Eibhlin O'Neill's blog

The Titanic exhibition in Belfast (Irish: Béal Feirste) in the northeast of Ireland (Irish: Éire), has been named Europe’s Leading Visitor Attraction at the World Travel Awards 2016. Known as Titanic Belfast, more than three million people have visited the attraction since it opened in 2012. It  occupies the same location where the Titanic was built and launched by the shipbuilders Harland and Wolff. They built large slipways and graving docks to accommodate the construction of Titanic and her sister ships Olympic and Britannic.

News from the Celtic League:

An interesting story here from the Irish Times about a link up between the prestigious US University of Notre Dame and the West of Ireland.

The University has opened a campus at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara which is situated on Kylemore Lough near on the edge of the Connemara National Park on the Letterfrack to Leenaun Road (link):

http://www.irishtimes.com/…/university-of-notre-dame-opens-…

News from the Celtic League:

As the terrible events of Srebrenica are remembered it is important to remember that in addition to the atrocity perpetrated by the Serb military the refugees in the enclave were let down by the UN Dutch peace keepers 400 of who were charged with guarding the enclave. The argument always made by the UN and Dutch s that they were overwhelmed. However a court in France three years ago did apportion blame (see link):

The death has taken place of Catholic Bishop Edward Daly who was present in Derry's Bogside on Bloody Sunday in 1972. An enduring image of that dreadful day, 30 January 1972, was Father Edward Daly waving a white blood-stained handkerchief while he and others courageously tried to escort the mortally wounded 17 year old Jackie Duddy to safety.

News from the Celtic League:

That rare event - crooked bankers being jailed - occurred in Ireland last week when Anglo Irish Bank executives John Bowe and Willie McAteer and the former chief executive of Irish Life and Permanent, Denis Casey were sentenced after being found guilty last month of agreeing a scheme to mislead the public about the true health of Anglo

News from the Celtic League:

A Major General of the Irish Army has assumed the Head of Mission and Force Commander role for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Speaking at a ceremony yesterday to mark the event Irelands Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, said:

News from the Celtic League:

‘There’s no time to waste’ with only possibly another two years before the EU super trawlers are kicked out of UK waters (unless that is the UK sell-out the fishermen for a trade deal – which has been known!) the ‘monster boats’ are at sea again.

After lying up in the Netherlands the MV Annelies Ilena is on the move again and on present course it seems to be heading for the North West of Scotland or the Atlantic coast off NW Ireland (we will be keeping tabs).

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins (Irish: Mícheál D. Ó hUiginn) is about to conclude a successful four day official visit to Scotland. During his visit he has met with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and addressed members of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The Scottish First Minister said that Ireland was an important friend to Scotland and she looked forward to strengthening links between the countries.

News from the Celtic League:

Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness has called for a referendum on Irish reunification stressing the implications for the Brexit vote on new border controls.

Although Arlene Foster Stormont's First Minister has insisted Northern Ireland's place in the Brexiting UK is safe.

Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Fein leader and Deputy First Minister believes Irish people should be given a chance to vote on their future, saying there was a 'democratic imperative' to allow people to vote on reunification.

Congratulations to Republic of Ireland, who beat Italy 1 - 0 at the Euro Championship in France last night. Robbie Brady guided a perfect Wes Hoolahan ball into the back of the net with only six mintes of the game remaining. Previous results also mean, that despite last nights loss, Italy are also through to the last 16 teams. Ireland will take on hosts France in Lyon next as we move on to the knock-out phase of this competition. Wales have also qualified into the next round.