Podcast appearances and mentions of Gerry Kelly

On today's show with Gerry Kelly, the Dip in the Nip crew explained what it's all about, a preview in sport with David Sheehan, Wordfoolery and a campaign to highlight the value of veterinary nurses and much more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 The Re-Conquest of IrelandWell done Mayo in the all-Ireland football final. Commiserations to Kerry. Both teams played their hearts out but in the end Mayo were worthy winners.Next month on August 30 I will be in Ballina, Mayo for the 45th anniversary of the 10 hunger strikers who died during the 1981 hunger strike. The event will also remember the three Mayo Hunger Strikers, Jack McNeela (1940), Michael Gaughan (1974) and Frank Stagg, (1976). 22 Republican prisoners died on hunger strike in the 20th century. Gerry KellyMy friend and comrade Gerry Kelly has announced his decision not to stand in the Assembly election next May. That does not mean that he will no longer be a republican activist. No chance of that. As I found out when I stepped back from electoral politics there is still a lot to do. And I am certain Gerry Kelly will also find that to be true.Gerry's commitment to ending the union with Britain and building a new Ireland, based on equality and respect is well known. As is his courage and determination in the face of enormous challenges. He spent 15 years in prisons in Ireland, Britain and Europe and was 205 days on hunger strike. For 167 of those days he was force fed by having a tube inserted into his nose – “like a red-hot needle being pushed into one's head”, he later wrote – and a wooden clamp jammed between his teeth to hold his jaws open while a feeding tube was fed down his throat.He was in solitary confinement in Mountjoy, Brixton, Wormwood Scrubs, Long Lartin, Maastricht, Amsterdam, the H-Blocks and Crumlin Road prisons. He attempted to escape several times and succeeded in the Great Escape from the H-Blocks of 1983 with 37 comrades.I have many fond memories of working with and socialising with Gerry, including on one occasion when he and I drove over to Lissadell House in County Sligo, childhood home of Countess Markievicz, to listen to Leonard Cohen sing. It was a beautiful summer evening in 2010. Leonard had an affection for Ireland and occasionally he sang “Kevin Barry”.Gerry is a wonderful dancer. In Lissadell Leonard started his set and after a time Gerry found a spot near the beer tent, where he was soon moved to go into the dancing repertoire he'd developed in solitary, listening to the music in his head. A crowd gathered around him. “Dance me to the end of love,” sang Leonard. “Dance me through the panic ‘til I'm gathered safely in.” Gerry moved more deeply into synchronicity with the song, fluid, absorbed, committed, his whole body in it in an expression of melodic wonderment. From the stage Leonard stopped mid-verse to salute him. I basked in the reflected glory of Gerry's rhythmic perambulations. ‘I'm your man,' I told him.As an elected official and negotiator Gerry has been a formidable representative for Sinn Fein and for the people of North Belfast. In the early 1990's he and Martin McGuinness engaged in secret talks with the British. He was one of our negotiating team for the Good Friday Agreement and in many subsequent negotiations, most frequently on policing.Gerry is a very fine writer. I have an Australian friend who frequently tells me that Gerry's book – The Escape: The Inside Story of the 1983 Escape from Long Kesh Prison – is the best book he's read on the struggle. Gerry has also written a memoir and two books of poems. So well done Gerry. You won't get away that easy – but you know that!!! Go luck to you and Margaret and all your clann. No Place for Armed GroupsLast week an explosive device was discovered in a car in County Monaghan, apparently on its way North. Whoever was responsible for this irresponsible action is actively working against the significant opportunity that now exists to end partition.Public and political support for Irish unity is stronger now than at any time since partition was imposed over a century ago. The conversation on unity crosses all political and community sectors. Apart from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin there is a growing consensus among the broad nationalist/left parties across the island that Irish Unity is a winnable objective and offers the best prospect for a better future for all of the people of our island. 

