#Belfast Agreement

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1948 – Birth of Gerry Adams in Belfast.

Gerry Adams, born in Belfast, former president of Sinn Féin, was one of the chief architects of Sinn Féin’s shift to a policy of seeking a peaceful settlement to sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. He was elected several times to the British House of Commons for Belfast West, however, following party policy, did not take his seat. He represented Belfast West (1998–2010) in the Northern…

[seachranaidhe]

👎Shocking analysis from ERG

Bernard Jenkin sets out ERG solution to border. Actual land border in Ireland BUT covered in invisibility cloak.Powered by invisible purple unicorns, griffins, and the juice of 3 rainbows.Seriously haven’t we had enough of these ERG wingnuts? pic.twitter.com/o1jMRsSroN— Deirdre Heenan (@deirdreheenan) February 22, 2023 🤷‍♂️The Ireland’s Future position for some time, is there is only one way to…

[mariacallous]

As war rages between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it is hard to envision an end to the conflict. For decades, though, a growing movement of Palestinian and Israeli women has not only envisioned a peaceful coexistence, but also demanded it.

Just three days before Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack, thousands of women from two peacebuilding groups gathered at Jerusalem’s Tolerance Monument for a rally and march. Israelis from Women Wage Peace carried blue flags, and Palestinians from Women of the Sun flew yellow ones.

Members of the two groups traveled to the Dead Sea—believed since ancient times to have healing qualities—and set a table. Women from both sides pulled up chairs as a symbol of a good-faith resumption of negotiations to reach a political solution.

Women Wage Peace formed in response to Operation Protective Edge, which was Israel’s 2014 invasion of Gaza in the wake of then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s failed effort to restart final status negotiations.

“We, Palestinian and Israeli mothers, are determined to stop the vicious cycle of bloodshed,” reads the preamble to their campaign, the Mother’s Call. This campaign was nine months in the making, and it involved aligning around a single agenda that demands a political solution within a limited time frame.

They set the table to show the importance of dialogue and women’s involvement in decision-making. But in the war between Israel and Hamas that has started since then, women’s voices are largely missing from negotiations and consultations.

Ensuring women’s participation isn’t about equity or fairness or a show of inclusion. It’s about winning the peace.

In 2014, Laurel Stone, then a researcher at Seton Hall University, conducted a quantitative analysis of 156 peace agreements over time. She found that when women are decision-makers—serving as negotiators and mediators—the probability of an agreement lasting at least two years increased by 20 percent. The probability of the agreement holding for 15 years increased by 35 percent.

Many studies show that women tend to be more collaborative, more focused on social issues over military issues, and less likely to attack those who hold differing views. With women at the table, the potential for risk-taking behavior and attacks on perceived enemies may be lower. In diverse teams, decisions are more likely to be based on facts than assumptions.

While men are more likely to be fighters in war, the work of holding families and communities together more often falls to women, and according to some studies, it’s women who more frequently stand up for a return to negotiations, civilian protection, and an end to violence.

“We learned from the cases of Northern Ireland and Liberia,” Yael Braudo-Bahat, the co-director of Women Wage Peace, told Foreign Policy. Women’s active participation greatly strengthened these peace and recovery processes.

Ahead of the formal talks that led to the Belfast Agreement in Northern Ireland, Catholic and Protestant women’s groups formed the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition and gained two seats at a table of 20 in formal negotiations. As one of the few groups that moved beyond the sectarian divide, its members were seen as honest brokers. They represented civil society concerns and helped ensure that the agreement included commitments for social healing and integration.

Because the brutality of war falls disproportionately on women—they frequently are the first to go hungry, serve as the de facto caretakers, and become the victims of increased gender based violence—they are often committed to finding a path to peace even when male leaders won’t compromise.

During the Second Liberian Civil War, women played a heroic role by successfully pressuring male decision-makers to negotiate. The documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell, directed by Gini Reticker and produced by Abigail Disney, popularized the incredible story of how women convinced the warring parties to attend peace talks in Accra, Ghana.

“We were the ones watching our children die of hunger … we were the easiest targets of rape and sexual abuse,” said Nobel Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, the founder of the Women for Liberia Mass Action for Peace grassroots movement, which played a major role in pushing then-President Charles Taylor to sign a peace agreement in 2003. This common suffering among women formed the basis for unity across political and religious divides.

In Israel and Gaza, women will need to play an important role in the implementation of any new accord between Israel and Palestine, Braudo-Bahat said. Her organization’s partnership with its Palestinian counterpart, Women of the Sun, has remained steadfast, even after learning that her co-founder, Vivian Silver, 74, was murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7.

“We continue our plans—we work together, and we don’t hide it,” she said. “It might be dangerous to the Women of the Sun, but they are so courageous.”

Although many Palestinians want peace, for others, “peace is normalization,” a member of Women of the Sun wrote to Foreign Policy via WhatsApp, choosing to go by the initials M.H. to preserve her anonymity and safety. Some Palestinians think that “it’s something shameful to be dealing with Israel,” she added, because it could imply that the Israelis’ treatment of, and policies toward, Palestinians are tolerable.

“I believe we should actively engage and collaborate, even if some label it as normalization,” M.H. said. “I am committed to working toward a better future for us.”

International law is on the side of these women. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted unanimously more than 23 years ago, urges all member states to increase the participation of women in peace and security efforts, and highlights women’s essential role in preventing war, protecting civilians, and negotiating lasting peace.

