Irishness is not â€˜anti-Britishnessâ€™

Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

A couple of years ago I attended a conference in Dublin on the subject of immigration. At the time, my Government responsibility was not in this area but rather the role of running the Irish Aid programme.

Ireland - through a visitorâ€™s eyes

Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

I arrived in Ireland, like many American college students before me, in wide-eyed anticipation of rolling emerald green hills, long summer days and cold pints shared in old pubs with new friends.

The Nakbah: history through art

Last update: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

On her visits to concentration camp sites in Poland, the Scottish artist Jane Frere explored the Jewish tragedy of the Holocaust.

When will it be okay to be gay?

Last update: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

Homophobic bullying is unfortunately still a regrettable feature of school life in Ireland, just as it is right across Irish society.

Black market is a threat to our economy

Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

As the debate on Ireland’s economic recession continues, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) warned this week that high levels of black market activity, as currently being witnessed by some of its members, will undermine legitimate businesses. The association also said that employment and livelihoods are under threat as a result.

Ten years left to turn things around

Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

“Read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and make a personal pledge to live by its principles.” That’s what former President Mary Robinson told over 600 leaders of philanthropic foundations, corporate funders and NGOs who attended this year’s general assembly of the European Foundation Centre (EFC) in Istanbul recently.

Seven years on, racism is still a major issue

Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

Almost seven years ago, John O’Donoghue – the then Minister for Justice, and current Ceann Comhairle (chairman) of Dáil Éireann – played down the rising level of racism in Irish society when he told the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa that Ireland would deal with racism when it comes.

Racism must be uncovered

Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

The recent incident in Carlow where a young hurler of South African origin had racist insults jeered at him while he played for his local club demonstrates the need to be ever vigilant around the notion of the prejudice that motivates such behaviour.

Our heroes are best left alone

Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

The late Irish-language poet Michael Davitt once wrote a wonderful poem entitled An Maistir, were he tells the tale of spotting an old beloved teacher of his in a pub and how he decided not to approach him, lest he break the magic of his school-day memories.

Businesses must plan for diversity

Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

In the past week I paid a visit to the Wyeth Pharmaceutical facility in Clondalkin on the outskirts of Dublin.

Is Kevin Myers inciting hatred?

Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

My computer was hopping with enraged e-mails regarding Kevin Myers’s recent Irish Independent article, in which the provocative columnist recommended we stop sending aid to starving people in Africa.

Gaelic games the key to integration

Last update: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

The GAA is probably the most important social and sporting organisation ever to have come into existence in Irish life...

Bringing the city together

Last update: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 00:00 | © Metro Éireann

Having recently spent a week in the Big Apple, I was struck by an overriding atmosphere of goodwill.

A chance to be heard, and healed

This week, the third World Forum on Human Rights was held in Nantes, France. Unesco, which organised the event, dedicated it to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We didnâ€™t blow the boom

The Irish economic future is not as bleak as other economies around the world...

Gender and the Immigration Bill

One poignant illustration of the contradictions between the Irish State declaring itself ‘raceless’ and the increasing Irish emphasis on ethnic diversity...

Sure, itâ€™s only a gameâ€¦

What excitement greeted the end of the rollercoaster soccer ride! A dingdong battle between two titans of the modern game was only settled by a looping secondhalf goal which sent the visiting fans into raptures.

EDITORIAL

Muslim handshake drama leaves both sides tainted

First Prev 1 2 3 ... 24 25 26 27 28 Next Last