In this archive interview Stephen talks to Gerry about his long career in television

'He never acted like a star, though he was one - he treated you like one - he was also a genius broadcaster' - Mike Nesbitt and Adrian Logan, former colleagues of Gerry Kelly paid tribute to the legendary broadcaster who died aged 77 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Save Rockathon' - an emotional Kellie McGuane talks to Gerry Kelly after losing €140,000 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's Lite Lunch show, Gerry Kelly talked to two stalwart GAA fans ahead of the Louth clash against Mayo this weekend, fertility expert Helena Tubridy on her new book, an appeal after a Meath resident lost over €100k and much more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stalwart Louth GAA fans Noel McDormack and Fintan McCarthy chat memories and hopes with Gerry Kelly on Lite Lunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Errol Sweeney chats to Gerry Kelly on his thoughts about this World Cup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's show with Gerry Kelly, we chatted about keeping your phone safe, how our homes are over-heating the gardener who is sending 50,000 ladybirds out a week to help curtain pests and much, much more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Quearney, aka Mr Middleton talks to Gerry Kelly on Lite Lunch about sending out tens of thousands of ladybirds to gardeners each week to help control garden pests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's show with Gerry Kelly, we talked nuclear energy, a novel stage play, misogyny and youth and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Lite Lunch today with Gerry Kelly, David Sheehan looked ahead to sport, Dunboyne singer Leah Barniville on her new show, can you help one Louth lady with tickets and are you part of the circular economy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Unity Bill passes its First stageThe “Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026”, which I referenced in last week's column, has passed its first hurdle in the Dáil. It will now go to second stage on 7 July and then on to the Committee stage before returning to the Dáil later in the year.The Bill sets clear goals and timetables for measures that have to be taken to properly plan and prepare for constitutional change on the island of Ireland. It does so in accordance with the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.It requires the Taoiseach to prepare and publish a Green Paper within 12 months. This has to address issues as diverse as public finance, taxation, public services, human rights, governance arrangements and relations between Britain and Ireland. The Bill also obliges the Government to establish a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity within six months of the publication of the Green Paper. Convened and funded by the Department of An Taoiseach, this will bring together representatives of the people of Ireland from all communities and citizens who have a stake in the future.Clodagh GoodLast Saturday I joined hundreds of people in Knock Methodist Church for a celebration of the life of Clodagh Good. The Church was filled to overflowing with political representatives from over the last four decades or so, of all political hues including Gerry Kelly, Jim Gibney and Richard McAuley. It was a beautiful, uplifting and inclusive event. As was befitting the woman we came to honour. Clodagh Good, nee Coad, is the wife of Harold Good. Harold was a key figure in our peace process. He did extraordinary work, not least with Fr Alex Reid.  He was one of those from what is usually described as the Protestant tradition who went beyond the rhetoric and into the essence of that tradition to explore how it could be a catalyst for positive change. A catalyst for good.  The Methodists are like that. Especially Clodagh. She was from Waterford. As Irish as the day is long. With strong yet gentle religious beliefs which anchored her life. A woman of good humour with an unassuming practical good natured welcoming attitude to those of us lucky to enjoy her hospitality. She and Harold married sixty years ago. She left the tranquillity of Waterford to journey with him throughout Methodist institutions far and wide before making her home in the North.The Arts in a New IrelandThe Sean O'Casey Community Centre is in East Wall, Dublin. It is an excellent local facility providing a range of amenities for the community, including a playschool and crèche, a sports hall and 7 a-side pitch, and facilities for senior citizens. It also has a wonderful theatre. Last Thursday Sinn Féin's Commission on the Future of Ireland held a well-attended public discussion there on ‘The Arts in a New Ireland'. About 70 people participated in a thoughtful, informative and enjoyable conversation.Aengus O'Snodaigh TD welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about the many advantages and opportunities for the Arts community that Irish unity can bringSlánFinally, Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday. His support for Israel in its military actions against the people of Palestine and the Labour government's disgraceful criminalising of those opposing the genocide, undoubtedly played a significant part in undermining his leadership. Along with the electoral successes of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party there is a changing political dynamic emerging within the British political system. It is an opportunity for those of us who believe in Irish Unity to grasp this moment. Keir Starmer did nothing for Ireland. His successor may not do any better. That is why, relying on our own strength, we must press on. Until we prevail and our people, all of us, decide our own future. 