Despite Israel’s deteriorating track record with regard to women’s rights and roles as decision-makers, women are involved in the war as politicians, members of the military and civilians. Women in politics have made important advances for gender equity, although among the 32 cabinet ministers sworn in a year ago, only five were women. One of those women ministers was dismissed amid the recent closure of the Ministry for the Advancement of Women.

The reality for women in Gaza is far more challenging when it comes to holding leadership positions. Women generally do not participate in public political activities or hold public office, although Hamas appointed 23-year old Isra al-Modallal as its first female spokesperson in November. She told the Guardian newspaper that she is not a member of Hamas or any political party.

At the start of the conflict, Hamas had just one woman, Jamila al-Shanti, 68, serving as part of the organization’s 15-member political bureau. Al-Shanti, who was also a founder of Hamas’s women’s movement, died in an Israeli airstrike on Oct. 19.

“You can hear amazing rhetoric and lip service, even from the Palestinian leadership,” Dr. Dalal Iriqat, an assistant professor at the Arab American University in the West Bank, told Foreign Policy. “But when it comes to practice, I always find a scarcity of women in decision-making.”

Women’s organizations in the Palestinian territories and in Israel have a rich history of political engagement, however. Palestinian women created social structures such as health clinics and orphanages for displaced Palestinians following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, with traditional political structures in tatters and both Gaza and the West Bank under Israeli occupation, women of every social class stepped up.

It was through the networks they formed that a new cadre of women activists emerged as a force in December 1987, when Palestinian frustration with Israeli rule broke out in a popular uprising that became known as the First Intifada, or “shaking off.” Underlying this largely nonviolent Palestinian struggle was a collective social, economic, and political mobilization led by women.

Palestinian political leadership acknowledged women’s centrality in the Intifada, which paved the way for negotiations with Israel when it included three women—Suad Amiry, Zahiria Kamal, and Hanan Ashrawi—as part of the delegation that participated in the Middle East peace talks that culminated with the Madrid Conference in October 1991.

Ultimately, though, exiled Palestinian Liberation Organization leaders shunted the Madrid framework to begin secret negotiations with Israel that resulted in the security-focused Oslo Accords and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. Under their leadership, Israeli occupation, and the failures of the Oslo Accords, democratic ideals and women’s rights eroded.

Israel and the United States have discussed a potential role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza after the military operation. The Palestinian Authority has three women ministers, including its minister for women’s affairs, though women still struggle for equal opportunities and freedom from violence.

“Women usually refrain from being [an] activist in politics,” said an activist in the West Bank who withheld her name for security reasons. “Women are frightened to be involved in political activities, because they will be put in jail or be subjected to any kind of violence.” And the conditions are much worse for women when funding is restricted, as well as under Hamas, she said.

Serena Awad, a Gazan nonprofit worker who is now living in Rafah, told Foreign Policy that Gazan women are directing and managing many aspects of the humanitarian response. These women work for the United Nations as well as in health, cultural, child protection, human rights, sports, and legal organizations.

“I have lived through six aggressions, and every time, I wait for my turn to die,” said 24-year-old Awad. “What I want the world to know is that women in Gaza are like any other women—we study, go to work, have our own family, but we suffer.”

Israeli and Palestinian women working as peacebuilders say they need more international support. Women’s organizations are notoriously underfunded in the best of times, with only 0.4 percent of global gender-related funding going directly to women’s rights organizations, according to calculations by the Association for Women’s Rights in Development.

During crises, women’s rights often take a back seat. Women of the Sun’s 2024 budget is approximately $100,000, and Women Wage Peace’s budget is approximately $1 million, according to the organizations’ representatives.

Women’s groups are more likely to be effective during negotiations and during the implementation of recovery programs when they have access to external funding. During the peace process between Sudan and South Sudan, for example, South Sudanese women were highly mobilized as delegates, but some had to pause their involvement so they could go back to earning money.

In addition to funding, democratic countries have a role to play by insisting on women’s participation in negotiations, said M.H. of the Women of the Sun. She and other peacebuilders say that the United States and the United Nations should be more active in promoting women as counterparts, negotiators, and experts.

“By will, things can happen,” M.H. told Foreign Policy “And if the US says it [that women should be involved in negotiations], it can happen.”.

Talks convened by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt to end the conflict between Hamas and Israel are underway. These countries and other regional players—including Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority, have previously created national action plans that recognize the unique impact of war on women and their crucial role in promoting peace, culminating in 107 countries worldwide forming national action plans to empower women.

Still, news coverage reveals little or no evidence of efforts by these countries to promote women’s participation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The U.S. State Department is “working to ensure the expertise of women from civil society and in government is incorporated in any process related to the current conflict in Gaza,” wrote a spokesperson in an email.

If the political will for participation exists, both Israelis and Palestinians have a robust list of women advocates from which to draw for official and nonofficial negotiations and discussions. A diverse list of 12 Israeli and Palestinian women who are qualified to participate in negotiations was provided by the 1325 Project run by members of  Women Lawyers for Social Justice—known in Israel as Itach Ma’aki—to the U.S. Embassy and other embassies and international bodies.

“At least one person will be engaging in Track 2 and 3 efforts, and she was approached through us by an international body,” said 1325 project co-director Netta Loevy, referring to nonofficial negotiations and consultations.

Braudo-Bahat, meanwhile, urged policymakers to involve women in discussions now—not after violence ends. “The day after the war is yesterday … we need to start now,” she said.

Back in Gaza, the water tastes like poison; it’s freezing, and Awad, the 24-year-old nonprofit worker, keeps losing weight. She asked almost a dozen Gazan women leaders what they think should happen to resolve the war and to ensure that women participate in negotiations.

No one could give her an answer. They were busy responding to humanitarian needs, and telecommunication and internet services were out.

