There's a brief scene in Poleglass author Michael Magee's excellent debut novel 'Close to Home' where its working-class West Belfast narrator, previously sympathetic to the well-meaning statements of a BT9 interlocutor, reacts scornfully in the next second to the latter's casual deployment of 'Northern Ireland' during their interaction.
A group of amateur archivists have come together to found a project aimed at collating and preserving the varied literary and visual output of the Irish republican movement, illuminating its role in shaping modern Ireland. They are now appealing to the public, particularly residents of West Belfast and other republican communities of the six counties, for their help in growing the initiative. The Irish Republican Digital Archive, founded by a group of historically-minded colleagues from around Ireland, catalogues the ebb and flow of republicanism in the modern era, since the 1950s and the order to "dump arms" following the failed Border Campaign, until today, with Sinn Féin the largest party in Ireland and poised to take power in the South.
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 YOUNG Lagmore man has taken the penultimate step towards the priesthood this month with his ordination as a deacon taking place in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Carryduff.
Anti-internment newsheet was vital community voice
“The road from the airport through the southern suburbs of Beirut into the city centre ran through fundamentalist Hezbollah territory and was known the world over as ‘Kidnap Highway’. When Brian left the airport to head up that road he had, as his shield, an armed military escort. I had a letter from Gerry Adams”
Demand for homes in North Belfast is sky-rocketing as the post-lockdown surge in sales sees no signs of abatement.
Belfast house prices are rising at a faster rate than at any time since before the 2009 property crash.
Plans to end the stamp duty holiday for residential homes over £125,000 has caused dismay in the property sector.
Statistics released show average house prices across the UK recording a stunning 7.6 per cent increase over the past year.
There is no doubt 2020 has been one roller coaster ride that everyone wanted to get off, none more so than house hunters and those working within the property industry who were faced with a huge demand for housing. Not only did the estate agents have to go that extra mile to make their clients feel reassured during times of uncertainty but the industry was also met with a massive increase in new demands for property features such as office and outdoor space. However, the local property industry has proven resilient in the face of great Covid-19 adversity and has adapted efficiently and successfully.
An unprecedented surge in first-time buyers roiling the housing market is, say estate agents, an unexpected consequence of the Covid pandemic.
This week's decision to double down on Covid restrictions is likely to ensure demand for new homes remains at record levels.
With no end of the Covid pandemic in sight, one architect predicts a growing demand for garden space from house-hunters.
A front or back garden is having a dramatic upward impact on the price of property during the pandemic.