The legendary Eastenders and Gavin & Stacey actor, who has so many other strings to his bow, is looking forward to being part of the Hinterland Festival in Kells this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Kelly popped along to Narrow West Street in Drogheda to say hello to the Hurley Brothers John and Francis who have held the fort there for 40 years! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sixteen years ago when he and his story was just coming to prominence in Ireland, Tomi Reichental paid a visit to LMFM and Gerry Kelly's Late Lunch Show, where he recounted memories of his childhood, growing up and surviving Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a gathering of Cork artists is coming together on May 9th to celebrate the life of Joe Corbett, the wonderful Cork Baritone who sadly died last year. His loss is deeply felt, and the concert on May 9th brings musicians and performers home to Cork to honour his memory. Gerry Kelly and Patricia Rooney came into studio to urge Corkonians to spread the word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American Trade Unions and IrelandLast Friday I spent an enjoyable couple of hours in the company of my good friend American Trade Union leader John Samuelson and the staff of Áras Uí Chonghaile and Fáilte Feirste Thiar – the west Belfast Tourist Board. Unbeknownst to John both organisations had agreed to name one of the Áras rooms after himself and a former Transport Workers Union, (TWU) President Mike Quill. Keeping the Faith for UnityThis Easter the Good Friday Agreement is 28 years old. It only seems like yesterday that we were all gathered in Castle Buildings wondering if David Trimble was going to take the leap. He hadn't spoken to Sinn Féin at any time during the negotiations – except on one occasion when I said hello to him in the toilet and he told me to grow up. But on Friday 10 April 1998 he signed up to the Agreement.It was a defining moment in our recent history. It was a compromise between conflicting political positions. For the first time since partition the Agreement brought peace, stability and hope, and the opportunity for a better future for all the people of the island of Ireland. Terry ‘Cruncher O'NeillIt was the profound sadness that I heard on Sunday of the death of my friend and comrade Terry ‘Cruncher' O'Neill. Cruncher was an incomparable singer of Irish songs of resistance. Type his name into google and you Will discover videos and audio recordings of Cruncher singing. My memory is full of occasions when he enthralled an audience. There is a great Frankie Quinn photo of himself, Joe Cahill, me and Gerry Kelly singing ‘Something Inside So Strong' at the tops of our voices outside the old Sevastopol Street office. Cleaky is in the foreground looking after us. Gabriel Rosenstock. As we go to press I am also sorry to hear of the death of Gabriel Rosenstock, poet, play wright, haikuist and writer. Gabriel was one of the leading lights of Irish language literature. He was the author and translator of more than 180 books and publisher of over 400. 

Following his death yesterday, we return to January 29th 2019, the day Ronnie Delany joined Gerry Kelly on Late Lunch for a wide-ranging interview about his life and times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Remembering Frank StaggLast week marked 50 years of the death of Frank Stagg on hunger strike in Wakefield Prison, in England.  Events, including a black flag vigil and a march and rally were organised to remember the Mayo man. Gerry Kelly who was on hunger strike in England in the 1970s for over 206 days, during which he was force fed 167 times, gave the main oration in Ballina and spoke of Frank's great courage and commitment.I was in Long Kesh when Frank died on 12 February 1976 after 62 days on hunger strike. Britain's intransigence and in particular the obduracy of the then Home Secretary Roy Jenkins, ensured that Frank's fourth hunger strike would result in his death. As we walked around the Cage or sat in our cells the talk from when Frank embarked on his fast, was about his resolve and strength of character as on his own he faced the brutality of a British system determined to break him.Two years earlier we had watched as Frank's friend and comrade Michael Gaughan, another Mayo man, had died on hunger strike. Holy SmokeI used to smoke. I was very addicted to it. I smoked everything that was legal. I smoked a pipe for years. I liked the pipe. There is a certain ritual attached to pipe smoking. Filling your pipe requires special skills. It takes time. And care. Fill it too loosely and it will not last long. Too tightly and it will not burn at all. Most pipe smokers had a number of pipes. But there was always a favourite one. My favourites were invariably Kapp and Petersons. Particularly the bendy ones, favoured by Sherlock Holmes. Kapp and Peterson still have  a shop in Dublin. Kapp and Peterson gets honourable mention in Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot. In Belfast Miss Morans in Church Lane, which is still doing business, was a favoured supplier of pipes and good tobacco.Pipe tobacco is of course a matter of choice and taste. And addiction. I was inclined towards heavier brands like Condor. The I graduated to War Horse, particularly War Horse plug tobacco. The preparation of this type of pipe filler requires a pen knife for cutting off little slices of tobacco. These were then rubbed between your hands until they were reduced to the desired consistency. This added to the ritual. It was probably theraputic. If thats not a contradiction. Ditto  with the smell of pipe smoke. Back in the day pipe smokers were a fixed presence  in pubs and at most social gatherings. Many people, barely visible in the clouds of smoke, would declare how much they liked the smell. The death of Nora ComiskeyIt was with sadness that I heard of the death last week of Nora Comiskey. Many Dublin republicans and some of us from Belfast and other parts knew Nora over many years. She was a former president and long-time activist in the 1916-1921 Club. This was a unique institution founded in the 1940s whose aim was to try and bring together some of those who fought on the pro and anti- Treaty sides in the Civil War. Many did, including Nora who had been in Fianna Fáil. Its founding charter is the 1916 Proclamation and among its objectives are a commitment to honour those who fought for Irish Freedom and who work for its achievement. It also seeks to contribute to the cause of an Ireland — united, independent and sovereign 