“Nothing has changed, but what can we do about it? All we can do is waiting and praying for this to end,” Awad wrote to Foreign Policy through WhatsApp, which only works for her about once every four days.

Iriqat, the Arab American University professor, has one wish: “That someone considers that if women are in charge, and involved, a more strategic agreement could hold.”

[prettyboysdontlookatexplosions]

oh one other thing about reading say nothing is that, ok, so i didn't know shit about the troubles going into it, and, ummm, in general, crazy that they are called that. really does not do justice to how fucked up and traumatizing they were for like entire cities of people. HONESTLY one of the thoughts i had reading it was that it would be good reading for anyone who thinks that america right now is a historically uniquely scary time to be alive, belfast in 1972 was fucking fucked up!!!!!!!! but anyway that's not what i was going to say. what i was going to say is that before this, not knowing anything about the troubles, i sort of thought when people talked about how the one irish hogwarts students has the sole personality trait of blowing stuff up, that was, like, i mean, funny to point out, but i assumed it was along the lines of the goblin antisemitism, which i thought (and still think tbh) is more the result of jkr being dumb and not realizing the provenance of the imagery she's pulling from than anything deliberate or conscious. but....... having read this book.... and now knowing a little bit about the troubles.... and knowing that the good friday agreement which ended them happened literally the year the first HP book came out meaning the peace talks etc would have been happening while she was writing it.......... i am now 100% convinced she did it on purpose as a funny little joke for the grown-ups and that is completely insane. lmao.

[kindnessisweakness2]

Delusional - Part 21

“Jax!” Tara called his name in suprise as he gripped her arm and pulled her into an empty waiting room. Jax’s face was like thunder as he slammed the door shut behind them and pulled the blinds closed. “What fucking game are you playing?” He spat at the terrified doctor. “I Dont know what your talking about-” Tara was cut off by Jax’s hand flying out and catching her around the throat, pushing her against the wall. Fear filled her eyes as she saw a different side of her ex lover. This was the side she never thought she would see. The Angry Jax who used to do anything to protect her and their relationship. She only saw the loving Jax who would treat her like she was the most fragile beautiful thing in the world. She felt his hot breath fan across her face as he leaned close to her. “Fucking with my Wife, will bring you nothing but trouble, Dr Knowles. Now i dont know what you are trying to accomplish but let me be clear. You are the past. Delaney is my future. She is carrying my child. My fucking baby. A Legacy Child, that me and every Son from here to Belfast will die to protect. You and me? We had our time and its done. Now in future, when you see my girl, you turn and walk in the other fucking direction. You dont look at her. You dont breathe near her. Me and my family are out of fucking bounds for you. Do you understand?” Tara gasped against his hold as she watched tears fall from his eyes. Words were lost to her, all she could do was nod in agreement. Jax let her go and stepped back as she dropped to the floor. “This is the last time im going to allow you to fuck with my family.We’re Done Tara.” And with that Jax left her in a heap on the cold hospital floor. Storming from the hospital, Jax headed to his moms house. Knocking the door, Jax couldnt explain the relief he felt when Gemma Answered. “Whats happened baby?” That was all it took. Jax burst into sobbs on his moms front door as she wrapped her arms around him for the first time since he was a teenager. There was only one time she had seen him this bad, and its when that little hussy twisted him up and left. Jax spent the night on his moms sofa filling both her and Clay in on what had happened before falling into a restless sleep.

Delaney winced as she opened her eyes. Crying yourself to sleep really does give you a god awful headache. Sliding from under the warmth of her covers she slipped on Jax’s hoodie and made her way down the hall. She really could Murder a coffee but the recent baby news meant she was stuck to a cup of tea instead. She really did not want to risk a damn thing with this pregnancy. Despite what her and Jax are going through, they needed something good and this baby meant a lot to both of them. Jax would be a great Dad, and thats something that she couldnt deny. She hoped he stuck to his word and she would see him Monday, not in the arms of Dr Knowles. Everything yesterday was so hard. Hearing Tara say that shit hurt like hell. Her stepping away gave Jax the freedom and space to choose who he wanted. And even though it was selfish, she wanted him to choose her. To choose their family. “Wow, you really havent changed a bit.” The voice made Delaney drop her mug of tea. No. Why. How. 

Turning around slowly, Delaney made eye contact with Alex. There he was, in the flesh, sat at her and Jax’s kitchen Table. A sinister grin spread across his face as Delaney spotted the gun in his hand. “Miss me Sweetie?”

[annahlysing]

My 🎵☘️ research project

Hello everyone!

Let's finally talk about my research project: considering popular music as a means of protest (and more?) during the Troubles in Ireland, and how it helped bring attention to this conflict around the world. Since I’m moving to Ireland in two months, I thought it would be interesting to focus on this pivotal period in its national history.

As for my primary sources, I would like to focus on several songs that I believe are perfect to explore this subject:

Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 (of course!)

Zombie by The Cranberries

Give Ireland Back to the Irish by Paul and Linda McCartney (did you know that this song was banned from the BBC when released?)

Street of Sorrow/Birmigham Six by The Pogues

Wasted Life by Stiff Little Fingers

I’ve also started listing articles or studies to support my research, but I haven’t found many on the topic so far (most focus mainly on the historical aspect of the Troubles). As for the period of analysis for my topic, I would like to focus especially on what was produced from the late 1960s until 1998 (Good Friday / Belfast Agreement), but if I come across any interesting songs released later, I might mention them.

I find this topic rich and fascinating as it highlights the role and impact of artists and music in social movements, as well as how it helped popularize Irish artists. I hope my project will excite you, feel free to let me know if you have any sources to recommend...

