Year: 2013

News from IrelandLeave a comment

Calls For End To Austerity As Ireland Plunges Back Into Recession

Michael Green

Those commentators who have been critical of the overuse of austerity policies in Ireland are claiming that Ireland’s plunge back into recession is proof of their views. Since 2008 the Irish economy has been battered by international forces beyond its control in addition to massive self-inflicted damage caused by a property market bubble and the near collapse of the Irish banking system. The effects were far-reaching. Unemployment stands at 13.7%, public services have been slashed, bitter wrangling continues between the Government and its own employees in the Civil and Public services. Emigration has soared to Famine-era levels while those left … Continue reading Calls For End To Austerity As Ireland Plunges Back Into Recession

News from Ireland, Tourist2 Comments

Irish Tourists Arrested for Watching a Game of Bingo in Portugal

Michael Green

The desire to stamp out illegal gambling in Portugal seems to have taken a bizarre turn. A group of 28 British and Irish tourists were arrested by Portuguese police for being in a bar where a game of bingo was taking place. Under Portuguese law any gambling, even bingo, needs to have an appropriate licence. The first game of bingo had concluded when the police swooped on the bar, arresting those present, regardless of whether or not they were actually participating in the game. The owner of the Yorkshire Tavern is Marianne Pittaway: “It is crazy, an absolute joke. We … Continue reading Irish Tourists Arrested for Watching a Game of Bingo in Portugal

News from Ireland1 Comment

Vested Interests Attempt To Scupper Alcohol Advertising Ban

Michael Green

The ongoing attempts to reduce the amount of alcohol consumption in Ireland have been met with predictable opposition from those with most to lose. The head of Diageo in Ireland, who own the Guinness brand, has warned that a ban on sports sponsorship in Ireland could lead to a reduction in its future investment in the country. The thinly veiled threat is aimed squarely at the Government who are attempting to ban sponsorship by alcohol companies at all Irish sporting events. The plan is to phase out all sponsorship links between high-profile sporting events and alcohol brands by the year … Continue reading Vested Interests Attempt To Scupper Alcohol Advertising Ban

Musings, News from IrelandLeave a comment

Greedy Irish Politicians Revert to Type in Seanad Showdown

Michael Green

OPINION PIECE The division between what is broadly termed ‘the establishment’ and the ordinary citizens of Ireland has rarely been more evident than in recent weeks. The current Government is committed to holding a referendum to provide for the abolition of the Seanad (one of the Irish houses of Parliament – pronounced ‘shan-idd’). The Seanad has very little real power and although it can delay the passage of legislation by up to three months it cannot ultimately stop laws being made by the main Irish Parliament. It is an unelected body and thus has become a breeding ground for ‘wannabe’ … Continue reading Greedy Irish Politicians Revert to Type in Seanad Showdown

News from Ireland2 Comments

Ireland Criticized by US Senator

Michael Green

The Irish tax system is under the microscope after US Senator Carl Levin called the country a ‘tax haven’ and this despite the fact that the US government does not officially class Ireland as one. The Senator is clearly unhappy with the fact that Apple Inc, the computer technology company, is reported to only pay as little as 2% tax on its profits by registering its business in Ireland. By doing this the profits can be funnelled through Ireland and then on to an actual tax haven country, thus avoiding a big tax bill in the US. It is clearly … Continue reading Ireland Criticized by US Senator

News from Ireland, Tourist4 Comments

‘Quiet Man’ Pub Sold To Film Fan

Michael Green

The Irish country village pub made famous by the film ‘ The Quiet Man’ starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara has been sold to an English fan of the film. The bar is located in Cong in County Mayo, deep in the heart of Connemara and is reported to have sold for close to the asking price of 300,000 euro (US$385,000). The bar is central to the famous fight scenes between Sean Thornton (John Wayne) and Squire ‘Red’ Will Danaher (Victor McLaghlen). The fight meandered its way through the local fields, into the town and back out into the streets … Continue reading ‘Quiet Man’ Pub Sold To Film Fan

History, News from IrelandLeave a comment

Looted Irish Treasure Recovered in Britain

Michael Green

A hoard of treasure including medieval silver coins, some military items and a Bronze-Age axe and spear-head that were looted from Ireland have been recovered and returned to the National Museum of Ireland. The use of metal detectors in Ireland requires a licence. It is suspected that several people searched for and found the historical treasures between 2009 and 2012 and removed them illegally. Some 899 items were removed from the County Tipperary area, a location that was already in the news this year for the discovery of a 17th Century Pot of Gold Found in the Foundations of an … Continue reading Looted Irish Treasure Recovered in Britain