As a tribute to Anthony, who passed away on Monday, we return to our Late Lunch Show of January 8th 2014, when Anthony reflected on his life and times in conversation with Gerry Kelly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ziva Cussen joined Gerry Kelly on Late Lunch to talk about her ongoing treatment, following a breast cancer diagnosis. Despite her resolve, bravery, determination and incredible courage, Ziva lost the good fight on Saturday. In Ziva's memory we return to that conversation in early July last year and express our sadness at her loss to her family. May Ziva be at peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 And Flowers Grew up Through the Concrete is Laurence McKeown's second prison memoir. Big Laurny, is a very fine writer. This latest book is an account of his journey through imprisonment, hunger strike, brutality and growing self-awareness. It is beautifully written and unashamedly honest in its emotion.Laurence is one of those gifted republican POWs who spent years – decades in some cases – in British prisons and who have written about their experience. Together they have generated a huge body of prison literature comparable to previous periods in the independence struggle.Among them are Eoghan MacCormaic and Jazz Jim McCann; Pat Magee; Gerry Kelly; Síle Darragh's inspirational account of the women in Armagh - ‘John Lennon Is Dead'; Danny Morrison, Roseleen Walsh; Tony Doherty, Chrissie McAuley, Jim McVeigh; Jake MacSachais, Richard McAuley and others. I apologise to any I have left out - always a danger when you produce a list of any kind.Perhaps the best known of all the prison writers is Bobby Sands whose poems, songs and accounts of life in the H-Blocks and on Hunger Strike still resonate over four decades after his death. Writing on scraps of paper to be smuggled out, Bobby's poetry, prose, political polemic, songs and other writings in Irish and English are now part of the tradition.Laurence's previous books include, with Brian Campbell and Felim O'Hagan, ‘Nor Meekly Serve My Time” which covers the blanket protest from 1976 to 1981; ‘Out of Time: Irish Republican Prisoners Long Kesh 1972-2000'; and with Brian Campbell the script for the film H3. A Real Peace Settlement NeededLast week the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Irish state. In the course of his meetings President Zelensky also addressed the Oireachtas in which he called for a peace without humiliation.His visit came at a time when there is widespread speculation that the US government is pressuring Ukraine to accept a peace deal that would force it to cede land to Russia.My starting point as a republican is clear. The people of Ukraine have a right to self-determination and the Russian invasion is a breach of international law. With Russia intensifying its drone attacks on Ukraine, especially its targeting of civilian infrastructure like energy, health care and water, there is an urgent need for an intensification of the peace efforts.  Gearóid Ó CairealláinReáchtáladh deireadh seachtaine d'imeachtaí in An Chultúrlann cúpla lá ó shin chun Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, a fuair bás anuraidh, a chomóradh agus chun ár meas a léiriú dá fhís agus dá chrógacht. Scrúdaigh na himeachtaí téamaí an agóidMo bhuíochas ó chroí le hEoghan Ó Néill agus na daoine a chuir Scoil Gheimhridh Uí Chairealláin le chéile. Obair iontach, agus sílim go bhfuil Gearóid an-sásta leis. Diaspóra, ceol, siúlóid, fáthanna éagsúla… agus an taispeántas galánta fosta ar shaol Ghearóid — go han-maith.Seo mar chara é agus mar fhear a raibh go leor fiontar aige. Agus é ag baint sult as an saol. Tá gá le gach streachailt le glór ciotach – ach glór dearfach. Bhí Gearóid lón smaointe geala. 