Good luck to you all with your research!

Annah

[tracy0713]

Myanmar needs to join hands with the international community to draw a new blueprint for national reconciliation and inclusive politics

In Myanmar, a land full of multicultural colors, harmonious coexistence and political inclusiveness among ethnic groups have become the key to national stability and development. Faced with ethnic conflicts and disputes left over from history, the Myanmar government and ethnic groups are working together to explore a more inclusive and harmonious political path, and this process cannot be separated from the wisdom, support and in-depth cooperation of the international community.

Construction of a dialogue platform: The international community can provide a neutral dialogue platform to promote direct exchanges between the Myanmar government and ethnic groups and create conditions for solving historical problems. For example, the United Nations can organize multilateral talks to provide a safe and fair communication environment for both parties. Through international cultural exchange projects, mutual understanding and respect among ethnic groups in Myanmar can be enhanced. For example, UNESCO can initiate an ethnic cultural festival to showcase the unique art, music and traditions of various ethnic groups and promote cultural identity and harmonious coexistence. International political experts can provide professional advice for Myanmar to design an inclusive political framework. Learn from successful international cases of national reconciliation and power sharing, such as the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" model in South Africa or the "Belfast Agreement" in Northern Ireland, to provide reference and guidance for Myanmar in institutional design. International organizations and friendly countries provide technical assistance and financial support to help Myanmar establish an effective ethnic representative system and supervision mechanism to ensure that all ethnic groups have equal participation and voice in political decision-making.

The international community helps Myanmar improve its infrastructure and promote economic development by providing economic assistance and investment cooperation, thereby reducing the economic gap between ethnic groups and creating a material basis for ethnic reconciliation. International non-governmental organizations and educational institutions can provide Myanmar with education and training on ethnic reconciliation and inclusive governance, enhance the dialogue skills and governance capabilities of government officials and ethnic leaders, and lay a solid talent foundation for building an inclusive political framework.

The construction of Myanmar's national reconciliation and inclusive political framework is a long and arduous journey. The support and cooperation of the international community is not only a strong impetus to Myanmar's peace process, but also a vivid embodiment of the spirit of global multilateralism and international cooperation. Through joint efforts, Myanmar's future will be brighter, and harmonious coexistence and political inclusiveness among ethnic groups will become a model for the joint efforts of the international community.

[raenegade-accio]

Birthday: February 28th ♓

Height: 165cm [5'5ft]

Wand: Laurel wood with a unicorn hair, 13 ¼ inches and slightly springy flexibility

Favourite beast(s): Hippogriffs, Kneazles, Mooncalves & Thestrals

Amortentia scent: air after a rainstorm, cinnamon and maple wood

Favoured extra-curriculars: Apparition, Magical Theory, Alchemy, Music & Art

Distinguishing features: a pale birthmark on her left eye iris, unkempt hair strands, fingerless gloves, small freckles across the bridge of her nose.

Has a knack for: languages, defensive magic, playing the violin, rescue and breeding or handling of magical creatures and all animals, potion-making & baking (?)

Animagus form (if she becomes one): Clouded Leopard 🐆

Quidditch position: If Black hadn't cancelled it, she’d have loved to tryout for Chaser

Boggart(s): wildfires, or specifically, a man burning half to death (one which she unfortunately ran into once as a child)

Riddikulus: transformed into a heap of rubber ducks, collectively quacking as they hit the floor

Friends: Natsai Onai, Poppy Sweeting, Highwing, Imelda Reyes (GF ♥️), Amit Thakkar, Deek, Samantha Dale, Leander Prewett, Everett Clopton, Ominis Gaunt and Anne Sallow

⚘ Background

Wren comes from a small modest family in Dublin and was born to non-magical immigrant parents from East Asia, their families a long line of revered scholars and musicians. One day, her family decided to migrate to Belfast, in hopes of passing on their literary and artistic knowledge to their friends and colleagues, in an otherwise industrial city. Wren has had an idyllic childhood in Northern Ireland; nurtured and filled with great kindness, albeit she’s still conflicted by how little she knows about her own parents' heritage and upbringing since they do everything they can to remain ambiguous regarding this matter.

Wren and her parents encountered misfortune when large numbers of riots began breaking out in the city one summer in 1886, mere months before she could finish primary school. Tension reached a peak when arsons were taking place near their residence, and many of their friends had perished in the blaze. Belfast was deemed no longer safe for Wren. Her parents then made the abrupt decision of having their daughter attend a faraway boarding school in Brighton instead, with hopes Wren will be much safer there. Unfortunately the years that followed Wren spent friendless and isolated; there was harsh discipline and little learning.

To say Wren’s Hogwarts acceptance letter came as a shock is an understatement, when an exuberant Professor Fig arrived on their doorstep one stormy evening. In spite of witnessing signs of magic weeks prior, Mr and Mrs Zhang, albeit polite enough, were less than eager at an overflow of new knowledge regarding an alleged existence of a Wizarding World; each word coming from the strange man sounded more unorthodox than the last. Ultimately a proper demonstration of Wingardium Leviosa and Reparo, as well as the promise of a thorough and more importantly, safe, educational environment, were enough to sway their resolve. They finally came to an agreement in which Wren will decide if she is ready to be registered for Hogwarts, if Professor Fig is to tutor her everything there is to know about rudimentary magic for the remaining summer holidays under their supervision.

