Gerry Adams

THE decision by Micheál Martin last week to oppose Sinn Féin's ‘Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026' was no real surprise.

FÉILE an Phobail is the launch pad each year of exiting new projects, and especially new books. One such book this year is ‘Women's Voices, Hopes for a New Ireland'.

MY 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.

ON Saturday a packed St Mary's gave a huge welcome to Martina Anderson, who was launching her personal and hugely important autobiography – ‘Choosing the Struggle'.

FOLLOWING on from Tradfest – well done Dónal and everyone involved – Féile and the Fleadh were mighty.

FOLLOWING on from Tradfest – well done Dónal and everyone involved – Féile and the Fleadh were mighty. Sixteen days of Féile An Phobail, separate but running parallel with a week of the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to be held in Belfast. An 1.6 million Fleadh hoppers meandered their way through Belfast soaking up the music, the craic and the joyful atmosphere as musicians and dancers playing their hearts out on streets and in pubs and music venues.

MONDAY'S Irish Times has an editorial dealing with the possibility of the collapse of the Northern Assembly at Stormont.

THIS Sunday the National Hunger Strike Commemoration will commence at 2.30pm in Ballina, County Mayo. The event will mark 45 years since the 1981 hunger strike in which ten men died.

SHOULD we have been surprised by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's crass assertion last week that the issue of the unity referendum promised in the Good Friday Agreement, “is one issue that will be off the table”?

TO be honest, I find it difficult to comprehend that next March it will be ten years since the death of my friend and comrade Martin McGuinness.