My Blog (Eugene Ward)

Halloween is originally Irish! The modern celebration of Halloween has deep roots in ancient Celtic Ireland, where it began as a festival called Samhain (pronounced Sow-in). Here’s how it connects: Origins: Samhain was celebrated by the Celts over 2,000 years ago, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was seen as a liminal time when the boundary between the living and the spirit world was thin, allowing ghosts or fairies to cross over. Traditions: People lit bonfires to ward off evil spirits, wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves from ghosts, and left offerings of food for wandering souls — all customs that survive in Halloween today. Christian Influence: When Christianity spread to Ireland, the Church established All Hallows’ Day (Nov 1) and All Hallows’ Eve (Oct 31) — which merged with Samhain traditions. Over time, All Hallows’ Eve became Halloween. Spread to America: Irish immigrants in the 19th century brought these customs to the United S...

 Today the Israeli naional team take on Norway in Oslo. Against the wishes of the majority of UEFA members, Israel is still present in UEFA competitions despite its war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, Why FIFA won’t ban Israel despite Gaza genocide  THE TRUCE The news this week of the ceasefire in Gaza is definitely welcome. Norway is not happy about hosting today's fixture but the fact that the genocide is at an end, at least for now, makes hosting the fixture more palatable SPORTING SANCTIONS Even if the genocide is over, the occupation, the blockade and the apartheid system is not. The threat of expulsion from Eurovision and international football showed the Zionist regime that the world is not on their side.  Sporting sanctions were important in bringing down the South African apartheid system. Exlusion from international rugby in particular hit tye South African hard. The same strategy needs to be used with Israel Many countries are calling for Israel to be banned ...

  The UN has now confirmed what we already knew, Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza. Over the last two years I have been taken aback by how low the Zionist state will stoop and to the extent they are being defended by their allies. First, when they bombed a hospital we heard that they would never do such a thing. Biden said "it was done by the other team" trying to foster a simple them and us mentality. Now they have bombed every hospital in Gaza, murdered, tortured and raped medical staff, buried them in mass graves and committed various other depraved crimes. They have bombed men women and children from the sky, burned them alive in tents, shot them from point-blank range and murdered people while they were queuing for food. They have closed Gaza off so the UN and other relief agencies cannot function. People in their desperation are trying to bring food by sea but the Israeli government are threatening them Yet the Israelis always play the victim. Any criticism of the...

 Some people may ask, why am I still writing about it, talking about it?   I wish I didn't have to. I wish we were not witnessing an ongoing genocide. I am so consumed with a mix of feelings, anger, despair, digust. How can Israel get away with their crimes in Gaza and the West Bank? Why haven't they been reigned in? Is the international community so toothless? So afraid of the United States and Trump's tarrifs? Afraid of big business?  There is a conserted effort to silence any opposition, any criticism of Israel's genocide, in the USA, the UK and elsewhere, I am proud that my country, Ireland,  is taking some kind of a stand but it is not enough. Restrcting trade with and arms sales to Israel should have happened years ago. Israeli diplomats should be expelled from every country on he planet. A genocide is ongoing, people are being deliberately starved, shot while they queue for food, and the world watched on. DON'T STOP TALKING ABOUT PALESTINE

They drop bombs on civilians They burn people in tents They bomb hospitals/schools/ places of worship They make babies die in incubators There are kids walking around, without limbs, without family. They block food/aid so a poulation starve with hunger They lure a starving population to their deaths by offering aid then shooting at them when they go to collect it. They block aid trucks. They kill aid workers, doctors and journalists They have barbeques beside the border fence so a starving population can smell the meat being cooked and hear the laughter while they are in despair. Their own media and politicians spout genocidal rhetoric This is the Zionist Apartheid state  This is Israel. Future generations will look back on this  thinking, how could they have let this happen? It is not like the 1930s. This genocide is being live streamed on social media. STOP!

People ask me why I feel strongly about the Palestinian issue. It have followed it since I watched the Rabin and Arafat handshake on the White House lawn in 1993, in the presence of Bill Clinton. Rabin was murdered by a supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu in 1995. AFFINITY I think my affinity with the Palestinians comes from Ireland’s colonial past. Ireland may be a mostly white European country, but many Irish people say they identify more with the Global South's experience of imperialism and colonialism. ONE ATTROCITY AFTER ANOTHER Cast your mind back to mid October 2023 when Israel bombed Al Shifa hospital. Joe Biden, at that time, said it was done by the other team as Israel would never bomb a hospital. Looking at the Gaza Strip now 16 months later and every hospital has been destroyed, along with most of Gaza’s infrastructure.  They just commit atrocity after atrocity and move on. Any criticism, from human rights groups or respected international institutions like the ...

 January 1st - Dinner in the Fir Tress And pints with the cousins A frosty night in Strabane January 2nd, a snow day .And a visit from Fergal January 3rd. A trip to Strabane January 4th - Saying goodbye January 5th - A long flight Arrived close to midnight, Lima time .  January 9th - Liam receives his swimming medal, finally Saturday January 11th. One of many pool days We'll leave it there

A collection of photos of Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Ireland 1. Photos from Christmas Dinner   2 Photos from Christmas Day   3 Photos of Boxing Day A good time was had by all

Here was Christmas 2023 for us CHRISTMAS EVE Ready to go out for breakfast and meet Santa Meeting Santa Liam posting the letter to Santa Then time to get ready for the evening meal. The Turkey Forgot to take any dinner photos. Too hungry. Kids go to bed. CHRISTMAS DAY Watching mass from Strabane at 6.30am Panetton for breakfast Opening presents Typical  Irish Christmas lunch at Molly's Irish Bar Dinner in the evening, of which there are no photos. BOXING DAY Boxing Day means football.  Playing with toys 2024 is a leap year so 365 days to the next Christmas Day Christmas is as far away as ever now Hope you had a good Christmas