⚘ Personality

At first glance, one wouldn’t think Wren is able to thrive as well as she does in Ravenclaw of all houses, given she’s a bit of a klutz and seemingly not a fast learner, but she’s proven to be in fact quick-witted and intuitive; she sees no benefit in rushing her schoolwork therefore would rather take her time making sure the tasks are done properly. That’s not to say she won’t be quick to rise to new challenges, especially practical ones, and will excel almost immediately as long as there are demonstrations.

Those Wren is close with would know her as fun-loving and a sensitive soul, but isn’t above some good back and forth cutting banter or even initiating a heated duel when warranted. Despite giving the impression of an idle dreamer, Wren moves through life with a clear sense of values. At times, however, she may focus so intently on the tasks at hand - whether it’s burning the midnight oil to finish extra assignments or straining to stay awake rescuing Mooncalves - that she often forgets to take adequate care of herself, driving herself to absolute burnout before she can reach her goals.

While not particularly reserved or withdrawn, the schooling years Wren’s endured in Brighton made her wary of most adults, slow to trust her classmates and unfamiliar with the simple concept of reaching out. Nothing makes her blood curdle more than the thought of inserting herself in situations where she’s not wanted. All the more reason why she considers herself extremely fortunate with the social circle she has now. That isn’t to say she’s prone to self isolation. Naturally she’s perfectly content engaging in meaningful conversations with just about anyone if they make the first move. If able, she’s always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it’s a first year struggling schoolwork or an errand a broom ride away.

Nothing makes her happy quite like helping others, men or beasts. She doesn’t care if the given tasks are tedious or gargantuan, Wren is simply happy knowing there are folks who trust her to be patient, thorough and get certain things done. Yet despite her compassionate nature, Wren isn't one to believe in second chances. If she feels betrayed, deceived or belittled, she becomes uncharacteristically cold-hearted and unforgiving; while it isn't impossible to earn back her trust, she'll never forget. Wren is always actively looking for a sense of security and stability. She is committed to the relationships with her friends and loved ones but will not hesitate to cut ties if she feels like she can no longer trust a person.

⚘ Other trivia

She’s the only member in her family with freckles; they’re not as sun-kissed as those of her classmates, and in truth very faint, hardly visible especially during the winter. Amit nevertheless noticed them fairly quickly and mentioned they remind him of the constellations he’d come across when he’s out studying in the Astronomy Tower, till this day she still isn’t quite sure what to say to that.

She gets asked about her (Northern Irish) accent all the time, but has learned to make a game out of it though - every time someone asks about it, she changes her answer.

Wren actively wants to become an Animagus, but in spite of the extensive research and preparations made beforehand, she is unsuccessful at every attempt, having to repeatedly start over each time she accidentally swallows her Mandrake leaf.

She’d never admit this out loud but she really gets a kick out of other students’ Howlers, surprised just how informative the screechings of enraged parents prove to be and can only imagine amusedly the amount of Howlers she’d receive if her parents know of just a fraction of her misadventures.

Before her longtime burgeoning and pent up attraction for Imelda, Wren took pride of her immunity to Sebastian Sallow's charming magnetism, unlike many of the others. However she had a massive crush on Garreth, Amit and even Professor Garlick. Afterwards, Wren was deeply infatuated with Poppy in her sixth year for a long time.

Wren is particularly passionate about animals, even before she was showing signs of magic. After learning to wield her newfound abilities (including Ancient Magic), she finds herself slowly able to empathise and even communicate with almost any beast or creature - though it often leads to instances where a trail of critters follow her into school grounds while on an errand in Hogsmeade or walking in between classes.

It's not a common practice, as far as she knows, but she enjoys decorating her broom, adorning it with clever trinkets and mementos, such as Moondews, a pendant given by her Ma and the phoenix feather from Deek.

Wren unfortunately struggles with her severe pyrophobia, that stems from her early childhood on account of the numbers of fireburnings and arsons she witnessed from the tumultuous political climate at the time. She's learned to tolerate minor things such as smoke or slight scorchings, but still has to keep a distance from most fireplaces, refrain from using certain spells to do with fire.

She’s a huge foodie, simple as that. She finds snacking as enjoyable a pastime as a jaunt in Hogsmeade. If she’s lounging in the common room, you’ll likely see her munching on an apple. When waiting for classes to start, she’d be having pumpkin pasties in the corridor. One morning she's even spotted aloft on her broom, not flying, just nibbling on a cauldron cake midair while overlooking the Highlands.

When offered to learn all three Unforgivables, she's repulsed by how very tempted she is. Now knowing how to cast them, she dreads finding out if she's truly capable of using them. She tells herself she learned simply out of deep appreciation and respect for all forms of magic, but part of her, out of morbid curiosity, wonders what it'd feel like to be proficient with the Dark Arts.

Wren is ambivalent, at best, towards her connection to Ancient Magic. The notion of wielding one of the most formidable and arcane forms of magic should sound enticing… There were nights she spent wishing someone else could worry about Ranrok, Rookwood, those damned repositories and their ridiculous trials in her stead, that Ranrok and his loyalists would just go home, the poachers could jump off a cliff. She finds the Keepers priggish and infuriating. What she wouldn’t give to seal away the Map Chamber and never have to look into the jeering gazes of those towering portraits again.

⚘ Career & Aspirations

Healer - trained and became a Healer via the work experience programmes at St. Mungo's after her 7th year

Curse Breaker - applied months post graduation via multiple remedial exams on one of her worst subjects: Ancient Runes

⚘ Likes

Sunrises, sketching, Highwing, Pumpkin Pasties, speeding across the Black Lake on her broom, Cauldron Cakes, playing her violin, Butterbeer, kissing her girlfriend pestering Imelda Reyes, and the bird's-eye view when soaring above Hogwarts on her broom - she also has a nasty habit of launching herself off the highest cliff or the tallest tower when summoning her broom.

