Author: Michael Green

Michael Green is Manager of The Information about Ireland Site
News from IrelandLeave a comment

Irish Government Finally Gets Tough on Public Service Pay

Michael Green

Irish Government Finally Gets Tough on Public Service Pay The ‘Croke Park Agreement’ is a deal between Public Service Unions and the Irish Government. It broadly states that there the Government will not implement any further cuts in pay for Public Servants in exchange for an increase in productivity and greater flexibility in respect of work practices. The rates of pay and conditions enjoyed by Irish public servants have been the subject of severe criticism in Ireland in the last few years, especially given the appalling state of the public finances. A successor to the Cork Park Agreement is being … Continue reading Irish Government Finally Gets Tough on Public Service Pay

News from Ireland2 Comments

Sinn Fein Calls for Vote on United Ireland – a ‘border poll’

Michael Green

The ‘Good Friday Agreement’ that saw an end to the armed conflict in Northern Ireland has a number of provisions including the possibility of a vote on the removal of the border with the Republic and thus a United Ireland. It has always been the express political aim of Sinn Fein to achieve a United Ireland and the party has clearly taken heart from recent census results of the population in the six Counties. The census revealed that the once significant gap between the Protestant majority and Catholic minority has diminished significantly. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency published … Continue reading Sinn Fein Calls for Vote on United Ireland – a ‘border poll’

News from IrelandLeave a comment

Irish Water Tax to be introduced in 2014

Michael Green

A new tax on the private use of tap water is to be introduced in Ireland in 2014. This is despite the fact that most Irish homes will not have an actual water meter installed until 2016 at the earliest. A flat-rate fee will be introduced initially and will be based on the size of a property as well as the number of occupants. Irish businesses already pay for their water usage but private homes do not, the funding for which comes from general taxation revenue. The new plans to install a water meter in every house in the country … Continue reading Irish Water Tax to be introduced in 2014

Articles, History3 Comments

Origin of the ‘Black Irish’

Michael Green

There are a number of theories about the origin of the term ‘Black Irish’. Almost all were intended as a form of insult or as a means of differentiating one particular group from another. The theories regarding the origin of the phrase ‘Black Irish’ include: 1. Descendants of Viking and Norman invaders who eventually settled in Ireland may have been referred to as ‘Black Irish’. This is more likely because of the dark intentions of the invaders rather than their physical appearance. 2. One of the consequences of the disastrous ‘Spanish Armada’ in the year 1588 was that groups of … Continue reading Origin of the ‘Black Irish’

StoriesLeave a comment

Grandma’s Gramophone – a story by Michael Collins

Michael Green

The wheelchair was uncomfortable and the retirement home smelt musty. Martin settled himself into the seat as best he could, trying to find the most favourable position for his withered and bony bottom and thighs. Ahead of him stretched another long day of inactivity. Since the stroke had paralysed his body but had left his mind intact he had had a long string of such days. Make the best of it, he thought. Use your mind. Think long and hard of good things and bad things. Spin the day out. So what’s today’s story that I’m going to re-tell myself? … Continue reading Grandma’s Gramophone – a story by Michael Collins

News from Ireland, TouristLeave a comment

Unexpected Chinese Boost for Irish Tourism

Michael Green

In the wake of the unexpected blossoming of the Irish whale-watching business the Irish tourist industry is today celebrating another notable boost. In a surprising boost for Irish tourism the Chinese ‘Oriental Morning Post’ newspaper has declared that Ireland is the world’s best travel destination. A poll conducted by the newspaper was announced at the ‘World Travel Awards’ in Shanghai. The vote of confidence for the Irish tourist experience follows on from the 2012 ‘most charming destination’ award from the Beijing ‘Life Style’ magazine. As many as two million Chinese tourists visit Europe every year but clearly Irish Tourist businesses … Continue reading Unexpected Chinese Boost for Irish Tourism

News from Ireland, TouristLeave a comment

Whale-Watching Season begins off Irish Coast

Michael Green

Perhaps it is a sign of global warming or maybe it is just the natural cycle of the seas but in recent years an unlikely tourist activity has begun in the Irish sea: Whale-Watching. Several humpback and fin whales have arrived in Irish waters about 5km from the County Wexford coastline. An abundance of herring fish in the area has attracted the massive creatures with a ‘super-pod’ of dolphins also being reported. The arrival of the whales is sure to boost the local economy with fishing and tourist boats able to bring visitors and photographers out onto the water for … Continue reading Whale-Watching Season begins off Irish Coast