryan hosts masterclass

Basketball: Star edge Maree in nailbiter

NIFL Premiership: Larne strike late to deny Cliftonville long-awaited Inver victory

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT: Win a copy of Bill Kirk's superb book of Falls memories

JUST THE GOLDEN TICKET: St Joseph's Christmas show is a big hit

DÚLRA: Council kids leading the green revolution

HEALTHWISE: Parsnips aren't just for your Christmas dinner

50th Anniversary

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