Author Archives: Allan Leonard
Expressing Identity — Addressing Division: CRC Annual Policy Conference 2013
Expressing Identity: Addressing Division This year’s annual policy conference of the Community Relations Council (CRC) was held in Derry-Londonderry, a fresh change from the usual Belfast venues. Indeed, the Maiden City has demonstrated leadership in community relations for many years.
Expressing Identity — Addressing Division: CRC Annual Policy Conference 2013
Expressing Identity: Addressing Division This year’s annual policy conference of the Community Relations Council (CRC) was held in Derry-Londonderry, a fresh change from the usual Belfast venues. Indeed, the Maiden City has demonstrated leadership in community relations for many years.
Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography. Discuss.
To mark its 30th anniversary, Belfast Exposed has organised an extensive exhibition of photographic work, displayed both at its premises on Donegall Street as well as at The MAC. The exhibition — Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography — “focuses
Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography. Discuss.
To mark its 30th anniversary, Belfast Exposed has organised an extensive exhibition of photographic work, displayed both at its premises on Donegall Street as well as at The MAC. The exhibition — Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography — “focuses
The emotional impact of stroke
I woke up next to my partner, to a spokesperson from the Stroke Association talking about their new report, “Feeling overwhelmed: The emotional impact of stroke”: “Are you listening to this?” I asked Madame Oui. “Yes.” My wife had a
The emotional impact of stroke
I woke up next to my partner, to a spokesperson from the Stroke Association talking about their new report, “Feeling overwhelmed: The emotional impact of stroke”: “Are you listening to this?” I asked Madame Oui. “Yes.” My wife had a
Political Drama: What Drama?
As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Stratagem hosted a political drama film and discussion event at The MAC. Stratagem Director, Quintin Oliver, explained how he was motivated by a gift request from his son for a box set of
Political Drama: What Drama?
As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Stratagem hosted a political drama film and discussion event at The MAC. Stratagem Director, Quintin Oliver, explained how he was motivated by a gift request from his son for a box set of
Review: Good Vibrations @QFTBelfast
Good Vibrations is a film about Belfast music legend, Terri Hooley, who was responsible for discovering The Undertones and recording Teenage Kicks (which radio DJ Jonathan Peel famously played twice in a row). UTV film critic Brian Henry Martin described
Review: Good Vibrations @QFTBelfast
Good Vibrations is a film about Belfast music legend, Terri Hooley, who was responsible for discovering The Undertones and recording Teenage Kicks (which radio DJ Jonathan Peel famously played twice in a row). UTV film critic Brian Henry Martin described
Good Friday Agreement codifies civic rules of the Northern Ireland game
Although the DUP dismisses the Good Friday Agreement for all its faults, it is hard to deny that that long-negotiated document set the framework under which our politics takes place, with its separation of powers (perhaps too separate), all-inclusive Executive
Good Friday Agreement codifies civic rules of the Northern Ireland game
Although the DUP dismisses the Good Friday Agreement for all its faults, it is hard to deny that that long-negotiated document set the framework under which our politics takes place, with its separation of powers (perhaps too separate), all-inclusive Executive
Review: Andy Warhol @TheMACBelfast
Another art exhibition review in less than a week. This isn’t my day job, honest. After a work related meetup at the MAC Belfast, I toured the Andy Warhol exhibition. This was my first time at the MAC, so I
Review: Andy Warhol @TheMACBelfast
Another art exhibition review in less than a week. This isn’t my day job, honest. After a work related meetup at the MAC Belfast, I toured the Andy Warhol exhibition. This was my first time at the MAC, so I
Review: Government Art Collection at Ulster Museum
The UK Government Art Collection (GAC) is made up of 15,000 works of art that are spread out in British government buildings throughout out the world: “Dating from 1898, the Government Art Collection helps raise the profile of art from
Review: Government Art Collection at Ulster Museum
The UK Government Art Collection (GAC) is made up of 15,000 works of art that are spread out in British government buildings throughout out the world: “Dating from 1898, the Government Art Collection helps raise the profile of art from
Breadboy book launch
Breadboy is Tony Macaulay’s sequel to Paperboy, growing up as a young teenager in Shankill, West Belfast. I was delighted to be invited to the book launch, having also been to the one for Paperboy, three years ago. Like then,
Breadboy book launch
Breadboy is Tony Macaulay’s sequel to Paperboy, growing up as a young teenager in Shankill, West Belfast. I was delighted to be invited to the book launch, having also been to the one for Paperboy, three years ago. Like then,
POTD 2012
At the start of 2012, I resolved to take a photo a day, a 365-day (actually, 366-day with the leap year). I did it. Most of the time the daily image presented itself subconsciously, whether walking to or from my
POTD 2012
At the start of 2012, I resolved to take a photo a day, a 365-day (actually, 366-day with the leap year). I did it. Most of the time the daily image presented itself subconsciously, whether walking to or from my
The US and Northern Ireland: A diplomatic perspective
The UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies was the venue for a day-long conference, “The US and Northern Ireland: A Diplomatic Perspective”. Three panel discussions were represented by high-level speakers, from the Irish and British diplomatic corps as well as
The US and Northern Ireland: A diplomatic perspective
The UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies was the venue for a day-long conference, “The US and Northern Ireland: A Diplomatic Perspective”. Three panel discussions were represented by high-level speakers, from the Irish and British diplomatic corps as well as
Transforming society through engaging place based leaders
Transforming society through engaging place based leaders By Allan Leonard for Northern Ireland Foundation 1 November 2012 A conference organised by the University of Ulster addressed the dynamic and innovative approaches to place based leadership, and how they could be
Transforming society through engaging place based leaders
Transforming society through engaging place based leaders By Allan Leonard for Northern Ireland Foundation 1 November 2012 A conference organised by the University of Ulster addressed the dynamic and innovative approaches to place based leadership, and how they could be
Review: Religion for Atheists
Alain de Botton proposes applying what has worked for religions to a more appealing atheism, in his book Religion for Atheists. He admits that a coherent theory will not be done in a single, short volume such as he has
Review: Religion for Atheists
Alain de Botton proposes applying what has worked for religions to a more appealing atheism, in his book Religion for Atheists. He admits that a coherent theory will not be done in a single, short volume such as he has
Mark Pollock is a true inspiration
Just listened to Mark Pollock on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme. I remember the last time I heard him on the radio, over a year ago, when he was in hospital after his injury that left him paralysed.
Mark Pollock is a true inspiration
Just listened to Mark Pollock on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme. I remember the last time I heard him on the radio, over a year ago, when he was in hospital after his injury that left him paralysed.
Acting on shared experiences: FCT 2011 report launch
At Parliament Buildings, where the Northern Ireland Assembly sits, I was responsible for organising an event for our Forum for Cities in Transition project, which is an international network of mayors, councillors, municipal officials, business people, and representatives of the
Acting on shared experiences: FCT 2011 report launch
At Parliament Buildings, where the Northern Ireland Assembly sits, I was responsible for organising an event for our Forum for Cities in Transition project, which is an international network of mayors, councillors, municipal officials, business people, and representatives of the
Mr Ulster does Good Form Running
Over the past three years Running Times has reported on what is known as minimalist running, which is based on the concept that every human, regardless of weight or stature, actually runs a natural stride barefoot (ie. a midfoot strike),
Mr Ulster does Good Form Running
Over the past three years Running Times has reported on what is known as minimalist running, which is based on the concept that every human, regardless of weight or stature, actually runs a natural stride barefoot (ie. a midfoot strike),
