Slugger O'Toole

Dumping politics out of boxes | Provocative conversation

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Chambré Weekly Bulletin 27/07/2026

What you need to know NI parties set out priorities for new Burnham Government Stormont parties have welcomed Andy Burnham’s appointment as UK Prime Minister, and have called on him to address NI’s financial situation
https://t.co/mfSBraNKZn

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Storytime with Houdi – Kebabs…

In early 1985 my days as a trainee supermarket manager in Dublin had reached the end of the line. The company offered me a very substantial position as assistant manager in their biggest ever store, but there was a sting
https://t.co/LqrgPtsltV

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

In DUP we trust (or not)…

“Do you believe the DUP is being fully honest about what it knew in relation to Jeffrey Donaldson’s double life?” That is the question voters were asked by LucidTalk in their latest poll for the Belfast Telegraph. The BT is ho
https://t.co/OfdLrbU5Me

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

The Problem With Young People These Days…

Psst…if you’re middle-aged or older let’s have a wee side-meeting on the comfy chairs. Now, I know no one thinks they’re ‘middle-aged’ but if your choice of tipple comes with a shot of Rennes and you pack Ibup
https://t.co/s5rJ57mjFA

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Transforming Ireland: The first step is to stop blaming each other…

An open letter to Andy Pollak. Hi Andy, I’m sure you must feel that “I am out to get you” with the number of OP’s and comments I have written which directly respond to yours. But blogg
https://t.co/e8eQi6VcyK

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Reconciling Competing Rights

As a unionist, attending Féile an Phobail for the first time was a little daunting, but in general I have found the discussion and debate sessions enjoyable and welcoming to all viewpoints. (I think this year will be the fou
https://t.co/3re82BFC3O

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

We need to change the story we tell ourselves. Belfast is a city of determination, not decay…

Chris McCracken is the Managing Director of The Linen Quarter Business Improvement District The public reception for the Fleadh has been overwhelmingly positi
https://t.co/MZePLTKN1x

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

A Battle A Day?

So, I have a theory. My theory is that when D’hondt was run following the restoration of the institutions over two years ago, the DUP deliberately avoided picking up the Economy or Finance portfolios because they figured the party or par
https://t.co/fsqmcoXQ8v

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

The secret code of Irish names

Jack Russell is the author of the https://t.co/q5DsV1gA27 blog, where this article was originally published. Anna Burns’ Milkman is a remarkable book. Based on her experiences growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, it
https://t.co/t08qIozh1u

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Testosterone Replacement Therapy. The new way to win wars?

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last week that all military personnel aged 30 and over will be annually screened for testosterone deficiency. Those with “low testosterone” will be of
https://t.co/wT3BvieXiP

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Hilary Benn Out: Chris Bryant new Secretary of State

The new UK Prime Minister has wasted little time in assembling his new cabinet, but of particular interest to those of us resident in Northern Ireland would be his choice of Secretary of State. Any su
https://t.co/CrqSwRpZtX

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister…

Kier Starmer has resigned as UK Prime Minister saying ‘his work is done’ – which many of you will have your own opinions on how successful his leadership was. After being appointed by King Charles, Andy Burnham b
https://t.co/HORywNQylW

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Chambré Weekly Bulletin 20/07/2026

What you need to know NI Secretary does not want to step in to set Executive budget as Fiscal Council warns of bailout mentality On Wednesday (15 July), Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn MP appeared before the NI
https://t.co/GsWLJ5f2lU

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Scottish athlete Josh Kerr breaks the 1-mile world record with a time of 3:42…

As most of you will know the sub-four-minute mile was long considered impossible until Roger Bannister managed it in 1954. Sensei and many athletes have smashed his record.
https://t.co/D9bFqZ4Vf6

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

On-pavement motor-bikes and child-driven e-scooters are risking lives with impunity…

A few years back, at a junction close to where I live, a neighbour while driving out of the street was struct by a motorbike, driving at speed up the main-road, probab
https://t.co/MyTxsn6wqS

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Finding sticks to beat Ireland with…

In another of his continuing series of articles chronicling the difficulties of unionism and the unpreparedness of the Irish people for a United Ireland, Andy Pollak criticises the British government for failing to
https://t.co/twliQdyPCV

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Don’t Cry for me Argentina…

Roaring Hanna is a Slugger reader from Belfast Well alas for our ‘nearest and dearest’ neighbours once again the World Cup isn’t coming home, that’s this year just as it didn’t every year since ’66 and ’62, ’58, 54 & ’50 bef
https://t.co/IcmVt7FZCE

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Goodbye to Leinster and Ireland Rugby Excellence?

With many Ulster fans pleased with an uptick in their province’s performances on the rugby pitch in reaching the final of the Challenge cup and providing eight players to the Irish rugby team that beat J
https://t.co/juWe65Jlz4

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Could the Jeffrey Donaldson case change the course of Northern Ireland’s history?

I have been listening to a most interesting Irish Times podcast with the Northern Ireland commentator and former Ulster Unionist press officer, Alex Kane, about the politi
https://t.co/xy8HLadmYC

[Slugger O'Toole @SluggerOToole]

Unionist paranoia over the Donaldson scandal might result in throwing themselves over a cliff. There is a better way

From hot house London (figuratively as well as literally)., I’m dismayed but no longer surprised that the trend of unionist opinion over
https://t.co/mmeZlxpOwr