Author Archives: jasonoruairc

A New Direction, Part 2.

I recommend that you read Part 1 first, if you haven’t already. It’s here. ~~~ The next morning Davy woke up early. This wasn’t unusual; in fact it had been happening more often over the past few months. He put … Continue reading

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Chadwick at Large.

26th July, 2013 My Dear Readers, I have come across an unusual discovery, which I would like to share with you. As you know from reading my column, I am a familiar figure at Belfast’s auction houses, and (although I … Continue reading

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A New Direction, Part 1

Davy Smyth’s life-changing event occurred at 3.27 p.m. on April 6th, 2012. He was late for his appointment, tired and irritable. He’d been on the road for nearly an hour already, and the journey should have only taken forty minutes. … Continue reading

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The Ten Commandments

I am Belfast City Council’s Health and Environmental Services Department. Thou shalt have no other wheeled bin. Thou shalt not use substitute receptacles. Except thy recycling bin(s), and they shall be used for the appropriate materials only. Thou shalt not … Continue reading

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La Savante

The view from the field is spectacular. Behind us rises the mountain, Round Seefin: domed, treeless, majestic. At the very top it is grey with scree, descending into dark brown scrubby heather, and then green patches of grass dotted with … Continue reading

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Service with a Frown

The Asia Supermarket on the corner of Agincourt Avenue and the Ormeau Road is an Aladdin’s Cave of delights. It is a hulking, windowless, rectangular block, which is partially obscured on the Ormeau side by dusty Rowan trees, and thick … Continue reading

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Racial Prejudice

Gate D, at Belfast International Airport, is drab, and cheap-looking. The shabby grey carpet and beige walls are brashly lit by fluorescent tubes set into the polystyrene-tiled ceiling. In a far corner of the room, one of the lights flickers … Continue reading

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Good Question

I’m tired this morning; not sleeping well these days. The sunshine glaring through the kitchen window hurts my eyes, and I blink repeatedly as I fill the kettle. The wee man is calm at the moment, watching a DVD. I … Continue reading

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Dirty Bomb

A short radio drama. The Cast: David: a trainee Environmental Health Officer. Jeremy: Senior Environmental Health Officer. David’s manager. The Scene: The interior of  the Environmental Health Protection Unit office, Linenhall Street, Belfast, July 2003. It is a Monday morning. … Continue reading

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Drumbeat

Pawel still hasn’t fully grasped the complexities of Belfast’s sectarian society. He is lying on the cold concrete of the entry. Yellow-edged, purple bruises are blossoming unseen on his body. Each breath stabs like a knife. He doesn’t know it … Continue reading

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