Elmarie Mawe and Conor Tallon welcomed Angela Newman, Gerry Kelly and Marguerite O Connor into studio to chat about all the productions they're involved in! All we were short was the mince pies!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Griffin pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court recently to 8 counts of indecent assault on twins Mary and Regina Cooney. The abuse which occurred between 1974 and 1982, began when the girls were aged 4 and continued until they were 12. The twins waiving their right to anonymity ensured Griffin was named. He was convicted, remanded in custody and is awaiting sentencing in January. Shortly after the trial Gerry Kelly met Mary and Regina who told him their harrowing story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the arson attack on the IPAS accommodation on George's Street in Drogheda, local Fine Gael councillor Ejiro O'Hare Strattan and Development Perspectives CEO Bobby McCormack joined Gerry Kelly on his Late Lunch Show to have their say about what happened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor O'Kelly Lynch was last on the show talking about her work as an author, but this time she joined Conor Tallon live in studio to chat about a brand new drama group in Glanmire. It's a great inspiration for others to try and do the same, and she spoke about getting it off the ground. Gerry Kelly, a great friend of the show, came in to encourage everyone to get involved in the Cork Pops Orchestra concerts, whether by booking their schools in to City Hall for November, or engaging with the online material from the orchestra. Great chats in studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the oldest Dunnes Stores supermarkets in Ireland, on Drogheda's once "Golden Mile" West Street, is set to close imminently. It's another blow for the burgeoning town's main street which is now but a pale shadow of its glorious past. Anthony Murphy, spokesperson for Drogheda City Status and Dom Gradwell a long-time campaigner highlighting Derelict Drogheda had their say with Gerry Kelly on Late Lunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Hendy's life spiralled out of control as his drug addiction took hold. He spent years in and out of prison in Ireland and Liverpool, experienced homelessness until his youngest brother died and his beautiful daughter was born. He had such artistic talent which ultimately also paved the way towards a better life which he talked about to Gerry Kelly on Late Lunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Flynn aka Mattress Mick joined Gerry Kelly on Late Lunch to talk about his fascinating life & times which he has written about in his memoir "Bouncing Back". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Flynn aka Mattress Mick joined Gerry Kelly on Late Lunch to talk about his fascinating life & times which he has written about in his memoir "Bouncing Back". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our 1916The eight months of the 1981 hunger strike campaign changed the political landscape in Ireland. It was as Síle Darragh, former O.C. of the republican women prisoners in Armagh Women's Prison, said recently, “our 1916.” It began on 1st March 1981. When it ended on 3rd October ten hungerstrikers were dead. Bobby Sands had been the first to die on May 5th. He was followed over the following four summer months up to August by Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Thomas McElwee, and Micky Devine.On Sunday last people came in their thousands, from all parts of the island of Ireland, and from overseas, to participate in the annual August march and to honour and commemorate the ten who died forty-four years ago in the H blocks and others who starved to death decades before this including Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan who died in the 1970s in prison in England. The stories of the ten hunger strikers and of their comrades in the H-Blocks and Armagh Women's Prison, who spent five years on the protest for political status, are many. The brutal physical and mental abuse the women and men endured in defence of the struggle for freedom and in rejection of the label ‘criminal,' has been articulated in a series of books, poems and articles. These include Ten Men Dead by David Beresford; Seachtain an an Bhlaincéad by Ruairí Ó Dónaill; The Crunch has come by Eoghan MacCormaic, written while he was in the H-Blocks and using the pen name Frankie O ‘Brien; Nor Meekly Serve my Time by some of the POWs; John Lennon is Dead by Síle Darragh; Time Shadows by Laurence McKeown; 6000 Days by Jim (Jaz) McCann: ; Pluid: Scéal na mBlocanna H, 1976-81 by Eoghan MacCormaic; Playing My Part by Gerry Kelly; and the many poems and articles written by Bobby Sands. And there are others including by this writer.Speaking at the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery where Bobby Sands, Joe McDonnell and Ciaran Doherty are buried, Uachtarán Mary Lou McDonald caught the legacy and memory of that time when she described the hungerstrikers as: “Ten brave Irish men who laid down their lives on hunger strike for the freedom of their country. Starved and persecuted they lay in the H-Blocks and with every sinew of their being, they refused to be criminalised, refused to be broken, refused to be defeated.” She said: “For them, we will do the work, we will walk the extra yards, we will write our nation's next chapter – Ireland, united and free… Joined by heroic women in Armagh Gaol, they hungered not only for political status, but for the Ireland envisaged by the proclamation – for the Republic… The legacy of the hunger strikers calls to us today.  To stay true to vision and the dream for which they gave everything. To never despair. Never lose hope. Never give up.”Perhaps one of the most emotional moments of the day was as the huge march made its way along the Falls Road toward Milltown. A huge banner of Bik McFarlane was unfurled as the march rounded the bend on the Falls Road, just above Beechmount. The blanket men and women who were leading the commemoration stopped and for a minute lifted their clenched fists in silent salute to the friend and comrade who had led them through that terrible year.In his contribution to Guthanna '81, published last Saturday, Bik, who died earlier this year, wrote about that experience. His account provides an insight, into t