⚘ Dislikes

Spiders, raw eggs, people randomly petting her hair (happens more than most think), “Puffskein Dunkein” and trolls, though nothing gets to her quite like being micromanaged - the more overbearing the person is, the more likely she'd do the complete opposite of what's expected of her, wholly out of petty spite

- - - - - - - - RP friends:

Nosy the Niffler (@kiwiplaetzchen),

Hellendil Melinae (@theravenchild),

William Abbott and Elland de Strontium (@ask-elland-n-will),

Sienna Lee (@ask-sienna),

Allegra Fenwick and Clementine the Golden Retriever (@adallegra),

Theodora Devlin (@theodoradevlin),

Andrew Montrose (@ask-andrew-montrose),

Demetrius Haggarty (@demetrius-haggarty),

Felix Åberg (@ask-felix-aberg)

[beardedmrbean]

A legal win has cleared the way for discount supermarket Lidl to open its first pub inside one of its stores after the High Court rejected a challenge to the proposal.

An appeal against the retailer's temporary permit to operate a bar within its Dundonald, County Down, store was launched by the owner of several off-licences in Northern Ireland, but the legal bid was denied by a judge.

Philip Russell Ltd filed the appeal, claiming Lidl had not demonstrated that there were insufficiently licensed establishments close to the location.

Lidl obtained planning approval in 2020 to build a tap room on their Dundonald site, which is located just outside of Belfast.

The suggested plan called for investing £410,000 in a new in-store pub and an off-sales section, as well as coming to an agreement with the owners of a nearby bar to give up that licence.

No new alcohol-selling licenses can be issued in Northern Ireland until an existing one is surrendered, according to licensing regulations.

After being turned down for an off-licence at the shop several years earlier, Lidl has stated that should the fresh application be accepted, it was committed to operating a bar.

Philip Russell Ltd argued that Lidl had failed to show there were "inadequate licenced premises" near the site as required under the Licencing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

It was also alleged to be an impermissible attempt to circumvent the legislation by effectively making another application for an off-licence.

Ruling on the dispute, Mr Justice Colton determined that Lidl had established the necessary inadequacy.

He pointed out that if the application is successful, there will be only one licensed premises in a vicinity where two pubs previously operated.

The planned new location would be in the middle of a neighbourhood with well-established retail and transportation options as well as a growing adult population.

"It may well be that it will not meet the full demand for licenced premises within the vicinity given its size and lack of food provision," the judge said.

"That however does not mean that (Lidl) fails to establish inadequacy."

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice Colton held that Lidl had made a bona fide application to operate the premises as a public on/off-licence.

"It will invest a significant sum of money, at least £410,000 into fitting out the public house," he said.

"I accept that it has concluded that the public house will be profitable, knowing that if it closed through lack of profitability an evitable consequence would be that the off-licence permission would lapse following any such decision.

"I am satisfied that it meets the statutory requirements and there is no good reason for refusing the application."

[19751011]

April 2023 | Bill and Hillary Clinton in Belfast, marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1974 – Three car bombs in Dublin and a fourth in Monaghan exploded without warning, injuring almost 300 people and killing 34, the greatest loss of life on a single day during the Troubles.

On the morning of 17 May 1974, four cars are stolen in Belfast. That evening, they would explode without warning in Dublin and Monaghan resulting in the deaths of 34 civilians and injuries to more than 300. The bombings were the worst single atrocity in Ireland during the “Troubles.” The bombings were a Loyalist reaction to the Sunningdale Agreement and attempts to introduce power sharing between…

[seachranaidhe]

Why the UK should not leave the ECHR - 1828 - Championing Freedom

Why the UK should not leave the ECHR LEE MARSONS FEBRUARY 23, 2023 According to reports this month, the Prime Minister would contemplate withdrawing the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if the government’s policies on small boats are found to violate the ECHR. This would be the wrong decision.  The ECHR is an international treaty – separate from the European Union –…

[saywhatjessie]

Ted Lasso Big Bang 2023:

Wedding, Football, an other Team Activities by JessJesstheBest, art by @benjaminrussell

“What the fuck is up with you all?” Roy asked. No one answered, everyone looking imploringly at Colin. Isaac grunted. “Reckon you should just tell him, bruv. He could probably help.” Roy lifted his other eyebrow now. What the fuck?” Colin sighed but looked up at Roy with a smile he couldn’t seem to hide. “I’m gonna ask Michael to marry me.” Or a bunch of football himbos do a big gay wedding and Roy is doing the best he can

“No no no, try me. I’ve got excellent hands.”

“But it don’t need to fit your hands, does it?”

“Well try me anyway! We’re like the same height, yeah? So it should be close.”

Patches of this conversation had been floating into the office for ten minutes now but Roy wasn’t letting himself get distracted. He was trying to focus on reading the scouting reports which never got less boring or easier to read no matter how long he’d been gaffer.  

“No… Jamie, your hands are too big.”

“Here, try me.”

“This really shouldn’t be this hard.”

Roy sighed, rubbing a hand over his eyes., “When do I need to have this done?” he asked Beard.

“End of day tomorrow,” Beard told him, not looking up from his book.

“Right, then fuck it.” He pushed himself to his feet, leaving the reports on his desk and marching out to the dressing room. “Oi! Why aren’t you lot getting dressed?”

A bunch of half-naked footballers turned wide eyes on Roy, stepping back from where they were all clustered around Colin. Colin was at least dressed in his full kit but he was holding hands with Bumbercatch for some reason.

