From top: January 2020 edition of The Economist; writer Michael O’Loughlin

This morning.

What do we want?

You’d want to be zipping it.

Via The Irish Times:

We all know, though some pretend not to, that Northern Ireland is not, and never has been, and never will be, an integral part of the UK in the way that Tunbridge Wells is. Why else did the British government give unionists their own government and state in 1921, and not the Scots and the Welsh? But the fact that unionists are so delusional about the past century does not invalidate their emotions. They have a right not to live in a united Ireland.

When Irish nationalists talk about “reuniting” Ireland, what do they mean? When was Ireland ever “united” except in the context of British rule? So what would a united Ireland actually look like? A Republic writ large? A Christy Moore fantasy of Irish ways and Irish laws? At this stage so many people have killed for, or been killed for, a united Ireland that it has become a tainted concept.

If you really want a united Ireland, based on unity rather than head counts, now is the time to stop talking about it.

Um.

FIGHT!

We Need  To Stop Talking About A United Ireland (Michael Loughlin, Irish Times)

Last night.

Northern Territory, Australia.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Martin Gunner announcing a ‘hard lockdown’.

How hard?

Via ABC News:

Under a hard lockdown residents are only able to leave their homes and yards for medical treatment or in an emergency, according to the NT government.

At a press conference, Mr Gunner said the hard lockdown measures were appropriate because the “threat to lives is extreme” in the communities.

He said the federal government had offered to deploy 20 ADF personnel, as well as army trucks, to assist with the unfolding situation in the Northern Territory.

The trucks, Mr Gunner said, would help the transfer of positive cases and close contacts and “to support the communities”.

“I contacted the Prime Minister last night. We are grateful for the support,” Mr Gunner said.

“We are doing an assessment today of what extra resources we might need from the [federal government] and the Prime Minister is ready to help further.”

NT records no new cases of COVID-19 overnight following nine Binjari cases (ABC)

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

Gulp.

0

This Christmas…

…celebrate the joy of Dublin.

RetroEire writes:

What makes Dublin memorable? Places, music, culture. Some have vanished. Some are cherished. Some are under threat. At RetróEire we keep an eye out for reminders, memories and hints of home.

The Ceol Collection in collaboration with analogue letterpress printer One Strong Arm is about Irish songs & stories framed in contemporary design.

Designed and letterpress printed using a process which has remained unchanged for over 400 years. It’s music to the ears & eyes.

The first of many collabs from our Makers & Creators Corner, saving Dublin memories is an invitation to share treasured memories of the past in the present.

The Ceol Collection (RetróEire)

Irish-made stocking fillers to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘Irish-Made Stocking Fillers’.

Garth Brooks on the roof of Croke Park, Dublin this afternoon

This morning.

Croke Park, Dublin.

Fight!

Sam Boal/RollingNews

From top; Stella McCartney red trainers, estimate €200-€300; Valentino Garavani suede/leather Shoes in a Japanese Butterfly Mary Jane pattern, estimate €400-€600. Jimmy Choo nude leather shoes and clutchbag, estimate €800-€1000

This morning.

Don’t judge.

Until you’ve walked a mile in their Choo’s.

Yvonne Judge writes:

Laois auctioneer Sean Eacrett hosts a pre-owned fashion auction on November 27 featuring 700 items including shoes by Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Chanel, Prada, Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren.

The auction is a combination of private collections from a number of sellers. The items are in mint condition.

The auction will be online on November 27 next in Sean’s County Laois showroom, (commission only extra charge) at link below…

Sean Eacrett Auctioneers

Vanessa writes:

Can you name those Haughey loyalists?

Anyone?

Exclusive ‘I have the votes’ – Charles Haughey biography reveals how Fianna Fáil maverick seized control (Independent.ie)

Yesterday.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach held a video phone call with three-time Olympian Peng Shuai amid a wave of global concern about Peng’s wellbeing and whereabouts.

Via CNN:

Since Friday evening, a steady stream of photos and videos purporting to show a smiling Peng going about her life in Beijing have surfaced on Twitter — all posted by individuals working for Chinese government-controlled media and the state sport system, on a platform blocked in China.

The apparent propaganda push was followed Sunday by a video call between Peng and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, during which the three-time Olympian insisted she is “safe and well, living at her home in Beijing” and “would like to have her privacy respected,” according to a statement from the IOC.

The flurry of “proof of life” videos came amid a firestorm of global concern for Peng, who disappeared from the public eye for more than two weeks after taking to social media to accuse former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex at his home — an explosive and politically sensitive allegation that triggered blanket censorship in China.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has finally appeared in public. But here’s why the worries aren’t going away (CNN)

BBC

As it stands, we have been informed that the date that would see pubs, nightclubs and restaurants being closed is December 13th.

It’s understood that the economy will be allowed continue for another week with a full lockdown being discussed for December 20th.

It must be stated that dates cannot be taken as fact but we have been reliably informed by two separate sources from within Leinster House that they are being actively discussed.

REVEALED: Dates we understand that are being discussed to fully close pubs and a full lockdown again (The Liberal)

Anyone?

RollingNews

Broadsheet.ie