Category Archives: Article

5 MARCH 2012 REVIEW: VAN MORRISON, BOURNEMOUTH PAVILLION I FIRST SAW VAN MORRISON AT BIRMINGHAM’S RAINBOW SUITE CLUB IN 1965. I WAS A PRECOCIOUS UNDER-AGE YOUNGSTER; VAN MORRISON HAD ALREADY HAD TWO HUGE POP HITS WITH BABY PLEASE DON’T GO … Continue reading →

Van Morrison at the Brighton Dome, 3rd March 2012   I have seen Van Morrison live far too many times to remember, and as many may be aware,  sometimes he’ll blow the audience away, sometimes less so, and sometimes his … Continue reading →

Today, I attended the launch of the programme of events to commemorate the Titanic at Belfast City Hall, meeting my friends and colleagues, Arlene Foster and Lord Mayor, Niall O'Donnghaile. More than 120 shows, talks and films will take place … Continue reading →

Today I was invited by the Ulster History Circle Chairman Chris Spurr and North Down Borough Council to the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to the Sculptor Morris Harding (1874-1964) at 104 Church Road , Holywood. I was accompanied by Liam Logan … Continue reading →

  Book Launch Held on the 21st February, hosted by Ballymoney’s Mayor Ian Stevenson in the Mayor’s Parlour. The Ullans Speakers Association launched their latest 4 books, Children’s activity book on the ‘Saisons an the Wather’, ‘Furst reading book in Ulster … Continue reading →

Saint Valentine (in Latin Valentinus) is the name of several (14 in all ) martyred saints of Ancient Rome. The name “Valentine”, derived from valens (worthy, strong, powerful), was popular in Late Antiquity. Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is … Continue reading →

Tonight at the Linenhall Library ,Belfast, accompanied by my friends Suzanne, George and Malcolm Mc Clean, I launched a new cultural and tourist trail linking Ireland and Scotland. Slí Cholmcille, the St Columba Trail is named after St Colmcille or Columba, an important … Continue reading →

As High Sheriff of Belfast I named War on Want NI as my chosen charity of the year. It is NI’s oldest local charity working with some of the poorest communities in Africa to find lasting solutions to poverty and … Continue reading →

The Ulster Orchestra and the Ulster-Scots Agency came together last night at Ye Banks and Braes – a special Burns Night celebration off all things Scottish at the Ulster Hall. I attended,following a Reception at the Ulster-Scots Agency, with my friend Professor Wesley … Continue reading →

  POSSE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY, 2012 AT 11.00AM LIBRARY, CITY HALL, BELFAST         Present: Dr. Ian Adamson, Co-Chair Senator Martin McAleese, Co-Chair Mr. Jackie McDonald Mr. George Newell Mr. Sean … Continue reading →