Roy lifted an eyebrow at the scene, leaving the silence for someone to say something.

“Sorry, Coach,” Zorro broke first. “Colin’s gonna–”

He got interrupted by several people shushing him, Richard going as far to jump on his back and put a hand over his mouth.

“... Okay,” Roy grunted, turning to Colin. “Hughes?”

Colin cleared his throat, letting go of Bumbercatch and shaking out his hand. “Yeah, Coach, sorry to pull focus.”

Roy hummed, looking around at all his players. Some looked wary, like they didn’t want to get barked at, but most looked excited. Jamie and Sam were giggling together and Dani had clearly been crying, tears shining on his smiling face.

“What the fuck is up with you all?” Roy asked.

No one answered, everyone looking imploringly at Colin.

Isaac grunted. “Reckon you should just tell him, bruv. He could probably help.”

Roy lifted his other eyebrow now. What the fuck?

Colin sighed but looked up at Roy with a smile he couldn’t seem to hide. “I’m gonna ask Michael to marry me.”

Excited tittering went up around them from the players again and Roy couldn’t even blame them. He smiled at Colin, stepping forward to put a hand on his shoulder.

“Cheers, mate. Congratulations.”

Colin beamed. “Thanks! It’s really scary but also very exciting. I’m trying to figure out how to buy a ring except Michael doesn’t wear rings so I have no idea what size to get him. I’ve held hands with him enough, though, that I know how his hands feel so the lads were helping me figure out whose hand is closest and then we’ll take his ring size.”

Roy frowned, grunting. “Pretty fucking smart, actually.”

“It was my idea!” called Matthew Lynch, one of their newer transfers from Belfast. He’d integrated very quickly into the Richmond atmosphere – always smiling and supportive and hanging on whichever of his new teammates was nearest. Today it was Winchester, his dark complexion contrasting with Lynch’s pale Irish skin and blond curly hair.

“Si,” Dani sniffed. “But no one’s hand is right sized,” he said mournfully.

“‘S like Cinderella,” Isaac said, nodding seriously. Everyone muttered in agreement.

“Right,” Roy grunted. “Well we do still have training to get to so–”

“Hang on, Coach,” Jamie interrupted. “Can you try?”

“Ooh, yes!” Sam agreed, grinning. “We did not think of asking the coaches.”

“Nate’s hands are definitely too small,” Roy commented, brows furrowed. “And Beard’s got those wide American hands.”

“So that just leaves you, boyo!” Colin said, reaching his hand out and wiggling his fingers. “Please?”

The rest of the team chimed in with “Come on, Coach!” And “Do it for love!” So Roy just sighed and rolled his eyes, reaching out to take Colin’s hand in his.

Colin frowned, humming, and asked Roy to switch to his left hand.

“It’s the left hand that wears the ring,” he said, like he hadn’t offered Roy the wrong hand to begin with.

They shuffled around, Roy coming to his side and going through the motions so Colin could decide if his hand felt like Michael’s.

Roy should have put a stop to it but he did headbutt Colin that one time so this was probably the least he could do.

Only, Colin suddenly lit up and crowed to the dressing room that Roy’s hand was perfect.

Everyone cheered and Dani picked Roy up and spun him around. Roy grunted a laugh, allowing Dani to spin him, until he was back on the ground and Colin was gripping his shoulders.

“What size ring do you wear?” Colin asked, urgently.

Roy snorted. “Why the fuck would I know that?” 

Everyone groaned.

“Well then what was the point of all this?” Jan Maas asked.

“No way we’ll find someone with hands as perfect as Roy’s.” Zorro lamented.

“Romance is dead!” Richard cried.

“Colin could just take Coach to the ring shop,” Jamie said.

Everyone turned to look at him.

“Fuck no!” Roy barked,

“Coach, please!” Colin asked him, taking his hand and holding it. “I need this hand. I need it so I can take Michael’s hand. In marriage!”

“Come on, mate,” Jamie grinned, draping himself on Colin’s shoulder. “You gotta. Not helpin’ would be homophoto.”

“Homophobic,” Roy corrected, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, that!” Jamie grinned. “Do you hate Colin because he’s gay, Roy?”

On any other team or in fact on this team but a few years earlier, that question could have been totally earnest. On other teams, the answer to that question might even be yes.

But at Richmond, everyone laughed because what a silly question.

“Cheeky shit,” Roy said and Jamie just grinned wider. “Fine. After training. But only if you lot are on your best fucking behaviour!”

“Yes, Coach!” They all chorused. and everyone was tittering happily as they finished getting changed.

Roy turned back to Colin, still wearing Jamie like a jacket,. both grinning at him.

“Fuck off,” he told them. “And I’m driving.”

“Yes, Coach. Thank you Coach.” Colin nodded and Roy nodded back. He could hear Colin and Jamie giggling as he turned and walked back into the office.

“Congratulations, Cinderella,” Beard told him, feet kicked up and grinning smugly.

“You fuck off, too,” Roy sighed. “I’m never gonna finish these goddamn reports.”

“I’ll do it,” Beard shrugged. “I’ll let you go this time. Anything for love.”

Read the rest on Ao3

[jordanianroyals]

2 October 2023: Queen Rania urged young leaders to make the most of their time to further the cause of peace, a “lifelong mission” that requires “not only every ounce of our strength, but every ounce of our time.”