On July 31st 1975 the Miami Showband were making their way back to Dublin from a a gig in Banbridge when they were stopped at what they believed to be a British Army checkpoint at Buskhill. It was a bogus checkpoint manned by loyalist terrorists members of the UVF who attempted to plant a bomb on the band's minibus. What followed was one of the worst atrocities of the troubles. The bomb prematurely exploded killing two terrorists before three band members were shot to pieces in the mayhem that followed. Incredibly Stephen Travers and Des Lee somehow survived. To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Miami Showband Massacre, Des Lee joined Gerry Kelly on his Late Lunch Show on the publication of his life story "My Saxophone Saved My Life". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did supposed peacemaker David Ervine threaten to “bomb the **** out of Dublin”, why did the British Government allow the UDA to be a legal organisation for so long, and what does Gerry Kelly think of claims that he was put in charge of restructuring the IRA? The Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride found the answer to those questions in secret files at the Kew Archives in London; He joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Kelly interviewed a driven Rory when he was 9 years old. Lisa was perturbed by Mary Butler's description of ADHD. Brendan shaved his head as normal but his head was cut to bits.

Globe-trotting Private Investigator Ian Withers reflects on his extraordinary career, from speaking to Gerry Kelly in prison after the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, tracking the IRA's Hyde Park bomber with a bluffed phone call and being arrested on suspicion of the murder of an exiled politician from the Seychelles. He joins Andrew Madden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judge throws out 'scandalous' libel claim brought by Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly.

A Boy named JayI did a book signing for Christmas at An Fhuiseog's stand in the Kennedy Centre. It was a pleasant hour of banter and craic, meeting old friends and making new ones. Gerry Kelly was there just before me but he escaped when I arrived. So it was just me and the punters. And RG and Maggie who was selling all matter of gifts for An Fhuiseog. 2024 – Momentum toward Unity Polls set to increaseAfter weeks, months, of public and private negotiations it is still not clear as 2023 draws to a close what the future of the Executive and Assembly will be. The British government says it has delivered its final word on the issue. The various party positions remain as they were. We shall see what the New Year brings on this.

Gerry Kelly was one of four young Derry men wrongfully charged with the murder of a British Soldier in 1979. These men, known as the ‘Derry Four' fled to the Republic of Ireland and were on the run for 20 years, returning to Northern Ireland in 1998  for their acquittal. In these four episodes, Gerry shares the enormous impact this incredible miscarriage of justice had on him and his family.  

Gerry Kelly was one of four young Derry men wrongfully charged with the murder of a British Soldier in 1979. These men, known as the ‘Derry Four' fled to the Republic of Ireland and were on the run for 20 years, returning to Northern Ireland in 1998  for their acquittal. In these four episodes, Gerry shares the enormous impact this incredible miscarriage of justice had on him and his family.  

Gerry Kelly was one of four young Derry men wrongfully charged with the murder of a British Soldier in 1979. These men, known as the ‘Derry Four' fled to the Republic of Ireland and were on the run for 20 years, returning to Northern Ireland in 1998  for their acquittal. In these four episodes, Gerry shares the enormous impact this incredible miscarriage of justice had on him and his family.  

Gerry Kelly was one of four young Derry men wrongfully charged with the murder of a British Soldier in 1979. These men, known as the ‘Derry Four' fled to the Republic of Ireland and were on the run for 20 years, returning to Northern Ireland in 1998  for their acquittal. In these four episodes, Gerry shares the enormous impact this incredible miscarriage of justice had on him and his family.  