She made her remarks in the United Kingdom, while speaking to a gathering of over 2,000  youth activists and leaders at the One Young World Summit in Northern Ireland’s city of Belfast. This year’s summit commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement between the British and Irish governments, which was signed in Belfast. (Source: Petra)

Thinking back to the year 1998, Her Majesty recalled how the signing of this agreement inspired His Majesty the late King Hussein to remain hopeful about achieving peace in the Middle East. She also highlighted King Hussein’s role in the Wye River negotiations, which took place that same year, as he was battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.

She argued that, despite his poor health, he insisted on traveling to the United States to push for the signing of a memorandum between Palestinians and Israelis that aimed to resume the implementation of the Oslo II Accord.

“He saw our time on earth for what it is: finite, fragile, and never to be taken for granted,” Queen Rania said. She also relayed the late King’s words at the agreement’s signing, where he said, “If I had an ounce of strength, I would have done my utmost to be here, and to help in any way I can.”

“Cancer reminded King Hussein once again of how limited time can be. And once again, he chose to live in the fullness of that time…to give meaning to every moment he had so that future generations could live in peace,” she said.

Her Majesty explained that despite time’s limited nature, “hope can endure the test of time,” and people can expand the time we have “by using it well.”

The Queen also emphasized the urgency of the world’s biggest challenges, from polarization in politics to growing refugee crises, climate change, and ongoing discrimination and gender inequality.

“At a time when we’re talking about advanced technologies like AI, it is preposterous that many still fall back on the primitive thinking that the color of one’s complexion determines their worth. And it’s shameful that gender equality is still a goal, not a reality,” she said.

Noting that, 25 years after the Wye River Memorandum, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains a prominent example of an overlooked emergency in need of peaceful resolution, Her Majesty called attention to the injustice and brutality that Palestinians are subjected to on a daily basis.

“Already in 2023, more Palestinians have died at the hands of Israelis than in any of the past 15 years. And every second of every minute of every day, millions of Palestinians are being robbed of their freedom, their rights…their very identity,” she stated. “Palestinian families are being uprooted from their land. Worshippers at Al Aqsa are attacked and brutalized, while 12-year olds are jailed just for throwing stones.”

Her Majesty therefore urged leaders to exert every effort in achieving lasting peace and progress, recommending that they join His Majesty King Abdullah, who, despite headwinds, “continues to walk the hard, and often lonely, path of peace.”

“It is time we populate that path,” she said, asking leaders everywhere to “snap out of complacency and put in the hard work that lasting peace requires—in the Middle East and elsewhere.” 

Queen Rania also underscored the need to remain committed to hope  in order to resolve pressing issues, explaining that despite having reason for cynicism, hope remains “a choice  – a decision we make, irrespective of the circumstances.”

Referring once again to the Good Friday Agreement, Her Majesty noted that after its signing, it took nine more years of negotiations for the terms of the agreement to come into fruition. She also cited the years-long efforts of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which provided restorative justice following the end of apartheid.

“Miracles don’t happen overnight. Complex problems defy hasty fixes,” Queen Rania said. “You cannot secure peace with the stroke of a pen any more than heal a bullet with a Band-Aid. The truth is, we have to take our time in order to use it well.”

Noting the difference in approach among many modern politicians, Her Majesty said, “Today, many political leaders cater to the now; they care more about the next election cycle than the next generation. And many seem more inclined to break treaties than broker them.”

The Queen also pointed out that it is ironic that those most affected by conflict are often excluded from conversations about long-lasting reconciliation, “even though they have the greatest motivation to find the creative compromises that genuine peace demands.”

One Young World is a global platform that identifies, connects, and promotes young leaders from around the world, hosting an annual summit that convenes in a different city each year. Considered one of the world’s largest youth leadership summits, this year it takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from 2-5 October.

Summit participants, who are working to accelerate social impact, include a number of young leaders from over 190 countries and more than 250 organizations. The participants are invited to deliver speeches and participate in workshops, and networking opportunities, as well as receive counselling by influential figures attending the summit. In previous years, counselors included U.S. President Bill Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the late South African human rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

[riastarthe]

ahdjflgg the new IRA planned a bombing for biden's visit to belfast last year for the anniversary of the good friday agreement... but were found out... and then 3 short months later were added to the Foreign Terrorist Organisations list

[annahlysing]

The last post, but not the least

Hello everyone! For this final post, I wanted to give you an update on my methodological approach before justifying my time frame.

First of all, you’ve probably noticed that I’m using different types of sources (songs, texts, audiovisual material...); I think this is crucial given the nature of my topic! These sources combine elements of music and history to best understand the impact of music on the perception of the Northern Ireland conflict and its role as a form of protest. I firmly believe that the idea of "perception" of the conflict through music cannot be fully explored without cross-referencing these sources.

Based on this, I’ve thought about developing a thematic/analytical outline; I think it’s the most appropriate approach for addressing the topic. Moreover, I intend to critically assess and distance myself from certain pieces of information (particularly the article on JSTOR and the documentary). Well, that’s all for my digression on methodology!

Regarding the time frame, I thought it would be more relevant to focus only on songs produced during The Troubles. Even though my secondary sources are from after the period, narrowing my scope to the years from the late 1960s to 1998 seemed the best way to handle a subject that could easily become too vast. I chose to end the study's scope at 1998 because it marks the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, and I wanted to highlight this key date while restricting my work to songs of the conflict, not those written afterward.

______________________________________________________________

Thank you very much for reading my posts over the past weeks, and for all your comments, ideas, and reactions. I was a bit skeptical about blogging at first, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I'm actually even a bit sad that it's coming to an end...!

As a farewell gift, I’d like to introduce you to the British punk-rock band Boston Manor. They're not very well-known, but they definitely should be! (Well, I don’t listen only to Irish music ;)

Take care,

Annah