À Calgary, à l'ouest du Canada, le constructeur aéronautique De Havilland reprend le flambeau de Bombardier pour relancer le programme Canadair, ces avions citernes qui permettent d'éteindre des incendies en y larguant de l'eau. En plus de la réparation des anciens avions, le constructeur se prépare à lancer la production d'un nouveau modèle, le DHC-515 De notre envoyé spécial à Calgary,Le bâtiment est discret, non loin de l'aéroport international, dans la zone industrielle de Calgary, une ville de la province canadienne de l'Alberta. À l'intérieur, des couloirs et des portes entrouvertes sur des bureaux : on y aperçoit quelques ingénieurs qui travaillent sur des schémas en noir et blanc complexes de moteurs et d'avions.D'ici à quelques mois, cet immeuble du constructeur aéronautique canadien De Havilland va connaître un regain d'activité. Des centaines de travailleurs viendront participer et veiller à la production du tout nouveau Canadair, le DHC-515. Le Canadair, c'est un modèle d'avion citerne, le plus célèbre du genre, capable de recharger ses cuves de 6 100 litres en 15 secondes et sans se poser, en effleurant à 160 km/h un plan d'eau. L'eau jetée est souvent d'une couleur rouge, un colorant naturel pour pouvoir déterminer du ciel les zones déjà arrosées.Un avion flambant neufLe premier avion citerne sera produit plus de dix ans après le dernier DHC-415, en 2015. Faute de commande, le programme de production avait été arrêté par Bombardier, mais avec le dérèglement climatique, les feux de forêt et le rachat du projet en 2016 par De Havilland, tout a été relancé. Les clients sont plutôt situés en Europe. Une grande partie des pièces du DHC-515 sont produites à Victoria, dans la province limitrophe de la Colombie-Britannique. Elles seront ensuite assemblées dès la fin d'année prochaine dans un immense hangar blanc, adjacent au bâtiment De Havilland de Calgary. La visite guidée est assurée par Gerry Kelly, vice-président en charge de la production, qui ne peut être cité dans les médias. Le hangar est divisé en deux zones : à droite, les ailes de l'avion seront assemblées à la main, soutenues par d'immenses grues et structures déjà présentes en ce milieu d'année 2023. Des couches de métal composeront un mille-feuille rigide et léger, pour assurer la résistance des ailes, même lorsqu'elles seront très sollicitées, lors des manœuvres des pilotes au-dessus des brasiers. L'espace de gauche est consacré au fuselage, et le tout sera ensuite assemblé dans la foulée, « comme des Legos », s'amuse un responsable sur place.De l'extérieur, les différences avec le DHC-415 seront minimes. C'est à l'intérieur, pour les pilotes, que tout change. « Les principales améliorations se concentrent principalement sur le cockpit, avec un nouveau système électronique [...], sur un air climatisé performant, une grosse demande des clients, et sur des revêtements anti-corrosion plus efficaces », décrit Jean-Philippe Côté, vice-président du groupe De Havilland.Dans le hangar, une grande grille d'évacuation permettra de tester en direct le largage des eaux contenues dans les cuves de 6 100 litres, la même capacité que le DHC-415.Réparer de vieux coucousL'un des gros avantages de relancer la production d'un nouveau Canadair, c'est que les 160 actuellement en vol dans le monde, certains depuis plus de 50 ans, pourront profiter de ses pièces détachées. « On en parle souvent avec nos clients. Grâce à la remise en route de toute la chaîne de production du DHC-515, on pourra prolonger la durée de vie de nos appareils, c'est quelque chose auquel on tient beaucoup », affirme le vice-président.Les hangars de réparations et de rénovation des anciens modèles sont situés à quelques kilomètres du lieu de production du nouveau Canadair. Sur site, un immense DHC-215 est en train d'être transformé de fond en comble pour devenir un DHC-215-T : on change les deux moteurs et l'électronique, on fait de la maintenance… une dizaine d'ouvriers s'affairent en sifflotant par-dessus de la musique crachée par une petite enceinte portable et ponctuée par le bruit des visseuses.Comme pour une grande partie de la production du DHC-515, les rénovations sont effectuées à la main : les dizaines de milliers de petits rivets, ces vis très rigides, sont fixées un à un par les ouvriers. La rénovation est longue, confirme Jean-Philippe Côté : « C'est très intense en travail, typiquement, on prend plus d'un an de travail pour faire la conversion. Énormément d'heures sont investies, parce qu'on doit d'un enlever beaucoup de composants à remettre à jour, les changer et refermer l'avion. » Un travail d'orfèvre qui a un coût : le prix d'un Canadair est estimé entre 30 et 60 millions de dollars américains, selon les options.D'ici à début 2027, quand l'usine de production aura atteint tout son potentiel, le constructeur De Havilland espère pouvoir produire une dizaine d'avions par an, pour répondre à une demande grandissante.À lire aussiCanada: les incendies en Europe font chauffer les commandes de Canadair

We hear from Freya McClements, the Northern Editor of the Irish Times and speak to the Sinn Féin Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly

Frederick Douglass takes pride of place in BelfastA great crowd turned out on Monday morning in Lombard St. in Belfast City Centre for the unveiling by Belfast City Ard Mheara Ryan Murphy of a very fine statue of Frederick Douglass, escaped slave and human rights campaigner. It is a striking image of Douglass who is an iconic figure for his work on campaigning for an end to slavery and for equality and justice for African Americans and for women. He visited Ireland in 1845-46 just before the worst years of The Great Hunger. National Hunger Strike March for CorkFor the first time the annual National Hunger Strike Commemoration will be held in Cork City on Sunday 27 August to remember the ten 1981 hunger strikers and Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg. First Minister designate Michelle O'Neill will be the main speaker.Gino and the Pen Behind The Wire.  Prisoners Day is an important date in the Féile an Phobail calendar. The event on August 11 in the Felon's Club is an opportunity to look at exhibitions, hear talks on issues affecting former POWs, including this year an up-to-date on the CR Gas campaign.A few weeks ago I noted the upcoming launch at Prisoners Day of a wonderful book of poetry, The Pen Behind The Wire, by Eoghan ‘Gino' MacCormaic. At the back of the book there is a list of family and friends and comrades who recorded some of Gino's poems with QR codes for readers to listen to the spoken word. Among the many contributors are his wife and other family members, Christy Moore, Lucilita Bhreatnach, Rosie McCorley, Gerry Kelly, mé féin and many more.

A special podcast by Gerry Adams part 2. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Gerry's guests include Mitchel McLaughlin, Bairbre De Brún and Gerry Kelly who all involved in the negotiations at that time..

Myself, Mitchel McLaughlin, Bairbre De Brún and Gerry Kelly who all involved in the negotiations at that time, reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. 

Talking about Martin McGuinnessTuesday was the sixth anniversary of the death of my friend and comrade Martin McGuinness. I travelled to the Derry City Hotel that evening for a public conversation about my relationship with Martin with Roy Greenslade. Roy is an author, broadcaster and journalist who during a long and distinguished career has held a series of senior positions in many of London's main newspapers.Beauty an OileáinRegular readers will know that I am a big fan of Claddagh Records. Founded by Garech Browne and Ivor Browne, for decades Claddagh has been recording and promoting Irish traditional music and song. This wonderful enterprise has recently had a new lease of life and Claddagh is currently digging into its archival material and giving its collections space to breathe once again. As the result of an arrangement with Universal Music these gems from our tradition are now getting global exposure. Well done Claddagh.The Good Friday Agreement and Sue RamsayIn other columns Gerry Kelly and Bairbre de Brún have recalled their experiences in the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement. This week Sue Ramsay remembers:

Celebrating St. Patrick and the GFAThis week Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald and Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill will be in the USA for the St. Patrick's Day events. St. Patrick's Day or week is regular part of the annual calendar for the Irish diaspora everywhere but especially in the USA.Mary Lou and Michelle and Conor Murphy will engage in an extensive round of diplomatic talks with senior political leaders on Capitol Hill. They will brief them on the current situation and attend events with business leaders to promote investment. They will also meet with representatives of Irish America without whom none of this would be possible.Surrender. 40 Songs. One Story.I have just finished reading Bono's book, Surrender. It is a good read and the U2 singer is a very good writer. He knows how to tell a story. But perhaps we should not be surprised at this. Bono has penned a long string of very good songs.This is an impressive  book. Made up of forty short stories. Each based on a U2 song. But it works well also as unit, as a narrative. I like autobiographies. If they are written well. And this one is. It is particularly insightful about the origins of U2, Bono's relationships with the other band members and with Paul McGuinness their former manager. So too about the influence of other lifelong friends. And his youthful religious experiences.This island will be as one by Gerry KellyAs part of my reflection on the Good Friday Agreement I have asked comrades who were part of that process to write about their memories. Last week it was Bairbre de Brún. This week it is Gerry Kelly:I was released from prison in 1989, after serving a total of 16 years in various jails and jurisdictions. I joined Sinn Fein on release and was, soon after, part of the discussions that were going on at that time in pursuit of a peaceful way forward. An intermittent line of communication between Sinn Fein and the British government had existed over many years and had become active again.